Spent flowers

[Liodoro]

Hi, I am worried that this might be a really daft question but I'm going to ask anyway.

When flowers fade and drop off of their own accord does it make any sense to let them sit on top of the bark? I mean would they contribute any mulch/nutrient properties? I suppose I imagining that in the wild there would be a build-up of debris from the orchids shedding above which might be helpful in their growth?

I am a total beginner but this just crossed my mind.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

I can't say with any amount of certainty, but when I was just starting g out I was taught to always remove any fallen blooms or leaf material. I was told it keeps infection and disease from being spread. Someone with more or different experience will chime I, I'm sure.

And the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

[Liodoro]

Thank you!

[SADE2020]

Hahaha I think is a great question and kind of "romantic" in some way. However, I am more practical than this, and my logical tell me that everything that could rot and attract insects and fungus, should be remove. I bet in Nature it will probably be the best fertilizer... (I think @Fakename one of our members, has in his signature that "he fertilize with the ashes of death orchids") 😂😂