How to Prune????

[anaorchid]

Hi,

I bought anorchid this past summer and I was never told that it needed to be pruned. But now the stalk is browning. How do I prune my orchid? How much do I cut? I am really confused by the websites, and I don't want to hurt my plant. Thanks for any help!

[Amanda L]

By stalk I am going to assume you are talking about the flower stem. You need only to cut it down, about an inch from the leaves. Some people leave theirs in hopes that it will bloom again, but I cut mine, unless there is another growth on it. You won't hurt your baby by cutting the stem down.

[flhiker]

Hi anaorchid, and welcome to the Orchid Board. I need to know a little more info. What type of orchid do you have? Pictures would be a help. but in most cases you do not prune just remove dead canes, leaves, or spikes.

[anaorchid]

I wasn't told the type of orchid it is when I bought it (it had white flowers when it was in bloom). It now has one really long stem (its tied to a stick), with one stem coming off of the large one. Where exactly do I cut it? Do I cut the entire stem? Thanks again!

ps- i tried to attach photos, but my pictures are too large and i don't know how to make them smaller.

[Amanda L]

Does your orchid look similar to this? http://www.orchidboard.com/community...80&ppuser=7054

Here is a link to help you with posting photos http://www.orchidboard.com/community...chidboard.html

I believe there is a link to help with resizing too. It will definitely be easier and better if we knew what kind of orchid you have.

Also, if you have another stem coming off of the old one, you should wait to see what develops with it. But a picture says 1,000 words.

[anaorchid]

Thanks for the site - I was able to resize my pic. The new stem growing off the main stem is browning (it was an old growth from when I bought the orchid, it already had flowers on them). So, from the picture, where would I cut the stem? Thanks again!

I added a pic of the top portion of my orchid - as you can see, it is browning pretty bad.

[RosieC]

Hi anaorchid,

Your orchid is a Phalenopsis orchid, known as Phal for short.

You should cut the stem off. Where you do that is a matter of debate but certainly you should cut off all the dead brown part. It's not doing any harm but there is no point in it, it will never grow again and does not look attractive.

Personally I would also cut off the entire spike, right back to the base of the plant (as close as you can without damaging the plant).

Some people prefer to leave the green part as it may flower again or produce a keiki (baby plant). But this is not gauranteed. On the other hand by cutting it back you allow the plant to put it's energy into growing new roots and leaves which strengthens the plant. Given the right conditions the once it is ready it will grow a new spike and bloom again from that.

[Bookworm]

I would cut it right where the brown ends above the node, if you want to try to get it to bloom again off that same stalk. Or you could cut off the whole stalk at the bottom. This will trigger the plant to grow leaves and have more/stronger blooms next season.

[anaorchid]

Thanks for the comments! I am stressing a bit, because I really love my plant. When you say cut the entire spike, does that mean i go all the way to where the stem starts and cut it off? Also, what is the best way to prevent infection? Sorry for the numerous questions.

[flhiker]

I would cut it leaving up to a inch so you don't cut the plant by accident. You will be doing the plant good.