Lady slipper question

[weez1959]

This is probably obvious but when a Paphiopedilum is finished flowering (single bloom on stem) do you cut the stem off? Or will it make another like Phalaenopsis?

[WhiteRabbit]

well some can be sequential bloomers, tho I think there would be a bud or two showing if that were the case. However - you can leave the spike alone til it either dies or buds lol. I don't have much experience with Paphs, so hopefully someone who does will chime in

[OrchidSue]

Paphs don't continue to bloom unless you have one of the sequential bloomers (Cochlopetalum section).

Susan

[jrodpad]

I was told by the orchid guru at my local greenhouse to let the spike turn brown and dry before cutting it back. Apparently the paphs absorb back some sort of nutrients from the spike into the plant after a bloom dies off - cutting prematurely can deprive the paph of these nutrients.

I only have one paph and it's in bloom now for the first time so I've never actually done this myself.

- J

[Tropicgirl]

I wait for the stem to turn brown then cut it off.

[weez1959]

thank you all!

[barkingsquirrell]

Originally Posted by jrodpad

I was told by the orchid guru at my local greenhouse to let the spike turn brown and dry before cutting it back. Apparently the paphs absorb back some sort of nutrients from the spike into the plant after a bloom dies off - cutting prematurely can deprive the paph of these nutrients.

I only have one paph and it's in bloom now for the first time so I've never actually done this myself.

- J

Oops......I suppose I jumped the gun on this last week. I cut the spike back after the bloom fell off. The top of the spike had started to brown but hadn't died back all the way down to the base. I was trying to help the plant save some energy since it is growning 2 new leaves. Now I know for next time what to do.

[quiltergal]

The little bit of nutrient that gets absorbed back into the plant from a spent spike is not that significant. As long as you are watering and feeding regularly it will grow and bloom as usual.

[barkingsquirrell]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

The little bit of nutrient that gets absorbed back into the plant from a spent spike is not that significant. As long as you are watering and feeding regularly it will grow and bloom as usual.

So now I don't feel so bad. I do feed it weakly weekly and water 1-2 times a week depending on the temperature. I suppose I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and next time wait for the spike to die back all the way.