When do YOU prefer to cut your spike?

[Johan Stayple]

I have a lovely Dendrobium orchid.

It finished flowering (the last flower fell off) 7 to 8 days ago, and it now looks like this.



I have researched online, and come across 2 varying thoughts on when precisely to cut the stem....

• OPTION 1 - Some people recommend to cut the stem immediately after the last flower has died.
• OPTION 2 - Others recommend to cut the stem only when the normally green stem has become brown for the top two thirds of the stem length.

Which option has given you the best results?
OPTION 1 OR OPTION 2?

Thanks

[Hedge]

Hi Johan

I cut the spike off when it has all gone brown - so is that Option 3?
By good result - if you mean doesn't cause infection or other problems then this is a good result.

[dounoharm]

i cut dendrobium stems as soon as it drops the last flower, it doesnt make sense for the plant to work to maintain a spent stem....it is of no benefit to the plant....besides, they look ratty....gl

[WhiteRabbit]

I usually cut spikes when they are dead - long spikes I may cut of the brown dead portion before the entire length is dead.

[RosieC]

My understanding is that only certain types of orchids can rebloom from old spikes and that Dendrobiums like this are ones that don't.

That being the case on a dendrobium I would always use option 1. With something like a Phal I would sometimes use option 1 and sometimes option 2, generally depending on where the plant is in my home and if I want to remove the spike for the look of it.

[camille1585]

For these Dens, I cut as soon as the flowers have dropped. They won't rebloom anyway, and I'm just going end up catching that spike on something and causing a disaster.

For Phals, I cut them only when they're completely brown.