How to prune orchids

Only a proper pruning completes the successful care of orchids. Inexperienced hobby gardeners often shy away from tackling their tropical beauties with scissors. However, pruning is indispensable for maintaining the abundance of flowers and vitality. Regardless of the breathtaking diversity of species and varieties, there are fortunately clearly defined maxims for blossoms, aerial roots and the like. The following lines explain how these are to be handled in concrete terms. The precise cuts for the four most popular orchid species Cattleya, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium round off these instructions in a meaningful way.

Before cutting

In order to cut sensitive orchids flawlessly, the following preparatory work is just as important as the process itself. It is important to take adequate precautions to avoid infection by fungal spores, viruses, bacteria and parasites.

• Carefully sharpen knives and scissors
• Disinfect all cutting tools meticulously
• Suitable disinfectants are high-proof alcohol or spirit

Alternatively, any germs on the tools are killed by holding them over an open flame before cutting. This technique has the advantage that after the cut with a still hot knife, the wound closes automatically and minimizes the risk of infection.

principle

Regardless of the species and variety cultivated, the following applies to cutting orchids Rule of thumb: Only withered or withered flowers, aerial roots or others are cut plant parts. This principle also applies when an orchid grows too large. Even then, experienced hobby gardeners only reach for the scissors when the plant parts in question have at least faded.

time

Orchids invest all their energy in bringing out the magnificent blooms. In order for them to achieve this masterpiece over several years, they need a break of several weeks to half a year between the flowering periods. Only cut back during this pause in growth. Depending on the orchid species, this period occurs at different times of the year. The flower unmistakably signals the entry into this phase by shedding its blossoms. At the same time, it stops sprouting new buds.

cutting bulbs

All orchids have thickenings as storage organs that arise from the rhizome. These are called bulbs or pseudobulbs. They usually reach a size of 15-20 cm and produce some leaves and a flower stalk. After a bulb has bloomed, it gradually dies. There should not be more than five of these pseudobulbs on an orchid. Surplus copies are cut off with a sharp knife as soon as they have no more leaves.

aerial roots

Numerous orchids thrive in the wild as epiphytes on trees. They develop aerial roots, which they use to absorb water and nutrients. They strive in all directions, form snares or entangle themselves with each other. This behavior is one of the unique character traits of these exotic beauties and should not be impaired by a hasty cut. In this respect, however, it is not possible to do entirely without cutting. Under these conditions you should cut the aerial roots of orchids:

1. Cut off a piece of an obviously rotten or diseased root.
2. If the strand is brown inside, the root can be cut off at the base.
3. A white to cream-colored aerial root is healthy and is spared from pruning.

Alternatively, spray a suspect root with water. If this does not turn green, it has died and is cut off.

leaves

Regardless of whether an orchid is in the dormant or growing season, one or the other leaf can wither. Since the tropical plants translocate, all withering parts of the plant should remain on orchids for as long as possible. Botanists use this technical term to describe a special form of nutrient utilization. The bulbs from dying leaves draw in all the remaining nutrients in order to use them. Cutting orchid leaves is therefore only an option under the following conditions:

• brown and black discolorations form on a leaf
• use scissors to cut out only these damaged areas
• healthy parts of the leaf remain untouched

A fully withered leaf has given up all the nutrients. It is so loosely connected to the pseudobulb that it can easily be pulled out.

blossoms

Individual orchid flowers are never cut. They fall off after wilting and until then give off their remaining nutrients to other parts of the plant. How to properly cut an entire flower stalk depends on the individual nature of the species being cultivated and is explained in more detail below.

Cut flower stalks on cattleya orchids

Adorable Cattleya orchids thrive predominantly as epiphytic epiphytes. They are among the most popular species because they produce exceptionally large flowers. These grow in clusters or individually at the end of the flower stalks, of which Cattleya species produce several specimens from the bulbs. Its flowering period extends through autumn and winter. The summer rest period is therefore recommended for cutting. Here's how to do it:

1. All the flowers have completely withered.
2. The stalk will begin to turn yellow.
3. Locate the green or papery brown bud sheath from which the stem sprouts.
4. Grasp the flower stalk and bud sheath with two fingers of one hand.
5. With the other hand, cut off both pieces just above the base.

It is important to note that neither leaves nor bulbs are damaged.

Cut flower stems on Oncidium orchids

Noble oncidium orchids captivate with a veritable rush of flowers on straight or curved stems. The long flowering period extends from mid-October to February. As a result, the window for pruning opens in early spring, when all the flowers have withered.

1. The starting point of the flower stem is on the side of a bulb.
2. Grasp the stem with one hand.
3. Make the cut just above the bulb.

Ideally, a maximum of 2 to 2.5 cm of the flower stalk remains on the bulb. The bulb itself is not cut.

Pruning flower stems on Phalaenopsis orchids

The genus of Phalaenopsis orchids is considered to be extremely easy to care for and has established itself worldwide as a classic for beginners. The tropical picture book beauty presents its wonderful inflorescence on short side branches. An outstanding feature is that it flowers twice a year. Based on this, the following handling of the pruning is recommended:

1. After the first flowering, cut the stem down to the third dormant bud.
2. An inactive eye can be recognized as a small bump on the stem.
3. After dropping the second flower, shorten the trunk until just before the bulb.

When pruning these orchids, pay attention to the aerial roots. These must not come into contact with the cutting tool.

Cut back the stem on Dendrobium orchids

The epiphytic orchid genus delights the hobby gardener in spring and summer with a magnificent bloom. These sit either along the very short or up to 1 meter long flower stems. In autumn, wait until all parts of the plant have withered to cut the orchid as follows:

1. Cut off the flower stalk just above the small stem (bulb).
2. Do not prune the leaves that grow from the stem.

Editor's conclusion

Pruning orchids is far less complicated than it might seem given the exotic habit. If you heed the top directive and only cut completely withered parts of the plant, you can hardly do anything wrong. The flowers should fall off on their own once they've faded anyway. Orchid leaves remain on the plant until they can be cleaned off with a light pull. Aerial roots only make acquaintance with the scissors when they are completely rotted. The treatment of flower stalks and bulbs is also no longer a mystery after this guide.

Things to know about pruning orchids

Basic information about cutting

• Only use very sharp and clean knives and scissors!
• Disinfect them before use so that no germs or fungi can penetrate!
• It is best to use a knife so that the delicate trunk is not crushed.
• Do not cut off wilted flowers, they will fall off on their own!
• Also, leave leaves on the plant until they fall off themselves!
• Do not cut green plant parts!
• Only cut back dead stems, roots and shoots!

There are two types of pruning, the cut after flowering and the cut after Death of parts of the orchid.

Cut after flowering

• This cut is designed to encourage another bloom.
• When all the flowers have fallen off and only the empty flower stalk is left, it can be cut off above the third eye.
• If you leave the stem standing, the orchid will sprout from the top bud of the faded panicle. This results in a long, bare stem with a few buds at the top.
• If you cut below, the plant will sprout again there. This just looks better.

pruning

• Usually some leaves wither after the second flowering. Then it's the right time to cut back.
• Yellowed leaves of the plants pluck off, cut back dried stems!
• Cut away rotten roots!
• Don't damage healthy roots!
• Most orchids will take a break after pruning before starting again.

Learn more about pruning