Should You Prune Your Orchids?

Orchid plants should be cut back to 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the base of the plant when they are young to ensure stronger roots, bigger leaves, and larger blooms. If your orchid is a Dendrobium type, trimming is different. If you need to rein in unruly growth, trim back an orchid to fit its spot on your desk, remove leaves, or repot. While pruning isn’t a necessary part of orchid care, it is important to trim the stem occasionally, even on moth orchids. This is sometimes case if the orchid stem is turning yellow.

The step-by-step pruning process for orchids involves trimming spikes, removing dead or damaged leaves, and cutting unhealthy roots. Use sterilized, sharp tools for clean cuts. Trimming unhealthy or dead structures on your orchid can help it conserve energy and redirect growth into more aesthetically pleasing directions. It can also shift the plant from one stage of growth to another.

The first indication that it’s time to trim is when the stalk begins to yellow or brown and you know that it will no longer flower. Pruning an orchid involves removing dead or dying roots, spent flower spikes, and diseased leaves to keep the plant healthy and encourage new growth. It may seem intimidating to prune your orchid, but it is important to control its growth, remove diseased leaves, and get it ready for repotting.

Orchid leaves generally do not require pruning, but after the flowers fall off, it is generally a good idea to trim the stems. For healthy, green spikes, find a node under the lowest flower bloom and trim 1 inch above that node, or bump, on the orchid spike. For unhealthy spikes, it is time to trim the orchid stem to allow the orchid to regenerate and prepare to re-bloom.


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Should You Prune Your Orchids?
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