After abundant flowering, the orchid enters a dormant period. The plant is restored for subsequent development. This is the best time to prune orchids after flowering.
It is important to carry out the correct removal of peduncles in order to guarantee abundant growth of inflorescences in the future.
How to understand that an orchid has faded
Pruning orchids after flowering is very important, as this allows the plant to fully relax and gain strength. It is very important to understand that it has completely faded. To do this, consider the plant.
In addition to young flowers and buds, on the stem of the peduncle there is a small process of green color. There is always the possibility that young shoots and buds may appear from this shoot. It can develop and provide flowering without stopping.
If the tip on the peduncle is green and lively, then this means that the plant has not yet fully blossomed. In this case, you can cut the peduncle slightly above this process.
Cropping need
Since the flowering period differs in different species, pruning an orchid after flowering at home is individual in nature. If the peduncle has become dry and brown, then it must be removed. The need for trimming the stem is determined individually. If it is not completely dry, then you do not need to touch it, since it contains nutrients. This threatens that the next flowering may begin no earlier than after 6 months.
Regarding the need for pruning leaves, you can definitely say that you need to constantly remove damaged areas. Completely dry leaves can be removed by hand, as they are very easy to separate at the base. Do not remove them until they die off, as they contain a lot of nutrients required by the plant.
When to trim
Pruning orchids after flowering is carried out when the flower petals lose their elasticity, the stem changes color and the plant enters a dormant period.
The resting phase generally lasts for 2 months, however, depending on the type of flower, it may be longer or shorter. During this time, the plant is gaining strength. This period often falls in the autumn months. Pruning of the phalaenopsis orchid after flowering is carried out mainly in September, since the plant rests in October-November.
The orchid flowering stage lasts quite a long time - from 2 to 6 months. Until it is completely over, you cannot remove live peduncles. The recovery process in this case takes a lot of time. Premature removal of the branches will cause great harm to the flower or even destroy it.
Pruning orchids after flowering at home is carried out after the complete death of the peduncle or most of it. During this time, the plant will draw out all the accumulated nutrients that will help it recover. Only the wilted part needs to be removed.
Tools Required
To trim the orchid after flowering, you will need tools such as:
- garden secateurs;
- gloves
- disinfectant;
- means for processing the slice.
The pruner is used for pruning, as this tool is designed directly for working with plants, it minimally injures them and does not leave any burrs, does not touch the leaves. But with an ordinary knife, you can damage the orchid.
Before starting work, it is necessary to disinfect the tool well. If there is no alcohol and bleach, then you can just hold the blades in boiling water to kill all the harmful microbes. To process the resulting slice, it is recommended to use:
- Activated carbon;
- brilliant green or iodine;
- beeswax;
- cinnamon.
Such treatment, just like tool disinfection, is required to protect the injured parts of the plant from the penetration of microbes and the development of diseases. In addition, the stem of some orchids is hollow inside, so there is a danger of water entering inside it when watering. As a result of this, it can rot, the whole plant can die.
Basic pruning rules
To enable the plant to recover normally for the subsequent formation of young shoots, only the wilted part of the stem is removed. You can shorten the peduncle at a distance of 1.5 cm from the sleeping kidney. However, it is worth noting that this method has a certain risk, since after the removal of the old stem, the growth of a new one can sometimes slow down. The reason for this is that the orchid directs all forces to the development of the kidneys.
You can trim the branch at the outlet. In this case, the remaining stem should have a length of 2.5-3 cm. Pruning should be done very carefully so as not to harm the plant. If several shoots leave the peduncle at once, then only that part that has dried up is removed. To process the remaining sections, it is recommended to use brilliant green, iodine, activated carbon. If the stem inside is hollow, then you need to cover it with beeswax, otherwise water will get inside when watering. This will provoke decay.
Peduncle Removal
Trimming the orchid flower stalk after flowering is carried out in compliance with the basic requirements and rules that take into account the type of plant. That is why when purchasing a flower, you need to consult a specialist regarding the conditions of its maintenance.
There are two main methods for cutting off the peduncle of an orchid, namely, the entire arrow is completely cut off at the base or only the part from above where the buds were removed is removed. Only a wilted peduncle that has changed its color to yellow or pink is subject to removal. If the stem turned out to be alive, then it must be put into the water, since it is quite possible that after a while a “baby” will appear on it.
To correctly prune, the orchid initially needs to be carefully examined. The location of the cut is determined by dividing the stem into 3 parts, and then at the lowest site you need to find one living kidney. You need to cut off the stem above it at a distance of 2-3 cm.
Leaf pruning
Pruning of the dendrobium orchid after flowering is carried out comprehensively and not only the peduncle, but also the wilted leaves are removed. They are considered the main part of the plant. The larger the leaves of the orchid, the much faster the flower recovers its strength, being at rest. Their condition must be monitored. If the leaves become lethargic and yellow, purple and black spots appear, then you need to trim them.
They must be removed immediately after the end of the flowering period, when all the inflorescences have fallen, and there are no growing children or awakened buds on the plant. Trimming can be done in two ways, namely: flaccid leaf blades are completely cut off or only the affected part is removed.
When the leaf is completely trimmed, the leaf is completely disinfected with a sanitized secateurs, departing from a nearby plant stem 1.5 cm.When the lower leaf is removed, an incision must be made in the middle, and then tear it in half with your hands and separate from the trunk. They must be removed very carefully so as not to damage the young peduncles and airy roots.
When removing part of the sheet, the slice should be performed at a distance of 1-2 cm from the affected area. All places of cuts must be sprinkled with crushed activated carbon or cinnamon. This will provide complete protection against viruses and bacteria, as well as accelerate recovery.
Plant care
Care after flowering and pruning orchids must be comprehensive. Care is not much different from ordinary events. In any case, the plant requires periodic spraying of the leaves. Moderate humidity ensures good growth and development of orchids. Spraying is carried out on both sides. In addition, you can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.
The pruning period is carried out mainly at the end of autumn, and then the plant goes into a dormant state. At this time, you do not need to make fertilizing or minimize the amount of fertilizer used. After pruning, you can transplant an orchid.