If you have an orchid or two in your home, you might be wondering what to do with the flower spike once it’s finished blooming. You may think it’s time to buy a new plant. Here’s the good news: with a little care, your phalaenopsis orchid will regrow these beautiful blooms.
Are orchid stems pruned? Cut the stem of a phalaenopsis orchid after flowering. Cut the orchid just above the node on the stem directly below where the first flower bloomed. This increases the possibility of a subsequent flowering cycle from the same flower stalk.
By following my tips here, you increase the chances that your orchid will have those beautiful blooms again, without having to wait for a whole new branch of flowers to sprout. I am focusing on phalaenopsis orchids in this article due to their immense popularity.
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What is the difference between an orchid stem and an orchid flower stem?
Many people use the term stem when they actually refer to the stem of the flower. The long, slender growth that rises from the vegetation of a phalaenopsis orchid and supports the buds and flowers is called the floral spike.
The stem refers to the thick, green vegetative origin of the leaves. However, I use the terms stem and spike interchangeably in this article to refer to the floral spike. I do this because some people caring for phalaenopsis orchids at home may not know the correct terminology. Besides, it doesn’t matter as long as we all know we’re talking about the same things.
tools for pruning
To prune, you can use scissors, a sharp knife or secateurs. When pruning your orchids, use only clean, sterile cutting tools. Otherwise, you can spread bacteria, fungi, or viruses from plant to plant.
To sterilize your tools, clean them with isopropyl alcohol or heat the blade with a flame. Your other option is to use razor blades, one per plant, and carefully discard the blade after cutting a plant. This reduces the risk of your orchids becoming infected with diseases and being damaged or dying.
Last requirement: after pruning, treat the cut stems with an antifungal plant treatment. Or use cinnamon from your kitchen, it is a natural fungicide. Simply rub a little cinnamon on the area that has been cut. Make sure the cinnamon does not come into contact with the orchid leaves or it will suck the moisture from the leaf.
Examine the stem of the flower.
What you do with the flower stalk depends on how it looks after the flowers drop. If it is green and healthy, it will stay alive and may produce a secondary spike and more flowers. If it is brown and dry, it will not bloom again and it is best to prune it immediately. Here is the process to follow in any situation.
prune healthy stems
On the stem, look for a node under the lowest flower. Cut just an inch above this knot and make a clean cut. When you do this there is about a 50% chance that a side shoot will start growing from that node, which should then flower again.
The advantage of cutting a flower spike in this way is that there is a reasonable chance that the plant will flower much sooner than if it had to wait for a new flower spike.
However, it takes more energy for the orchid to bloom again as quickly and the flowers may be smaller than before. Sometimes it’s best to give the orchid a little rest from producing those beautiful flowers.
If your orchid doesn’t look healthy, I recommend cutting the flower spike off at the base. This allows the orchid to focus on developing new roots and leaves and building up energy reserves to grow a new floral spike the next flowering season.
cut dead stems
If the stem is brown and unhealthy, there is no point in cutting the stem above a node. If the flower stalk has turned brown, the orchid has decided that flower stalk is dead and no amount of care on your part can change that.
Cut the stem down to the base of the plant. This is the best way to encourage the plant to focus on growing healthier roots and encouraging full bloom the following year. The healthier the root system, the happier your orchid will be.
Sometimes only the upper part of the flower stalk turns brown, while the lower part remains green and vibrant. I’ve had great success cutting the flower spike just above the highest healthy node, so give it a try.
This can sometimes result in a side shoot that grows quite low, but can gently spread out as it grows to produce a more upright display of flowers.
Pruning Double Spike Phalaenopsis Orchids
If you’re lucky, your phalaenopsis might have a double tip instead of a single one. If you have one of these orchids, cut the stems like this: Cut one stem above a node and the other stem at the base of the plant.
The orchid will not have enough energy to rebloom on both flower spikes, but focusing on just one will increase the chances of a secondary bloom without having to wait for a new flower spike to emerge.
Watch my video below to learn all about what to do with your phalaenopsis orchid branch after it has finished flowering.
You cut and you still have no flowers?
It can be frustrating… you’ve cut the stem off your orchid and you’re still not getting any new flowers. What are you doing wrong? There are five main reasons why your orchid refuses to bloom for you.
1. Genetics orchid
Sometimes phalaenopsis orchids won’t rebloom from the same flower spike no matter what you do. Just try to give him the best possible care and cross your fingers. Some plants seem to produce secondary flowers easily, while others do not. It doesn’t always have to do with the care you provide.
2. There is not enough light
Orchids produce energy through photosynthesis, so if your orchid doesn’t get enough light, it won’t have enough energy to bloom again anytime soon.
Ideally, orchids should be no more than a meter from a window to thrive. Orchids prefer light from above, so being too far from the window means there isn’t enough light. And without the right kind of light, your orchid won’t have enough energy to thrive and produce flowers. Additionally, any new growth on the plant will be small, with less vibrant leaves.
3. This is the wrong temperature.
Another reason why your orchid may refuse to bloom is that the plant is not kept at the correct temperature. Orchids are very picky about the temperatures at which they live.
Daytime temperatures should be between 16 and 24°C (65 and 75°F). At night, the temperature should be below 65 to 75°F (16 to 24°C), with a preference around 15°C (60°F). The need for these temperature changes is to encourage the plant to bud and then produce flowers.
4. It’s the wrong kind of water.
Are you watering your orchid properly? Yes…orchids can be a little temperamental sometimes. Tap water can sometimes be too hard, which can lead to problems with nutrient absorption and toxicity. Orchids thrive when you use distilled water or rainwater, so consider trying this if you’re concerned about the quality of your tap water.
5. Unhealthy Carrots
Check your orchid’s root system. If you overwatered, you may have damaged the plant’s roots, causing them to rot. Unhealthy roots are also the result of potting soil that has broken down and no longer contains the nutrients your orchid needs to thrive, grow and flourish.
Transplantation after pruning
Consider transplanting your orchid after cutting the stem, especially if you cut the stem all the way to the base. Why is this a good time? Your orchid will focus on growing new leaves and roots as it enters the vegetative phase.
Providing fresh potting soil and preserving the roots at this time will allow the orchid to grow to its full potential. Read my article on phalaenopsis orchid transplantation for more information.
Whether you prune the stem or not, the orchid mix will begin to break down within a year or two, depending on the medium used. An orchid bark mix is a good choice for transplanting; this mixture is made especially for orchids to allow good drainage.
Fertilize after pruning
You should fertilize your orchid every 1-2 weeks when it is not flowering, whether or not you cut the flower stem. Use a balanced fertilizer that contains all the basic nutrients the plant needs, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Make sure the fertilizer does not contain urea.
One thing to remember when it comes to feeding your orchid: they do better with too little fertilizer than too much. Many orchid growers recommend using half the recommended strength of fertilizer each week, rather than a heavier application less frequently.
Tips to make your orchid bloom…and bloom longer
- In general, you only need to rebloom once from the same stem to prevent the orchid from dying. Otherwise, you may see smaller flowers and signs of stress on the rest of the plant.
- Check the air circulation in the pot: Your orchid’s roots need air to circulate gently around them. You can achieve this by making sure to use an appropriate potting soil, such as pine bark.
- If your orchid is in bloom, make sure the roots have a chance to dry out between waterings. If the soil is too wet, the flowers may drop before they have finished blooming.
- Place your orchid in a room with good circulation – stale air can cause bacteria or fungal diseases to grow on flowers and leaves.
- Keep your orchid away from ripening fruit in your kitchen. Ripe fruits release ethylene gas, which can cause orchid flowers to die and drop.
- Never miss your orchid. If there is too much moisture on the flowers, mold and bacteria can grow.
- Keep the humidity around 40-70%. Low humidity can cause buds to shed and leaves to dry out. and brown leaf tips. Excessive humidity increases the risk of bacterial and fungal diseases.
frequently asked Questions
How long will it take for my orchid to bloom again?
Once the orchid’s stem is cut, the plant can start flowering again from the same flower stalk in about 8 to 12 weeks, but it can take up to a year or more. However, orchids do not always flower from the same flower stalk. In fact, if they usually only rebloom about 50% of the time from the same peak. Read my article on reflowering phalaenopsis orchids here.
Is there anything else I can do to encourage rebloom?
To help your orchid bloom again after pruning, you can expose the plant to cooler night temperatures. Do not place the plant in an area with cold drafts.
The buds of my orchid are turning yellow and falling off… do I have to cut the stem?
The term for this is “bud bursting”, a sign that your orchid is not happy. Some causes are insufficient light, insufficient humidity, too much or too little water or too much fertilizer. This is a good time to prune the stem, repot and fertilize.