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Also, I had my orchid flowering and then naturally they fell off. I… | The Orchid Oasis | Comunidad de Planta

Lily

Also, I had my orchid flowering and then naturally they fell off. I haven’t touched any of the (spikes? Stems?) that they fell off of, but should I? Or should I leave it. This is what it looks like at the moment.

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8 comentarios

  1. Jen

    There are two schools of thought regarding what to do with flower spikes when they are finished blooming. Some will tell you to trim to a half an inch above the last growth node before flowers began developing, and you will potentially get a second smaller flush of flowers. However, for long-term health of the plant and a better bloom show the following year, I highly recommend just cutting the flowers spikes all the way down to the base. It gives the plant time and energy to devote to the very important task growing, and roots, which sustain the plant.

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  2. SueB

    I do not touch the spikes until the y have dried and then I cut them back to about a half an inch from the base of the spike.

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  3. Jen

    PS, it would be a very good idea to remove the water from the leaves and crown of your orchid. Leaving standing water on the crown and stem around the leaf joints can promote bacterial growth and cause crown and stem rot. It’s very difficult to save a plant once that sets in, so it’s best to prevent it entirely. Just water the media, not the greenery.

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  4. MeasomerPi

    Some people like to leave them. With proper pruning you can get second bloom cycle. If it is a progressive bloomer, then you’ll want to leave them. I don’t think that is the case here (based on branch structure). I like to trim it back to the base to allow the plant to focus energy towards new leaf and root production. I also think the following year’s blooms are bigger and more numerous than when forcing a second bloom. But honestly, I don’t think you can do it wrong (unless you are planning on entering your plant in a competition). Experiment with different solutions and you’ll find the right path for your plant.

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    • MeasomerPi

      Whoops. Late to the party. What Jen and SueB said.

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  5. MeasomerPi

    Totally unrelated - is that a chicken 😁

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    • Lily

      Hahaha it’s a pink take on a Kookaburra!!! My nanna sent it over as a decoration from Australia 😂 there’s a little kangaroo there too 😅💖 I felt the plant needed jazzing up a bit haha

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    • MeasomerPi

      Tell your nanna she has a fan in the US 😁

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