At the end of the flowering period, one important question keeps the beginner in orchid culture on their toes. Can I cut off the faded panicles or not? Read here when is the best time and how to do it best.
Orchid panicles should not be cut off hastily
Patience is required when cutting orchid panicles
The most important domain in successful orchid care is patience. Anyone who perfects this discipline as a hobby gardener will be rewarded by the queen of flowers with a lavish splendor of flowers that is repeated regularly. This is especially true when cutting wilted orchid panicles. How to do it right:
- Don't cut wilted flowers, just pluck them off with your fingers
- Only cut off the flower stalk when it has completely dried up
- Cut at the base of the stem without damaging the leaves, bulbs or aerial roots
As long as an orchid panicle is still green when there are no flowers, the scissors are not used. Some of the most popular species and cultivars, like the Phalaenopsis orchid, like to flower a second time. For this purpose, they drive out new buds from the side of the faded panicle. The part of the stem above it dries up and can be cut off up to the branch.
Correct cutting requires meticulous cleanliness
Using clean cutting tools is just as important as the pruning itself. Before cutting off a wilted panicle on your orchid, please pay close attention to the scissors or scalpel. The tool should be freshly ground so that a smooth cut can be made without fraying. The blade is carefully disinfected with high-proof alcohol so that germs, bacteria and fungal spores cannot penetrate through the cuts.
tips
Wondering if that tiny shoot is a new flower spike or an aerial root? Then please pay attention to the direction of growth. A flower stalk emerges from a leaf axil and rises steeply towards the light source. An aerial root, on the other hand, seeks a downward path to grow into the orchid soil.