Orchid is a beautiful flower that surprises its fans with a variety of colors and patterns. Under natural conditions, there are about 35 thousand plant species, which are found not only in the tropics, but also in temperate latitudes. The first orchid came to Europe in 1731. Her homeland was the Bahamas. Since then, she has won the hearts of Europeans.
After much experimentation and research, we managed to get a method for growing it, and now exotic lovers can easily buy an elegant beauty in a store. How to care for an orchid after purchase and other intricacies of communicating with a flower, read below.
Adaptation period
Acquiring an orchid is like having a capricious child in the house. A delicate plant requires attention and care, knowledge of the specifics of which will minimize grief and loss. Entry into the family begins with an adaptation period.
Quarantine
It is not necessary immediately after the purchase to develop vigorous activity around the flower. On the contrary, it should be placed separately from the rest of the plants in the house and left alone for a couple of weeks. This does not need a sunny window sill - it is better to identify the flower in a shaded place. You should not water it either - a thirst test will turn on hidden reserves in the plant and help you recover faster in new conditions. The actions of the host are limited to observing the leaves, so as not to miss the activation and spread of pests. If everything is fine with the flower, then you should not aggravate his chagrin with an additional chemical attack.
Light
Properly organized lighting is the key to flowering orchids, which are very fond of diffused light. Its deficiency is immediately reflected in the color of the leaves - they turn from dark green to light, and then turn yellow. Simple rules will help novice botanists:
- In summer, the orchid is protected from direct sunlight. For this, shading with a matte film or plastic is used.
- You don't need to do this in the fall. The plant goes to rest for laying and bearing new shoots.
- Daylight hours are at least 12 hours. With a lack of natural light, fluorescent lamps become the source.
Temperature
Depending on the natural habitat, the comfort temperature for plants is different. Orchids are divided into three groups:
- Cold lovers. They feel great at daytime temperatures in summer + 21⁰ and at night in winter + 13-14⁰.
- Moderate. + 19-23⁰ will suit them on a summer day, and + 13-14⁰ on a winter night.
- Thermophilic. They are comfortable during the day at + 19-33⁰, and at night 16-19⁰, and the difference in daily temperatures is not more than 5⁰С.
Watering
In nature, the roots of orchids are never in water, so an excess of moisture is detrimental to them. It causes root rot, yellowing and softening of the leaves. Plants tolerate drying out much more calmly. A signal that they need watering is the wrinkling of pseudobulbs and leaves. A lot of moisture is required when the orchid kicks out the peduncle, blooms and grows actively.
Orchids need to be watered with soft water - settled thawed, rain or simply boiled. In summer - after the top layer has dried, 2-3 times a week; in winter and during rest - no more than 1-2 times. The watering technique is simple: put the plant pot in a container with warm water for 10 minutes or pour it well from the shower. In the second case, be sure to let the water drain completely.
top dressing
A plant planted in a substrate does not need to be fed at all, since it contains all the necessary substances. The only condition is that you need to periodically update the soil. If the plant is still fed, then no more than 1 time in 2-3 weeks, alternating the procedure with watering. Fertilizers are used only for orchids and in the ratio indicated in the instructions.
Plant care after flowering
The flowering period of an orchid and how to care for it depends on its type. But the question “should I prune the orchid after flowering” is not worth it - it is necessary. Since plants of different species bloom at different times, pruning is done in different ways. One of the signs of the end of flowering is the acquisition of a waxy appearance by the petals. After that, the plant needs to be observed. Sometimes buds reappear on it. Therefore, it is better to take a break. If in doubt, then pruning is best done in the second half of autumn.
When to prune the peduncle after the orchid blooms
Since the timing of flowering varies from species to species, pruning is individual. If the peduncle has become brown and dry, then it should be removed. Pruning is done with secateurs, which are pre-boiled and treated with alcohol. Such a precaution will protect the plant from infection.
Do I need to trim the stem of an orchid after flowering?
If it is not completely dry, then you do not need to cut it - it contains nutrients that will be removed. This threatens that the next flowering will begin no earlier than in 6 months. If, nevertheless, a miss is obtained, then the stem is placed in water - children can form on it. When the stem is completely dry and has changed color, it is cut off, leaving a stump no higher than 25 millimeters. Disinfection of the instrument is carried out in the same way as when removing the peduncle. Hands are protected with rubber gloves.
Do I need to trim the leaves of an orchid?
Damaged areas are constantly pruned. This is done with a sharp knife or blade, which, at the end of the procedure, is wrapped in paper and disposed of. Dry leaves can be removed by hand if they easily separate from the base. You should not remove them before they completely die off: in the orchid, the process of transferring nutrients from the dying to the living parts of the plant is going on.
Do I need to cut the roots of an orchid?
The root system plays a decisive role in the development and life of flowers. In addition to the main ones, they have aerial roots that act as food traps from the air. Under no circumstances should they be cut. The presence of more than three aerial roots indicates excessive moisture. Watering should be limited, after drying the soil. The main root system is the subject of constant care and attention.
Orchids are best planted in transparent pots so that the roots are visible. A sign of illness and death is a change in their color. They turn brown and wither. Such parts must be removed during transplantation.
Do I need to water the orchid after transplanting?
To avoid the disease and death of the orchid, it must be transplanted once a year into fresh, non-compacted soil saturated with oxygen. After inspection, pruning and washing the roots, the plant is dried for 6 hours. During this time, the wounds dry out. Then it is placed in a pot and covered with fresh substrate, but not above the growth point and watered abundantly. To do this, it is recommended to first soak the contents of the pot well with warm water under the shower, and then put it in a container of water for 15-20 minutes. Then the plant is placed in the shade, where it is up to 10 days. All this time it is not necessary to water it.
So. Caring for an orchid, for all its capriciousness, is not difficult. Skill comes with experience, so do not be afraid of difficulties. Knowing the conditions for adaptation after purchase, the principles of how to prune an orchid after flowering, observing the lighting regime and proper watering will do their job - the wild beauty will delight the owners with magnificent flowers.
The orchid is an amazing, fantastic, magical flower that has captivated flower growers with a variety of species and colors, long flowering and easy care. There are several simple rules, under which the tropical beauty will delight you with her amazing outfit for months. However, flower growers face a number of problems when growing a flower. How to properly cut the flower spike, how to transplant the plant into another pot and do it with the plant after the time has come for the orchid to bloom?
Stages of flowering orchids
Orchid flowering begins with the appearance of flower-bearing arrows - one or more, on which buds form. The more flower stalks, the richer and more magnificent the flowering will be. The buds open gradually: during the day, the first one, closest to the base of the arrow, opens the petals, then the next one. Every day a new flower appears. Blossoming inflorescences - large, graceful, with a delicate aroma, amaze not only lovers, but also people who are far from floriculture.
Blooming Phalaenopsis Orchid
The location of the flower in the pot
Under the weight of the buds, the stems sometimes bend or twist. To prevent this from happening, they are tied to special sticks that are installed in a pot. For this, twine is used or special clips for orchids are purchased, which is much more convenient and looks aesthetically pleasing.
Fastening orchid arrows with special clips
Orchid flowering lasts about three months, in some varieties up to six months, with a frequency of 2-3 times a year. The frequency of flowering and duration directly depend on the care and conditions created.
Necessary conditions for flowering
- Light location, no direct sunlight. In low light, you can illuminate the plant with a phytolamp or a fluorescent lamp.
- The orchid is planted in a transparent pot, since the orchid is an epiphyte plant, through the roots it receives not only water, air and nutrients, but also light, its root system is involved in photosynthesis.
- Watering as the substrate dries, moderate, without waterlogging.
- Temperature regime: for abundant flowering, it is necessary to provide the plant with a small difference between night and day temperatures. Ideally, maintain 20-23 degrees during the day, 16-18 at night.
- The orchid does not like permutations, and any change in location, even a simple turn, can result in dropping buds.
- Weekly application of special dressings, for example, Agricola for orchids, where the composition of trace elements is selected specifically for flowering. In addition, the bottle is equipped with a measuring cup, which makes the use of this fertilizer convenient.
How to care for a plant after flowering
If the conditions for keeping the orchid were not violated, then after a few months the flowering ends. The process occurs smoothly: first, the flower that first bloomed fades, then the next one dries up, and so on. Sometimes it happens that all the flowers wither at the same time - this is a sign of an error in care. If an orchid has several peduncles leaving the trunk, then flowering can be long. When the last arrow fades, the process is complete. Until this time, it is not necessary to rearrange and cut the plant.
Video: cut the arrow or not?
Practice pruning at home
I must say that manipulations with the peduncle directly depend on the type of orchid. Phalaenopsis is the most common in our homes, and we will start with it.
If, after the flowers wither, the arrow began to dry out, then it is cut as low as possible, trying to save the sheet. A section of the peduncle, hollow inside, it is advisable to close up with beeswax or garden pitch, otherwise water may get into it when spraying, which will lead to decay.
The dried arrow-peduncle of the Phalaenopsis orchid is cut off completely
Often the phalaenopsis peduncle remains green after flowering - it is better not to touch it. After a dormant period, when the plant will rest, new arrows or babies will appear from sleeping buds.
Green arrows Phalaenopsis should not be removed
To stimulate the emergence of new flower stalks, partial pruning is sometimes used. At the same time, the arrow is shortened, leaving 3-4 dormant buds, from which new peduncles will appear over time.
Shortening the faded phalaenopsis arrow stimulates the appearance of new peduncles
When pruning an orchid, it is advisable to sprinkle sections of peduncles with crushed coal - this will save the arrow from rotting.
Sometimes flower stalks are removed completely for purely aesthetic reasons - protruding sticks spoil the look of the plant. There is nothing wrong with this technique, and with proper care, in due time, the orchid will release new arrows. The orchid is a fairly hardy plant, and pruning will not lead to its death, if at the same time it received the necessary care.
Pruning the peduncle of various plant species
One of the most popular types of orchids, Vanda attracts gardeners with amazing flowers that can be solid, variegated and with mosaic patterns. Wanda can bloom quickly at any time of the year for one and a half to two months. In a faded orchid, it is necessary to completely cut off the peduncle and reduce watering and spraying.
Faded arrows Wanda orchids are pruned after flowering
Aganisia is also a common type of orchid. When kept at home, flowering lasts 10–14 days, mainly in summer. When the aganizia ceases to bloom, the arrow is cut off, and the plant itself, if necessary, is transplanted and watering is reduced.
At the orchid Aganisia, after flowering, the arrow is immediately removed
Another interesting type of orchid - dendrobium has many varieties. Its flowering occurs through pseudobulbs, which should not be removed after flowering, as the plant receives nutrients from them to form new peduncles. You can trim the pseudobulbs after complete drying and falling of the leaves.
The Dendrobium orchid has pseudobulbs as flower stalks.
Cattleya attracts attention with large flowers with a delicate pleasant aroma. Due to the many arrows, it blooms for quite a long time. As soon as the first buds take shape, experts advise removing emerging new shoots. This technique will allow the flowers to open, otherwise the plant will spend all its strength on growing shoots, but it will no longer be able to bloom. Trim the Cattleya peduncle after complete drying.
Arrow Cattleya orchids are also removed after complete drying.
Features of plant care after pruning
After flowering, orchids enter a dormant period - a very important stage in the life of a plant. It is at this time that preparations for the next flowering take place, and, despite the nuances in the care of individual species, the general rules for creating favorable conditions for these plants are similar. This:
- transplant if necessary;
- bright and warm location, without drafts and direct sunlight;
- regular, but reduced watering - after each allow the soil to dry;
- top dressing depends on the season - in winter or summer it is enough to feed the plant once a month, in spring or autumn - twice.
For top dressing during the dormant period, you can use Bona Forte fertilizer for orchids - the ratio of trace elements in this preparation is suitable for growing leaves and roots. It is important to remember that it is impossible to fertilize an overdried plant, a sick one or immediately after transplantation.
How to transplant an orchid
Orchids do not like to be disturbed unnecessarily, so they need to be transplanted if necessary, no more than once every 2-3 years.
Reasons for transplant
The reason for such a procedure may be an overgrown plant trying to crawl out of the pot, as well as a pile of aerial roots. In this case, a transplant is necessary, but it is important to remember that flowering will then resume after a year.
If the roots of the orchid have darkened or the leaves have begun to wither, this is also a signal for a transplant.
How can a transplant be done?
How to transplant an orchid? To begin with, we prepare a new plastic transparent pot of a suitable diameter, 1.5–2 cm larger than the previous one. We lay out drainage at the bottom - expanded clay, crushed brick or pieces of polystyrene with a layer of 3–4 cm. Very important: the orchid cannot be planted in ordinary nutrient soil. You can buy a special substrate for orchids at the store or make your own. There are many options, but the main element is the bark, preferably coniferous. To make a mixture, pour the bark several times with boiling water to wash off the resin, and cut into small pieces of 1.5-2 cm. Then add 1 part of charcoal, sphagnum moss or coconut fiber and vermiculite to 3 parts of the bark. Mix everything well.
How to save the root system?
Carefully remove the plant from the pot and inspect it . If the roots are healthy, green in color and there is no rotten, putrid smell from the substrate, we transplant the orchid without disturbing the earthy coma. We install the plant in the prepared pot, lay the voids along the edges with the soil mixture and lightly press. Such a transplant will not harm the plant and most likely will not adversely affect subsequent flowering.
An orchid with healthy roots can be transplanted without disturbing the earthen room.
If the soil smells unpleasant, and rotten or dried roots are found in the orchid, then carefully cut them off with secateurs, after freeing them from the soil. Then we install the plant in a new pot so that after transplanting it is at the same level, without deepening. We fill the pot with the prepared mixture, laying the largest pieces of bark down. Take care of the soil.
Dried and rotten orchid roots are carefully removed.
Pour the transplanted orchid with soft, settled water through the pan and put it in a warm, well-lit place.
Video: how to transplant an orchid correctly and quickly
How to water a flower during dormancy
An important condition for flowering orchids is proper watering. During the dormant period, watering should not be plentiful - it is necessary that the soil has time to dry out. To fully saturate with moisture, put the orchid pot in a deep container and water it so that the plant is immersed in water as deep as possible. We make sure that water does not get into the rosette of leaves - we remove the drops with a soft cloth. Just a few minutes is enough for the substrate to be moistened, after which we take out the pot and put it on a pallet. After all the water has drained, we send the orchid to a permanent place.
When is the best time to transplant a plant?
When watering, it is important to consider the time of year. So, in winter, with a short daylight hours, all physiological processes are inhibited, so we water less often. In summer, with an abundance of light and heat, the plant grows vigorously and needs more water.
When growing orchids, there is no answer to the question: how many times a week to water? Everything is individual, and too many factors affect the drying of the soil: pot material, soil composition, air humidity, room temperature, proximity to heating appliances. For some, the soil will dry out in three days, for someone in a week. The pot became light, and the top layer dried up - it's time. A transparent pot also makes it easier - you can look directly at the root.
Possible problems when growing orchids
Sometimes when growing orchids, especially for those who first purchased this flower, difficulties arise. What should you pay attention to first of all?
The state of the orchid is determined by the leaves. In a healthy plant, the leaf plate is uniform green in color, elastic, shiny, rounded. A change in turgor, color, the appearance of yellowness or spots, a change in the shape of the leaves should alert the grower.
Dried flower stalk
After the flowering of the orchid, the peduncle dried up. Sometimes the plant decides otherwise to use the nutrients that are spent on the vital activity of an unnecessary peduncle. We cut as described above, and continue the care.
Why did the orchid bloom quickly?
Most likely, one of the growing conditions was violated. You should pay attention to top dressing and temperature conditions - the difference between day and night temperatures is about 5 degrees.
Orchid does not want to bloom
The possible reason is the same - the lack of difference between day and night temperatures, insufficient lighting, lack of top dressing.
The leaves have drooped
The leaves of the orchid have lost turgor, become lethargic. Probably the plant was flooded. It is necessary to remove the flower from the pot and, if the earth is sour (determined by an unpleasant sour smell), free the roots from the substrate, rinse with a light pink solution of potassium permanganate and plant in fresh soil. Monitor watering.
The leaves turned yellow
After flowering, the orchid leaves turn yellow. If one leaf turned yellow and fell off - there is no reason to worry, as this is a natural process.
Rapid growth of leaves and trunk
Leaves grow larger and stretch. The orchid does not have enough light and it is forced to build up the leaf plate, increasing the absorption area. Move the plant to a more lighted place or provide additional lighting with lamps.
Orchid is a grateful plant. Contrary to rumors about capriciousness and fragility, it grows and blooms beautifully in houses, apartments and greenhouses. To cope with it, if desired, it is possible for both experienced flower growers and inexperienced lovers. Only one rule needs to be strictly followed - observe the plant, listen to it, be interested, then there will be no fatal problems, and the rest can be solved.
With proper care and microclimate, orchids can bloom several times a year. It also depends on the type of plant, each of which requires certain rules of care. For an inexperienced grower, you need to know how to prune an orchid after flowering so as not to impair its immunity. Timely pruning contributes to the good development of the plant, and the exotic will delight you with its beautiful flowers for a long time.
According to the type of growth, orchids are divided into monopodial and sympodial. Vegetation of monopodial plants occurs from the top of the shoot, on which leaves grow in turn. In the axils of the leaves, buds develop, forming flower stalks or. This type includes: phalaenopsis, brassavola, angrekum, vanda. Sympodial orchids are similar to creeping vines and grow horizontally. This type of plant has a rhizome and pseudobulbs. It includes: dendrobium, cattleya, oncidium, cymbidium.
The opinions of flower growers about whether to cut the stem when the orchid has faded are excellent. Some believe that it is necessary to cut off a faded plant, others - on the contrary. Both points of view are correct, since the need for pruning is due to varietal characteristics. How to prune an orchid of one kind or another, you can check with the seller in a specialized store. One rule will be the same for all species - it is necessary to cut off the peduncle if it is completely dry.
Determining the trimming time
Different species at home bloom in different ways. Some bloom several times a year. Flowering time is from 2 to 6 months. A clear sign of the end of flowering is when the peduncle of a flowering plant acquires a waxy hue. But sometimes an orchid blooms again after flowering if buds appear on the buds. Often secondary flowering occurs in Phalaenopsis orchids.
To make sure that the flowering is over, you need to leave the flower to stand for a while so that the arrow is completely dry. When the orchid peduncle is completely dry and has turned brown, it can be cut off. If an incompletely dried arrow is removed, then the plant will take longer to recover, and flowering will come later.
Many believe that pruning of the peduncle should be done in the fall. As a rule, in early autumn, plants begin a dormant period. But keep in mind that each species has its own pruning features: for one, you should wait for the peduncle to dry, for the other, you need to cut the arrow immediately after flowering. Therefore, it is better to check with an experienced grower or seller how to properly prune an orchid after flowering.
Required Tools
You can cut the peduncle of an orchid with sharp scissors or secateurs, which are pre-treated with alcohol or in boiling water. This must be done in order not to infect the cut site. After the peduncle is cut, treat the cut with crushed charcoal or cinnamon. It is better to carry out the manipulation in rubber gloves.
Sometimes, after pruning, a plant transplant is required. Therefore, prepare containers for transplanting and a ready-made substrate for orchids in advance. You can also make it yourself. For this you will need:
- pebbles or expanded clay for the drainage layer;
- bark, moss, peat and coarse sand for the "ground" layer.
Orchids are very picky about the soil. If you do not have experience in soil preparation, then it is better to use a ready-made substrate.
When transplanting, pay attention to the condition of the roots - brown and brittle roots should be cut off, and the cut ends should be treated with an antiseptic. It is impossible to leave such roots in order to avoid diseases and death of the flower.
The process and subtleties of trimming
Pruning an orchid after flowering at home is carried out in one of two ways:
- Incomplete cut. The peduncle is shortened above the sleeping bud (1.5-2 cm higher). This type of pruning is suitable for a strong peduncle. In most cases, buds will appear from dormant buds. This may take from several weeks to several months. In some cases, the peduncle may dry out. Using this method, you need to take into account the ability of the species to form "children". For example, in phalaenopsis, at high humidity and sufficient temperature, daughter rosettes form quite well. But there are species that shoot strictly at certain times of the year.
- Full cut. Cut the peduncle at the roots, leaving a 2.5-3 cm stump. As a rule, dried arrows are cut off. What to do with the peduncle if the completely green stem is “preserved” for several months? Such a peduncle also needs to be cut. Depending on the variety of the hybrid, the arrows are cut off in different places.
Further care
Pruning an orchid is stressful for the plant. Therefore, after pruning, the flower must be given time to recover. This period is called "rest time" and, depending on the species, lasts about 2 months. Orchid care after flowering requires several rules. Watering should be moderate on a completely dry substrate. It is also necessary to regularly spray the leaves and substrate. It is better to reduce the amount of fertilizer.
After abundant flowering, orchid representatives move into a new life cycle - the dormant stage. During this period, the plant rests and recuperates for further development. The "sleep" phase is the best time to prune your orchid.
Proper and, very importantly, timely removal of flower stalks stimulates the active laying of new shoots and ensures the abundant growth of colorful inflorescences in the future.
When should you prune an orchid?
A beautiful orchid is finishing bloom. Her open buds, which until recently mesmerized with amazing beauty, drooped, the petals lost their elasticity, and the stem changed color. This means that the next life cycle of the plant ends and it enters the dormant stage. This period is the most favorable for pruning.
The resting phase usually lasts for two months, but depending on the species, it can be shorter or longer. During this time, the flower is gaining strength for further development. This period falls at various times of the year, but in most cases it is the autumn months. Phalaenopsis rests in October-November.
The flowering stage of orchids lasts quite a long time, from two to six months. Until it is completely over, you can not remove the flower stalks. This is a strong stress, loss of vitality, after which the recovery process takes a long period. Premature removal of flower branches will cause great harm to the plant and even destroy it.
Pruning should not be rushed, as the orchid may continue to bloom. If the tip of the arrow is green, then there is a high probability that growth will continue and new buds will appear. You just have to wait a little. Some species can bloom again, throwing out young shoots from lateral buds. This is especially common when growing phalaenopsis.
After flowering, the stem begins to dry out gradually. This is clearly seen in the changed color, which changes from green to pink-purple, and then to yellow-brown.
You need to cut the orchid after the complete death of the peduncle or part of it. During this time, the plant will draw out all the nutrients accumulated in it, which will help it to recover and actively develop in the future. Only the sluggish part should be removed. Cutting off a wet arrow will significantly lengthen the recovery process, and new inflorescences will begin to form a few months later.
Ways to remove flower stalks
Pruning of any plant is carried out in compliance with certain rules that take into account its appearance, growth and development characteristics, orchids are no exception. When purchasing a flower in a store, you need to find out from experts as much information as possible about its type and conditions of detention.
There are two ways to cut off orchid flower stalks:
- 1. the entire arrow is cut off at the base;
- 2. Only the part on top where the buds were is removed.
In the first case, the entire branch is cut off, leaving only a small stump 2-3 cm high so as not to injure the plant. In the second option - only the dead part, and the cut is carried out at a distance of 2.5 cm from the upper living kidney.
Only a sluggish peduncle, which has changed color from green to pink or yellow, is subject to removal.
If a living stem has fallen under pruning, it must be put in water. Perhaps a baby will appear on it after a while. During the hot summer, the chances of getting a young flower are very high.
When growing orchids, a picture is often observed when the plant has live flower stalks for a long time, but is not going to bloom and looks unaesthetic. In this case, stimulating pruning should be done, after which flower buds will wake up, new shoots will form, or children will begin to grow.
Of great importance for stimulating pruning is the choice of time of year. Early spring is favorable for the resumption of flowering, and in hot summers, the probability of plant reproduction is high.
To properly trim an orchid, you must first carefully inspect. The place of the cut is determined by dividing the stem into three parts, then the upper living dormant bud is found in the lower section. It should be cut off above it at a distance of 2-3 cm. With this method, the upper living piece of the peduncle will retain moisture and nutrients for the development of a new shoot.
When deciding on a stimulating pruning, it must be taken into account that the result is not guaranteed, and in some cases it slows down the laying of new buds.
What tools are needed for the job?
Trimming an orchid at home should be after preliminary preparation. We need to decide on the tool. It can be scissors, a knife, but it is preferable to use a garden pruner so as not to damage the plant. You will also need disinfectants. You can use brilliant green, iodine, activated charcoal or cinnamon powder.
Before cutting, the tool should be processed: first, keep it in boiling water or bleach for several minutes, then wipe the blade with alcohol.
The process of removing the peduncle must be carried out with rubber gloves to protect yourself from exposure to orchid juices and disinfectants. Trim the plant carefully to avoid unnecessary damage and infection. The cut is carefully treated with antiseptics - covered with a solution of iodine, brilliant green, sprinkled with activated carbon or cinnamon powder. If the peduncle is hollow inside, it should be sealed with beeswax to prevent water and putrefactive bacteria from entering.
How are leaves pruned?
Orchid leaves are one of the main parts of the plant and are responsible for its nutrition. The larger they are, the faster the flower recuperates during the dormant period. The condition of the sheet plates must be constantly monitored. If they are sluggish, yellowed, black or purple spots appear, you need to think about the trimming procedure.
Leaves should be removed only after the active period has completely ended, when all the inflorescences have fallen off, and there are no awakened buds and growing babies on the plant. Pruning is done in two ways:
- 1. sluggish leaf plates are cut off completely;
- 2. in diseases - only the affected part.
In the first option, the removal is carried out with a disinfected garden pruner, stepping back from the stem of the plant by 1.5 cm, so that a small stump remains. When trimming the bottom sheet, you can use the following technique. An incision is made on it with a tool along the midline, and then it is torn in half with the hands and separated from the stem part. You need to remove it with the utmost care so as not to damage the aerial roots or young flower stalks that are hidden under them.
The second method is used if the leaf plate is affected by a disease or pests. This pruning is gentle and preserves the healthy part. The cut should be carried out at a distance of 1-2 cm from the diseased area.
Removal is performed using a pre-disinfected instrument, and all cuts must be sprinkled with crushed activated carbon or cinnamon powder, which speeds up the healing process and protects against the penetration of putrefactive bacteria and viral infections.
Aftercare and plant care
Cutting off the peduncle creates a lot of stress for the orchid, and therefore it does not need to be disturbed for several days. Further care after pruning is aimed at maintaining and restoring the strength of the plant for a new flowering and does not differ from the standard content.
The orchid is at rest for up to two months, and in order for it to develop successfully after leaving it, it is very important to follow the following rules:
- create a temperature regime (optimally + 24 ° C during the day, - + 17 ° C at night);
- increase the intervals between watering (the substrate must have time to dry completely);
- stop feeding;
- provide diffused lighting, excluding direct sunlight;
- avoid close proximity to working heating devices;
- Spray the leaves and aerial roots regularly to maintain moisture.
When pruning in summer, the plant must be shaded from the bright sun. For this, light-transmitting curtains, blinds or a matte film are used.
To stimulate the ovary of new inflorescences, after the orchid has been cut, it is recommended to replace the substrate. When transplanting, an examination of the root system is carried out. All dried and brown roots must be removed. The cut sites are treated with disinfectants: iodine, brilliant green, cinnamon powder or activated charcoal. This will protect the plant from the penetration of infection and putrefactive bacteria.
The adaptation period is 4-5 days. Watering is stopped, occasional spraying is allowed to maintain moisture. Top dressing should be done when the active growth of green mass begins. A couple of months or a little later after pruning (with proper care), the orchid will bloom again. The time of release of new peduncles depends on the variety, type and condition of the plant.
Orchids such as phalaenopsis bloom twice a year. The period lasts about two weeks, and its other variety blooms once a year, but the flowers do not fade for six months. The time and frequency of flowering depends on the growing conditions, care after pruning and the plant variety. A wax coating on a flower branch indicates the completion of flowering.
After the appearance of buds, the orchid increases its biomass. There is no photosynthesis, but the process requires an increased supply of nutrients, fluids and an increased load on the plant.
Branches with dry flowers do not have to be cut off for all varieties of Phalaenopsis orchids. There are hybrids that use flower stalks during further flowering. Some species have annual flower branches. They bloom longer, growing flowers. Such an arrow dries up after flowering, the plant sheds wilted flowers. The arrow is cut off, leaving a small stump at the base. The flower begins to grow a stem from a dormant bud for future flowering. When this does not happen, the orchid dries the entire shoot to the ground, it is cut off. Pruning prolongs the life of the plant and increases the time it takes for buds to appear.
Pruning of flower stalks is carried out:
- the stem turned yellow, became lilac or brown;
- the flower branch has dried up;
- there are no flowers on the green branch for half a year.
If the arrow is partially green, buds may appear, the branch is removed when it is completely dry.
Pruned phalaenopsis and for the sake of beauty. After the orchid blooms, dried branches do not look aesthetically pleasing, harmful insects can settle on them. move to neighboring plants.
How to prune phalaenopsis after flowering
After the flowers have dried, it is time for the phalaenopsis to rest. Until a new phase of the appearance of buds begins, the plant can be cut. Using examples, you can figure out when a flower needs a procedure, and when it should be delayed.