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.
Proper peduncle removal is important to ensure abundant future bud growth.
How to understand that the orchid has faded
Pruning an orchid after flowering is very important, as it 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, there is a small green shoot on the stem of the peduncle. There is always a possibility that young shoots and buds may appear from this process. It can develop and flower non-stop.
If the tip of the peduncle is green and lively, it means that the plant has not completely faded yet. In this case, you can cut the peduncle a little higher than this process.
Need for trimming
Because the flowering period of differentspecies is different, then pruning orchids after flowering at home is individual. 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, as it contains nutrients. This threatens that the next flowering may begin no earlier than in 6 months.
Regarding the need to trim the leaves, you can absolutely 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. You should not remove them until they die completely, as they contain many of the nutrients required by the plant.
When to prune
Pruning an orchid 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 can 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, as 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 can not remove live flower stalks. The recovery process in this case takes a lot of time. Premature removal of branches will cause great harm to the flower or even destroy it.
Pruning an orchid 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 withered part needs to be removed.
Required tools
To prune an orchid after flowering, you will need tools such as:
- garden pruner;
- gloves;
- disinfectant;
- cutting agent.
It is the secateurs that are used for pruning, since this tool is designed to work directly with plants, it minimally injures them and does not leave burrs, does not touch the leaves. But an ordinary knife can damage an orchid.
Before starting work, you need to disinfect the tool well. If there is no alcohol and bleach, then you can simply hold the blades in boiling water to kill all harmful microbes. To process the resulting slice, it is recommended to use:
- activated carbon;
- brilliant green or iodine;
- beeswax;
- cinnamon.
Such treatment, just like the disinfection of the tool, is required to ensure that the injured parts of the plant are protected 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 getting inside it when watering. As a result, it can rot,the whole plant can die.
Basic cropping 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 bud. However, it is worth noting that this method has a certain risk, since after removing the old stem, the growth of a new one can sometimes slow down. The reason for this is that the orchid directs all its forces to the development of the kidneys.
You can cut a branch at the outlet. In this case, the remaining stem should be 2.5-3 cm long. Pruning should be done very carefully so as not to harm the plant. If several shoots depart from the peduncle at once, then only the part that has dried up is removed. For processing the remaining sections, it is recommended to use brilliant green, iodine, activated charcoal. If the stem is hollow inside, then you need to cover it with beeswax, otherwise water will get inside when watering. This will cause decay.
Peduncle removal
Pruning the orchid peduncle 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 with a specialist regarding the conditions of its maintenance.
There are two main methods of cutting off the peduncle of an orchid, namely, the entire arrow is cut off completely at the base, or only the top part where the buds were is removed. Only a faded peduncle that has changed its color is subject to removal.to yellow or pink. If the stem turned out to be alive, then it must be put in water, since it is quite possible that after a while a "baby" will appear on it.
In order to properly prune, the orchid must first be examined very carefully. The location of the cut is determined by dividing the stem into 3 parts, and then in the lowest section you need to find one living kidney. You need to cut off the stem above it at a distance of 2-3 cm.
Pruning leaves
Pruning the dendrobium orchid after flowering is carried out in a complex manner and not only the peduncle is removed, but also the withered leaves. They are considered the main part of the plant. The more leaves the orchid has, the much faster the flower restores its strength while at rest. Their condition must be monitored. If the leaves become lethargic and yellow, purple and black spots appear, then you need to prune them.
You need to remove them immediately after the end of the flowering period, when all the inflorescences fall off, and there are no growing children and awakened buds on the plant. Pruning can be done in two ways, namely: sluggish leaf blades are completely cut off or only the affected part is removed.
When completely pruning a leaf with a disinfected pruner, completely cut off the leaf, stepping back from the adjacent stem of the plant 1.5 cm. They must be removed very carefully so as not to damage the youngpeduncles and aerial roots.
When removing a part of a leaf, the cut should be made 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 ensure complete protection against the penetration of viruses and bacteria, as well as speed up recovery.
Plant care
Care after flowering and pruning orchids must be comprehensive. Care is not much different from carrying out ordinary activities. The plant in any case requires periodic spraying of the leaves. Moderate humidity guarantees good growth and development of the orchid. 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 fertilize or minimize the amount of fertilizer applied. After pruning, you can transplant the orchid.
