Cutting a Phalaenopsis

After your phalaenopsis has bloomed and hopefully remained in bloom for 90 or more days, the blooms will wither and die.  Don't despair.  It is simply time to cut the inflorescence and the orchid will generate a new one from that spot where you cut it.  You will need to have some really sharp pruning shears and that is all.  First, sterilize your shears with a lighter or even rubbing alcohol, you don't want to transfer any disease from one plant to another.  Allow the shears to cool or alcohol evaportate, then locate the bump or node on the flower stem that is just below the lowest flower on the inflorescence.  Now cut the stem about 1/4 of an inch above that first node.  In a matter of weeks, you will notice that the stem will begin growing from that exact spot, and will need to be staked close to the new growth.  Be ready for new blooms.  Every third time you do this, you might want to consider resting your orchid and allowing some energy to be diverted to leaf and root growth.  Blooming over and over can exhaust your orchid, and make it susceptible to disease.  When making a resting cut, you will need to take the orchid completely out of the potting medium, inspect the roots, cut off any foul smelling or unsightly (brown and mushy), and cut the inflorescense at the rhizome or root ball.  Since it will be covered in potting medium, after you cut the stem, make a little paste of cinnamon and water and spread that mixture on the cut.  This will prevent any disease or critters from entering the rhizome from your cut.  Hope that helps!

The Orchid Whisperer

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