Pruning your orchids once they have started blooming is recommended to get rid of dead leaves and give your plant better growth. You also remove any weak stems or spindly looking plants. Pruning at the wrong time of year, when just before the new growth begins, can be detrimental to your plants. This is because the new growth will take place during the dormant period between the new growth and the end of the old growth.
The type of orchid pruning to do depends on the type of orchid you are working with. Some, like the Phalaenopsis orchids, only need to prune once a year at the start of their growth. Others need to prune their orchids more often, like the Cattleyas orchids. You can easily tell if your orchid needs pruning by looking at the orchid leaves. If they are curling upwards then they are probably lacking the required amount of sunlight. If they are turning in to a ball then that means they are getting too much sunlight. If your orchid leaves are curling down to the side, this means they are getting too much shade. They should be a bright green in colour.
For those who are not sure what their orchid pruning tool is, there is a list below:
•Leaf Cutters – Gardening orchid pruning tool which allows you to cut your orchids cleanly and correctly.•Clean Clippers – Orchid pruning tool which allows you to remove dead or dying leaves and roots with distasteful ease.•arers – Orchid pruning tool especially designed to be your “isance neighbour” and act as a light dampner for newly cut roots.
Best time to prune your orchids
The best time to prune your orchids is when they are in their inactive stage and not blooming. This would normally be in the fall before the new buds begin to grow. Or, if they are in an especially active growth stage like the cattleyas orchids, it would be the spring before the new growth begins.
Orchids not blooming
Some orchids will not bloom if they are not getting enough light. This is especially the case for vandas and cymbidiums. Most vandas will bloom in spring, dry season or fall. Some, though will bloom later, in the summer for example, and some will even bloom in summer.
Therefore, if you care for these orchids and they do not bloom, simply move your cymbidiums away from the sun so they will get more orchid light. Sometimes, they will do the same.
Orchids with yellowed leaves
When your orchid leaves have turned yellow, it means they are having fun. They are! The leaves areimming over and under the body of the plant. This is normal for orchids.
Watering your orchids
Many people have the wrong impression that they have to be watered frequently. For most orchids, this is not the case. They require much less water than most people would imagine. Typically, you should water them every ten to 14 days or so. The surface of the potting media should feel damp. Not wet, not dry. If you feel the media is getting too dry, then you can add some water, up to the depth of the media. Now if it’s too wet, even water will cause the roots to rot.
If you are a beginner, watering your orchids will probably not be any different than watering other houseplants. They require water as long as their roots are not dry. All you can do to make sure the roots are not dry is to water them. You must be persistent. You will not be able to save them if the roots are already dried up.
If the surface of your potting media is dry, then the pot itself probably is. You can check this easily. Hold your hand over the surface of the media and see if it feels dry to your touch. If it feels moist, then you can wait to water and spray in small amounts so the roots can absorb the moisture.
If it’s not dry, then the pot itself probably is. Get a knife and give the media a few slashes. The media will absorb the water which will make the potting more suitable for your orchids.
If it’s not a plant, then the pot itself probably is a little dry. Get a glass of water or some synthetic soil and dump it into the pot. Wait for it to almost fill up and then water it. After a few minutes, set the plant aside and give it a drink. If it feels great, then you are doing what you should be doing.
