Should I cut the leaves off my orchid?

Overall, trimming orchid leaves is not necessary for proper growth. Any cuts in the plant are open to infection and, therefore, should be avoided. However, if your orchid has been infected by fungal or bacterial diseases, trimming off affected leaves may help to save the plant.

How do you tell if an orchid is growing a new stem?

New orchid spikes While growing, spikes remain green along their full length. Orchid spikes usually emerge from between the plant’s leaves, not from the plant’s center. Wait to stake a new growth until you see that it is in fact a flower spike and is as tall as the stake itself.

Should I trim orchid stem?

Do you trim orchid stems? You should trim the stem of a phalaenopsis orchid after blooming has finished. Trim your orchid just above the node on the stem directly below where the first flower bloomed. This will increase the chance of another cycle of blooming from the same flower spike.

Where do I cut my double spike orchid?

Follow these guidelines:

1. For healthy, green spikes: Find a node under the lowest flower bloom. Trim 1 inch above that node.
2. For unhealthy, brown spikes: Cut all the way back to the base of the plant.
3. For double-spike orchids: Cut one spike at the base of the plant.

How do you perk up orchid leaves?

Set your potted orchid inside another pot, or even a bucket, with no drainage hole. Add water until water reaches the rim of the pot. Allow your plant to soak for 15-30 minutes. Discard the excess water.

Why does my orchid grow leaves but no flowers?

Overall, the most common reason that orchids fail to bloom is insufficient light. As an orchid gets more light its leaves turn a lighter shade of green. Very light yellow-green leaves usually indicate too much light where very dark forest green leaves can indicate too little light.

What do you do with a new orchid spike?

You should not cut a flower spike immediately after an orchid has finished blooming. Instead, wait until the top section of the flower spike turns brown, then cut it just above the 3rd or 4th node. By doing this, the flower spike may produce a lateral spike from one of the nodes, leading to another crop of blooms.

What is the spike on an orchid?

Orchid spike – also known as ‘flower spike’ or ‘stem’ – is the part of the orchid where the flowers and buds grow in. Phalaenopsis orchids grow new spikes once or twice a year. When the spike is done blooming and all the flowers have dried up and fallen off, the spike starts to wither away and die.

How do I spike my orchid?

To get a new orchid flower spike, place the plant in an area with a lower room temp — about 55–65°F at night should do it. Placing your orchid in a window away from the heater might work, too. We’ve had best success getting new flower spikes in winter, when our homes and their windows aren’t as warm.

How do I Keep my phalaenopsis orchid alive?

Keeping phalaenopsis orchid alive. But remember to keep it out of strong direct sunlight. The growing media should be moist but not wet. Water the species once a week. Allow the potting mix to get almost dry before waterings. If the roots are green, that means the plant receives enough water. White roots are a signal that the species is drying out.

Can You repot an orchid while in Bloom?

For a newly acquired orchid, many orchidists like to repot as soon as practical. This may mean waiting until the orchid has gone out of bloom if the plant was acquired while blooming. The benefit here is to repot the orchid in a medium that is in harmony with the rest of the orchids in the collection.

How to care for your Phalaenopsis Moth orchid?

Care for Moth Orchids Light Requirements. The light needs of Moth orchids are easily met by placing them in an east or west-facing window where the plant will receive bright, indirect sunlight. Water Requirements. Feeding a Phalaenopsis Orchid. Bloom Time and Pruning. Repotting a Moth Orchid.

How much light do Phalaenopsis orchids need?

Orchids are also classified into three other groups depending on the intensity of light they require — high (3,000 foot-candles), medium (2,000 foot-candles) and low (1,000 to 1,500 foot-candles). Most orchids require plenty of light, preferably at least six hours a day.