Different pruning techniques are needed for different types of orchids.
Justin Kondratis the lead horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection in Suitland, Maryland.
Monopodial orchidsgrow on a single stem that grows straight up and does not branch out.
Credit:Adam Albright
These orchids grow flower spikes, leaves, and aerial roots from a single growth point on that stem.
Phalaenopsis, ormoth orchids, fall into this category, as do vanda orchids.
Sympodial orchidsgrow from a rhizome or bulb and have multiple root systems.Cattleyas and oncidiumsfall into this orchid category.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
But no matter the throw in of orchid, it’s best to go light on pruning.
While some plants love aggressive pruning because it prompts vigorous regrowth, that’s not the case with orchids.
Pruning like this makes an orchid rebloom in 8 to 12 weeks about 50 percent of the time.
Sympodial orchids cannot rebloom on the same flower stalk.
They only bloom on new growth from the roots.
Dont cut healthy green leaves off an orchid after it blooms.
It needs those leaves.
you’ve got the option to trim faded flowers off a plant, though.
Leaves are the solar panels of a plant, Kondrat says.
Leave them on the plant so they can feed it and restore its energy after blooming.
Trim off a keiki once it has roots andput it in a potto start a new orchid.
Sympodial orchids must bepropagated by dividing them, not pruning or trimming them.
Pruning Roots
All orchidsmonopodial and sympodialneed to berepotted when they outgrow their pots.
I recommend repotting your orchid every two years, Kondrat says.
When you repot them, its a good time to trim them.
Once you pull the plant out of its old pot, examine the plant and its roots.
Trim off dead roots, bulbs, stems, and canes.
Pruning Old or Diseased Leaves
If a leaf on your orchid looks unhealthy, cut it off.
What does an unhealthy orchid leaf look like?
It may be yellowed, have dark spots or sunken lesions, Kondrat says.
After you cut off the damaged leaf, inspect the plant to see if theres a larger problem.
It may havemealybugsor a fungal issue that needs to be treated.
Orchids naturally shed old foliage.
Theyre drained of nutrients because theyve done their job, so you might trim them off.
