Known as the butterfly orchid, the Phalaenopsis now decorates many living rooms. It is usually traded as a pot flower. Although the care required is not very high, the plant can hardly be described as undemanding or easy to cut.
How do I cut a Phalaenopsis orchid correctly?
Phalaenopsis orchids should be cut as little as possible. For young plants, cut off the spent stem at the base after flowering. For older plants, cut the flower stem two to three centimeters above the third eye from below to encourage re-blooming.
Does a Phalaenopsis need to be cut regularly?
The Phalaenopsis is not one of the flowers that should be pruned regularly. On the contrary, it can react sensitively to treatment with the knife. Pruning may be necessary from time to time. However, if possible, you should never prune the leaves. If they are wilted, they can be easily picked off.
When should I prune my Phalaenopsis?
After flowering, cutting back the flower stems can encourage the plant to bloom again. To do this, cut it from below about two to three centimeters above the third eye. However, this only makes sense for older orchids. Young plants often cannot tolerate a second flowering after a short time. Here it is better to cut off the withered stem directly at the base.
Cutting the phalaenopsis for the vase
It makes little sense to cut a phalaenopsis for a vase because the flower lasts about four times as long in a pot. However, if the stem of your Phalaenopsis breaks during transport, for example, then the vase may be a good solution. In this case, cut the stem slightly above the bend.
Then place your Phalaenopsis in a vase with lukewarm water. By cutting occasionally and watering regularly with lukewarm water, you can extend the life of the plant to around four weeks. The right location is also important, because even as a cut flower the butterfly orchid is sensitive to drafts.
The most important things in brief:
- cut as little as possible
- Prune young plants after flowering
- On older orchids, only cut off really dry or diseased plant parts
Tip
On your Phalaenopsis, only cut off the flower stem to the extent that it has already dried out, so that new flowers can form on the branches.
