Growing Orchids at Home. What Should We Do When the Wonderful Flowers Fade?
Orchids look like plants from a fairy tale. They astonish us with their colorful flowers blooming for months. Still, something has to be done when the flowers fade. Should we trim the flowering stem or leave the job for the nature?
An orchid without flowers
When the pretty flowers fade, the orchid no longer looks co cute. This is when we carry it somewhere less visible.
And we forget about it. This is a big mistake, though. This will make the whole plant fade and go dry. To prevent it, you have to take good care of the flowerless plant.
What to do with the stem?
If the shoots remain green after the flowers fall off, they shouldn’t be cut. There is a chance that new buds will develop. However, usually the old shoots begin to wither away. The process might stop in any spot or continue up to the flower base (the place from which leaves grow out)
If you notice a slight swelling on a green stem it means that the withering process has stopped and you can cut off the old stem. Do it with a sterile tool. Cut off only the withered part, right above the green bit. If the whole stem has gone dry, cut it as low as possible (just over the leaves).
Time to recover
After trimming the stems, the plant has to be given some time before it blooms again. Move your orchid into somewhere cooler and darker. The best temperature range is 16 – 20 C. Window sill with western exposure is also recommended. Do not water or fertilize the plant for 2 – 3 weeks. Once you start watering it, make sure the medium is only slightly damp. When new stems, green leaves and new leaves appear, it is a symptom of vegetation and you can soon expect new flowers.
If you have your own ways of taking care of orchids, let us know in a comment.
