Along with the flowering period, an important point is the subsequent care of the plants. In this case, it is necessary not only to provide favorable conditions, but also to decide what to do with the arrows and stems. This is especially true of orchids, which are considered one of the most finicky flowers. It is worthwhile to figure out how to care for the orchid after it has bloomed.
Orchid Flowering Period
Flowering time is specific for each variety. Creating favorable conditions will allow the orchid to grow and bloom for a longer time. What to do with an orchid after flowering at home?
Orchid bloom
Experienced flower growers know that repeated flowering can occur only if a number of conditions are met. The first (and most important) - the leg should be healthy. Plant age is also important. Early flowering can destroy plants that are too young, which creates a risk of the flower not recovering. It is easy to distinguish between an adult and a young plant: an adult orchid should have at least 5 branches, 7-8 for it is considered a standard indicator.
Important information! It takes less time to process orchids growing strictly vertically than for orchids growing with the formation of bushes.
Another factor that guarantees repeated flowering is the availability of regular lighting. Reducing watering and lowering the temperature for several days may stimulate the appearance of new flowers. When the buds grow, proper watering is necessary. Spraying is recommended during the heating season. Excessive use of nitrogenous additives adversely affects the development of the plant.
What should be done with the peduncle
Do not cut the arrow on which the flowers were located. Over time, new shoots may form on the peduncle, and a young flower bud may appear from a shortened stem. If necessary, the peduncle is shortened to a height of 1 cm above the last sleeping embryo. This leads to the formation of new side arrows. Flowering on the side branch is usually not so pronounced in comparison with only a faded branch.
Stalk pruning
There are three ways to treat flower stems:
- Pruning. Green phalaenopsis inflorescences form new flowers. Patience is important at this stage, as they can form within 1-3 months after the previous flower has fallen. Some gardeners prefer to cut the pedicel arrows. In the spring, a series of annoying pruning arrows is held. To do this, the plant is incised 2-2.5 cm above the sleeping bud. Phalaenopsis has an optimal breeding season - summer.
- It is recommended to remove dry dark arrows. Do this only after the flowers are completely dry. From the wilted stems of the inflorescence, the nutrients accumulated during flowering enter the plant. They are necessary for further recovery and growth. Dried flower buds are trimmed at a height of about 2 cm from the base. In a few months, under optimal conditions, orchids will form new inflorescences. Sleeping buds can form new shoots.
- Premature orchid pruning delays the recovery period and phalaenopsis bloom by at least six months. If the drying does not extend further along the flower, it is worth cutting the arrow with the flowers on living tissue. Sleeping buds may subsequently bloom. Pruning flower arrows above the buds at a height of 1.5-2 cm will allow you to efficiently propagate phalaenopsis.
Additional Information! There is no urgent need to cut the green pedicels immediately after flowering.
Orchid Arrow: Trim Or Not
After flowering, orchids are allowed to cut the peduncle. The condition is mandatory for Cumbria, Cymbidium and Oncidium orchid varieties. More kidneys do not guarantee a positive result. Orchid bloomed what to do with the arrow? In miltonia, it is recommended to clean the pedicels "in advance" at the beginning of their direct withering. No need to wait until the flowers fall completely.
The difference between partial and full deletion
Pruning a home plant is only required when the arrow is dry. If there are still living inflorescences on it that have not blossomed, it is better not to touch them and wait for the appearance of new flowers. It is important to remember that the plant accumulates nutrients in pseudobulbs. In general, plants with faded stems look unsightly.
Removing the pedicel is easy. After the orchid has faded, it is trimmed with a knife, scissors or pruner. Tools should be disinfected first. It is recommended to leave the buds about 1 cm and process slices with chopped charcoal or other means. Orchid bloomed what to do next? Some experts offer to "seal" areas with natural beeswax.
It's important to know! Most orchids are characterized by hollow stems. When watering after removing the pedicels, it is important to be careful, because if water gets inside the stem, it can lead to decay and fading of withered orchids.
If the arrows on the slice have buds, they can be used as planting material, which propagates on cuttings.
Partial cropping
Partial contraction of the arrow is one of the possible solutions. The method is best suited for phalaenopsis. Studying the stems will reveal the presence of "sleeping buds" in plants, from which "babies" and lateral inflorescences appear. In this case, experienced flower growers cut the stem after it has become dry, but not completely, but at a certain distance from the buds. The result of flowering is new leaves and aerial roots.
Partial circumcision
Interesting! A dry and cool microclimate will increase the likelihood of boom formation, while a wet and warm microclimate will facilitate reproduction.
If the wilted phalaenopsis orchid dries, its stem will begin to turn yellow. In this case, it is removed to the lowest shoots.
What to do with the stem
To understand what to do with an orchid after flowering at home, it is important to understand how to deal with the stem. There is a step-by-step algorithm of actions:
- Trim the sheet in the midline to the bottom.
- Carefully remove the two halves from the stem with your hands.
- Do not water the orchid for several days. The wound must be dry in order to prevent the destruction of the flower.
Dry and yellowed leaves are likewise removed. If they are green, but dry, it’s worth the wait, perhaps elasticity will return to them. If they still begin to turn yellow, it is important to wait until they are completely dry, and then cut off. Under the remote leaves you can find everything: from young aerial roots to new arrows that began to form. Which transplant algorithm is decided by the grower in relation to local conditions.
How to transplant an orchid after flowering?
Orchid owners try not to get involved in transplants. This is usually done every two to three years. The fact is that the process is accompanied by stress for the plant: the stall of flowers inhibits the growth of rhizomes. The date of transplantation depends on the variety of orchids. A transplant is done only in the spring.
Orchid transplant
When new shoots appear, "slippers", oncidiums and cattleya move into a separate pot (do not wait until they begin to take root). A signal for a phalaenopsis transplant is a fresh tip near the root. If the orchid is rotten, the flower needs salvation. The reasons for an emergency transplant may be:
- root rot;
- the appearance of pests;
- degraded substrates (soil);
- rhizomes do not fit in the pot.
You should know! Hard water (high content of iron and other heavy impurities) accelerates the process of salinization and decomposition of the soil, which negatively affects how the orchid fades.
Dormancy after flowering
Orchid is resting in the cold season. Plant care during this period has its own characteristics. The problem of watering is solved by reducing the number of procedures. The base should dry. The standard rest period between irrigation is no more than one and a half weeks. Water is removed. For orchids on the cold side, there is a risk of low temperature at the roots, so the drainage device should be high.
The flowers should be kept dry otherwise there is a risk of bacteria and fungi. For thermal insulation, you can put a foam sheet under a flower pot, or place the plant in a container with a high bottom. It is necessary to timely identify diseases and pests, apply effective means of combating them. Preventive action is also needed.
Features of care at rest
Most hybrid indoor varieties are not sprayed in winter. Stagnant moisture can cause decomposition. On the other hand, excessively dry air (up to 40% humidity) creates the conditions for the appearance of pests. To avoid this disaster, a humidifier should be turned on regularly. In the future, this will help to understand how to care for an orchid after flowering.
Temperature from +15 ℃ in the evening to +23 ℃ in the afternoon is considered comfortable. A difference of 5-6 ℃ affects the flowering rate. The temperature regime is regulated by opening the window at night.
Airing is extremely useful, but you cannot leave flowers in the draft (risk of hypothermia). Orchids love the light. The height of the lighting equipment (usually fluorescent) is 20 cm above the flower. Above 30 cm is not recommended. The main thing is not to place too strong a searchlight (60 W is enough).
Additional Information! In dim light, the leaves stretch and become dull in color.
In winter, fertilizing with fertilizers is carried out no more than once a month or even less. At lower ambient temperatures, flowers “digest” nutrients worse and fertilize longer, which may ultimately prevent them from blooming.
Care for orchids during dormancy and after flowering has features. Knowing the rules for growing individual varieties, even an inexperienced florist will successfully cope with this task.
