How to Prune Moth Orchids

Phalaenopsis orchid, commonly known as moth orchid, is the easiest orchid to grow at home. This variety has a bloom time range of up to nine months, and learning how to prune them properly can help you yield more orchid flowers. Read on to learn how to prune moth orchids.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small, sharp pair of pruning scissors
• A potted Phalaenopsis orchid

1. 
    
   Orchid flowers

   Watch your moth orchid. As it flowers annually, you will see several blooms clustered along the stem. There will likely be three to 10 blooms.

2. 
    
   Orchid flowers are distinctive.

   Trim each bloom at its base after the orchid flower has wilted using a sharp pair of pruning shears. Be sure to make a clean cut so that your plant isn't susceptible to infection or damage. In absence of pruning shears, you can use a razor blade craft tool.

3. Continue trimming the flowers as they wilt. If your moth orchid is otherwise healthy, you can sometimes encourage it to bloom up to three more times each year.

4. Trim the entire stem down to the second stem node when the flowering season is over. If you're lucky, you'll get immediate regrowth. Either way, next year when the blooming season for your moth orchid rolls around be prepared to sharpen those pruning shears so you can enjoy your orchid flowers yet again.

Tips & Warnings

• Moth orchids regrow their pot every few years, but the roots are fragile and should only be re-potted after the flowering season is over.
• Some orchids live for 150 years, be sure your descendants know how to care for your orchid flowers.