How to Cut Back a Dendrobium Orchid

Orchids are beautiful and popular house flowers. There are 28,000 species of orchids, including the dendrobium orchid. These plants can be highly adaptable, which makes them ideal as houseplants. They do take some specific care, but their unique, long-lasting blooms have endeared them to those who grow them. Many people seek to propagate their own orchids, to keep them for many years. Doing so requires that you know how to prune your dendrobium orchid.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears or scissors

Instructions

1. Cut back the shoot only once it's finished blooming. This is the only pruning necessary for orchids.

2. For mature plants (well-established plants that are several years old), cut the stalk back halfway. Always cut back to just above a node (joint in the stem). The orchid will rebloom or start a new shoot from the node.

3. For younger plants, cut the finished stalk completely so the plant can put its energy into growing new ones. New shoots will grow from the roots of healthy orchids.

Tips & Warnings

• Place orchids in the kitchen to take advantage of fluorescent lighting.

• Move orchids away from windows on cold nights to protect them from outdoor temperatures.

• Expect leaves from old shoots to die and drop off.

• Orchids will die if they receive too little light, or too much water.

References

• University of Georgia Extension: Growing Orchids
• OrchidWeb.com: Orchid Learning Center