The flower spikes on your orchids are where all the magic happens—it’s where those gorgeous, exotic buds develop into the stunning blooms we all love. To keep those stems healthy and ensure your plant keeps pushing out new growth, a little TLC goes a long way.
Understanding Different Growth Habits
With thousands of orchid species out there, they don’t just differ in color and shape; they also grow in very different ways. Generally, you can categorize orchids into two main groups based on how their stems grow:
- Monopodial (single-stem growth)
- Sympodial (multi-stem growth)
Monopodial Orchids
Monopodial orchids grow from a single upward stem. For these varieties, a flower spike usually only blooms once. Once those flowers have faded and fallen off, you won’t see any more action on that specific spike, so don’t wait around for a second show on the same stem!
Sympodial Orchids
Sympodial orchids are a bit different. These plants have the potential to grow new buds on the same stem for a second round of flowering. The super-popular Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) is a classic example of a plant that loves to rebloom on an existing spike.
The Golden Rule: Never Cut Green Stems
No matter what kind of orchid you’re growing, there’s one rule you should always follow: never cut a stem while it’s still green. This applies whether the plant is currently in bloom or just hanging out. As long as the stem is green, it’s still providing the plant with vital water and nutrients. Think of it as a little energy reservoir you don’t want to toss away!
You should only reach for the shears once the stem has completely dried out and turned brown. When that happens, use a sharp, sterilized knife or garden snips to cut it off as close to the base as possible. This goes for the main spike as well as any dried-out side branches. Just be careful not to nick the healthy leaves or roots while you’re at it.
How to Encourage New Growth
After the blooming period ends, most orchids like to take a little nap. During this dormant phase, they won’t put out new stems, leaves, or flowers. If you want to wake up your sleeping orchid and encourage new growth, try moving it to a slightly cooler spot. While it’s chilling out, cut back on the watering—just give the aerial roots and leaves a light misting now and then. You should also stop fertilizing completely during this time.
After a few weeks in the cool air, your orchid will usually get the hint and start producing new shoots. As soon as you see that fresh green growth appearing, you can move it back to its favorite sunny spot and resume your normal care routine.
