To cut or not to cut the stems of your Phalaenopsis?

A common practice to promote the growth of new stems is to trim the old ones once their flowers fall.  However, it’s not always the best idea!!

If you always trim the stems of your Phalaenopsis, the plant will get over stressed given it’s not it’s natural flowering process.  Don’t rush and cut the spike immediately after the last flower drops, there can still be some surprises for you there!!

If the spike is still green or reddish, the same color it had when in flower, leave it alone for a few weeks and see what happens!!  If you start to see that some of the nods of the spike start to puff up, it means that something new is growing from it.  We can say that orchids have a survival instinct and will try to propagate any way they can.

You’ll never get a second flower from the same node, but the spike can begin to grow a new spike from there that will give you flowers.  Or even better, you can be getting a keiki (Hawaiian for “baby”).

This is the reason why, if the stem hasn’t dried out completely, we suggest you do not cut it!!  Keep giving your orchid the same care, procure good relative humidity levels and enjoy the new growths!!

The stems drying will begin from the top down to the plant.  If this happens, you can cut the dry part above the new growths.