How to deal with Phalaenopsis after the flowers fade? Detailed explanation of pruning positions and methods

Today a flower-growing friend asked Flower Valley a very strange question: Can Phalaenopsis still survive after blooming? When I first saw this question, I thought to myself, is Phalaenopsis so precious only because it blooms once and then it's done for? This way of thinking really strikes me as very unusual! If you were to ask: How should Phalaenopsis be handled or cared for after blooming? I would think that is a really great question.

So since everyone is quite concerned about the care of Phalaenopsis during and after blooming, I think it is very necessary for me to give everyone a rundown on managing Phalaenopsis during its blooming period and on how to handle and care for it after blooming. Before that, I want to tell everyone that Phalaenopsis can still survive after blooming! And it can even bloom a second time! Let's take a look at how that is done.

Phalaenopsis blooming period

Like many orchids, Phalaenopsis cannot bloom just anytime; it is even more delicate than other orchid varieties. For a Phalaenopsis to grow from a small seedling into a plant capable of blooming and then actually bloom, it needs at least 2 years of care.

Generally speaking, its blooming period is very long. Depending on differences in Phalaenopsis varieties and the care environment, both the length of blooming and the timing of blooming differ. The common blooming time for Phalaenopsis is around the Spring Festival. As for whether it is before or after the Spring Festival, we need to analyze that specifically according to different environments.

After Phalaenopsis blooms, it can usually be enjoyed for two to three months. After blooming, if we care for it properly, it can bloom a second time.

How to handle Phalaenopsis after the flowers fade

The flowers that Phalaenopsis produces are like beautiful butterflies and are intoxicating. Flowers bloom and fade in their own time, but when the flowers fade it always gives people a kind of inexplicable sadness. Many flower-growing friends feel that since the Phalaenopsis has already bloomed, it no longer has any value in continued care, so they just discard it. Little do they know that Phalaenopsis can bloom a second time.

So since it can bloom a second time, how should Phalaenopsis be handled after blooming? The way to handle Phalaenopsis after the flowers fade is to cut off its flower stem.

If it is to be cut, then cut it. But exactly how to cut it still has its finer points! The first cutting method is to cut the spent flower stem at a point about 5 nodes above the soil surface. This cutting method lets the Phalaenopsis bloom again in 2 to 3 months! Flower-growing friends who want to see the beautiful Phalaenopsis bloom again in the same year can try this cutting method! But then again, although this cutting method allows you to see Phalaenopsis bloom twice, reasonably speaking it causes a great consumption of nutrients. The growth the following year will be somewhat affected.

The second cutting method is to cut the Phalaenopsis flower stem at the soil surface. This way, a lot of nutrient consumption will be reduced, making the Phalaenopsis grow better the following year. The downside is that this year we will not get to see a second bloom.

However, when it comes to nutrients, Flower Valley still leans toward using the first pruning method. Nutrients, after all, can be appropriately supplemented by hand. As long as we care for it properly, it will grow beautifully the following year just the same.

No matter which cutting method is used, we need to be very conscientious about post-bloom care for Phalaenopsis: water when it is time to water, fertilize when it is time to fertilize. If fertilizer is not applied for a long time, it will lead to insufficient nutrients, and if you still want to see the Phalaenopsis bloom the following year, that will be difficult! At the same time, we should pay attention to observing the condition of the soil. Compacted soil is not conducive to the growth of Phalaenopsis, and we need to replenish or replace the potting soil in time. Otherwise, the aeration of compacted soil is too poor, which will cause the Phalaenopsis to die.

The time for repotting Phalaenopsis is generally in May. When repotting, pay attention to sterilization and disinfection, and appropriately prune its roots. During care, we place it in a well-ventilated spot, which is more conducive to its growth.