How to Cut a Dendrobium Orchid

Cut orchid blooms for vases three or four days after the flowers bloom -- after sterilizing the shears by carefully wiping the blades with rubbing alcohol. Cut either the entire stalk or just below the bud. Growers cut just the bud in the early or late flowering season, and the whole stalk in the middle of the season, depending on demand and fluctuating orchid prices. Follow this practice if you sell orchids.

Recut the orchid stems before placing them in fresh water. Use a sharp, sterilized knife with a smooth blade to make a clean cut. Add a preservative to make the orchid last longer.

Trim the flower spike at the emergence point, right above the soil, when the flower starts to die. The flower stalk will turn brown and fall over if it isn't cut off.