How to Prune a Lady's Slipper Orchid

Lady slipper orchids get their name from the unique shape of their flowers. The slipper or pouch at the bottom of the flower is designed to trap insects. When they crawl out of the pouch, they climb over the flower's pollen and help to distribute it. Lady slipper orchids are one of the easiest orchid varieties to care for. Like most orchids, they need very little pruning.

Pruning shears
Isopropyl alcohol

Instructions

- 1
  Wipe your pruning shears down with isopropyl alcohol to sterilize them. Pruning wounds are ideal entry points for fungi and other pathogens. Sterilize your shears after each cut to avoid infection.
- 2
  Prune dead leaves at their base once they have lost all of their healthy green tissue.
- 3
  Prune diseased leaves. Lady slipper orchids are susceptible to bacterial brown spot, bacterial rot and a number of other diseases. Most are characterized by moldy, dead or discolored spots on their leaves. Prune the leaf back to its base or back 2 inches into healthy tissue.
- 4
  Prune orchid stems that no longer produce flowers or flower buds during the growing season. Prune the stem back to its point of origin -- 1/4 inch above the nearest bud -- or back to its base if there are no viable buds on the stem.

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