What Do You Do After Blossoms Come Off an Orchid Plant?

Clean the Planter

• Remove fallen blossoms and leaves from the planter. Blooms and leaves left in the soil become hosts for fungi, bacteria and pests that move on to attack the stem and roots of the orchid, leading to a dead or severely weakened orchid. Fungi and bacteria that get into the soil necessitate a new planter and fresh soil the following growing season, which stresses the orchid if it has already been repotted once. Keep the surface of the soil clean.

Prune the Orchid

• Pruning the remaining stem and leaves from the orchid prevents fungi and bacteria from entering the plant during the dormant season. Orchids produce new stems each growing season, so it is important to remove the old stem to allow for fresh growth. Wait until the stem has turned yellow or brown, as the orchid takes in nutrients from the stem. Trim the stem back to the level of the soil and remove the stem and leaves from the planter.

Repot the Orchid

• Repotting after the orchid drops its blossoms lessens the stress on the plant because it is already entering a dormant state. Orchids grow larger each year, and moving them to a new planter with fresh soil and fertilizer limits the ability of fungi to grow and harm the orchid, in addition to giving the roots room to spread. Fill a new planter with fresh orchid potting soil and place the orchid's root ball in the soil.

Store the Orchid

• During its dormant season, the orchid still requires water and fertilizer and a warm, humid growing environment. Keep the orchid in an area where it stays warm and is easy to water. Water the orchid about once per week to keep the soil moist. Add orchid fertilizer to the planter once a month during the dormant period to keep the soil rich in nutrients for the orchid; this helps encourage strong growth the following season and keeps the orchid healthy.