How to Cut a Spike on an Orchid

Most orchid species develop multiple flowers on spikes, which can vary widely in length. Spikes can be harvested when the flowers are just opening for use as cut flowers. More commonly, they are left on the plant and cut once they have faded and begun to die back. No matter when you do so, cutting orchid flower spikes is a simple process and requires only a sharp, scrupulously clean cutting tool.

Pruning clippers
Sharp utility scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Harvest fresh blooms for use as cut flowers or in bouquets after roughly ¼ of the lower flowers have begun to open. Cutting off the stalk too soon may cause the flowers to fail to open, and you'll lose the full benefit of the stalk.
- 2
  Trim back the dying stalk of orchid plants halfway down after all of the flowers on the spike have opened and died back naturally. Leave the remaining half of green stalk in place to see if a new flower spike will emerge from it. If no new flower spike appears, the nutrients within the spike stub will redistribute down into the orchid plant roots.
- 3
  Sever the last half of the flower spike once it has shriveled, turned brown and become desiccated. Cut the spike at its base between the leaves or just above the pseudo-bulb and discard it.

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