Can I Cut the Yellow Leaves After My Moth Orchid Stopped Blooming?

Yellow Leaves

• Yellow leaves on a blooming orchid frequently indicate a health problem, such as drought or disease. Identify the cause before pruning and solve the problem to see if the leaves will become green again. Frequently, supplying a moth orchid with the appropriate amounts of fertilizer and water restores the leaves' green color, making pruning them unnecessary. However, trimming yellow leaves back to the stem encourages new growth if the growing environment does not bring leaves back to health.

After Blooming

• After a moth orchid blooms, its leaves and stem appear to die, as the moth orchid seems to go dormant. The stem and leaves become yellow or brown. However, this is not the death of the external portion of the plant. The roots draw nutrients back into them while preparing for another session of blossoming. Cutting off the leaves and stem can prevent the plant from blooming again.

Pruning

• Once the stem turns completely yellow or brown, a small amount of pruning is appropriate for the moth orchid's health. Use a sharp gardening knife or pruning shears to cut the stem halfway back. A moth orchid produces multiple blossoms on the same stem. Removing the stem entirely shortens the orchid's lifespan. Pruning the leaves back to the stem once they have become completely discolored helps promote new growth.

Benefits

• Correctly pruning a moth orchid extends its lifespan and keeps the orchid healthy. Removing yellow leaves only at the appropriate time prevents damage and encourages the production of new, healthy blossoms and fresh green leaves. Learn to care for a moth orchid by paying attention to the plant's growth cycle and determine whether yellow leaves are signifying a serious health problem.