How to Trim Orchids After Their First Bloom

Orchids are the largest genus of angiosperms, or flowering plants, in the world. While they can grow from nearly any climate, be it tropical to the tundra, all orchids have similar features such as flower spikes. Once the orchid blooms, the flower spike usually will die back no matter what kind of orchid it is. Trimming the orchid after bloom gets rid of the dead spike so the orchid can bloom again.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Rubbing alcohol

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Wait for the orchid's bloom to fall off and the flower spike to turn brown.

   • 2

     Cut off all of the dead flower spikes on the orchid after it blooms for the first time, using pruning shears. Cut the spikes off at the point where they turn from green to brown.

   • 3

     Clean the shears with rubbing alcohol between each cut to prevent the spread of disease. Rinse the shears with water before making more cuts.