Should the flower spike of a moth orchid be cut off after blooming?
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Should the flower spike of a moth orchid be cut off after blooming?
The flower spike of a moth orchid should be cut off after blooming, pruning it at the 4-5th node below the spike. After pruning, spray a fungicide to disinfect the wound to prevent infection, which helps the moth orchid bloom again. During daily maintenance, place it in a diffused light environment and water it every 3-5 days to ensure normal growth of the plant.
1. -- It is okay to cut --
The flower spike of a moth orchid should be cut off after blooming, otherwise, it will consume too much nutrition from the plant, which is not conducive to blooming the next year. When pruning, use a sterilized pair of scissors to make an oblique cut about 5 centimeters below the spike and then spray a disinfectant to prevent bacterial growth.
2. -- Repotting --
To promote the growth of a moth orchid, it is necessary to repot it after blooming. If the soil is compacted, it will hinder the plant's root respiration. At this point, dig the plant out of the soil and plant it in a new cultivation pot to help the moth orchid grow better.
3. -- Light conditions --
Moth orchids prefer a semi-shaded and semi-sunny growing environment and are very sensitive to strong light. After cutting off the flower spike, place the plant in a soft light environment to avoid strong light exposure.
4. -- Supplementing nutrients --
Moth orchids consume a lot of nutrients during blooming. After cutting off the flower spike, it is necessary to supplement it with nutrients, such as applying phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizers or decomposed organic fertilizers to let the moth orchid grow robustly.
The aforementioned content about whether the flower spike of a moth orchid should be cut off after blooming is provided for your comprehensive understanding and reference!