Is it possible to prune the leaves of an orchid: when is it better to do it and how to cut it correctly, and in what cases do you need to clean them all?

Orchid is a favorite of flower growers, originally from the southern rainforests. Caring for it has its own characteristics. She is moody.

And not every grower is able to provide this beauty with proper care. For many years now, experts have been arguing: is it possible to prune orchid leaves? And if so, when and how?

So, from the article you will find out whether it is possible to prune orchid leaves, how to do it correctly at home, and also what diseases and pests can affect them.

Plant life cycle

Leaves are the most important organ of a plant. Thanks to them, the orchid receives sunlight and air. It is on them that the state of the plant is primarily determined. They are the first to signal that something is wrong with the flower. The condition of the leaves can determine the onset of the disease and take action in time.

The life cycle is an alternation of periods of growth and dormancy of a plant, as well as life expectancy. The life expectancy of orchids is from 1 to 5 years. Some varieties live longer.

The rest period has two phases:

biological;
forced.

The period of biological dormancy in different species varies greatly: from 3 weeks to 5 months. At this time, the following occurs:

Growing Aging.
Vegetative and flower buds are laid.
The flower stores nutrients and prepares for a growing period.

If the conditions are unfavorable, then the orchid enters the stage of forced rest. Until conditions become more suitable. The growth period is characterized by increased growth, maturation of the buds and flowering.

During this period, the plant requires:

Maximum illumination, but not direct sunlight.
Adequate watering.
Top dressing.
Corresponding air temperature.

Important! Be sure to take into account the life cycle of orchids. Since at different periods she needs different care and conditions.

Do I need to trim the flower?

Experts disagree. Some allow such pruning, others do not. Some gardeners advise doing this if the orchid does not bloom. If there has been no flowering for more than a year, then the lower leaves are trimmed.

It should be remembered that orchid leaves are an important organ. The more of them, the stronger it is and the faster it recovers strength. Since through them the flower receives nutrition.

And if the leaves are sick, then you can and should cut them!

Leaves need to be trimmed if they are:

Withered, yellowed or stained.
Got sunburn.
Cracks or damage have formed (for example, a flower has fallen).
If damaged by parasites.

This is necessary in order to:

reduce the load on the plant;
avoid further spread of the disease or pests.

You will learn all the details about the correct pruning of a plant in a separate article.

Identification of diseased and healthy foliage

It is very simple and even for a beginner grower. Healthy leaf:

green, uniform;
resilient (listless);
there are no spots, cracks, putrefactive formations on it;
the inside should also be healthy, free of pests.

Signs of diseased leaves:

lethargy;
cracks;
spots;
yellowness;
putrefactive formations (black brown gray);
heterogeneous color;
the presence of parasites.

Advice! If at least one of the signs is, it is worth paying attention to the health of orchids. Such signs are a signal of a serious illness.

All further consequences

Two important points:

A common and unpleasant consequence is infection and decay of the cut site. To avoid this, the cut should be treated with charcoal, ground cinnamon or activated carbon.
Weakening the plant. If the orchid has lost many leaves, then it becomes much weaker. Since it receives significantly less power from sunlight. The result may be the death of the plant.

If pruning is performed in compliance with all the rules, recommendations, precautions, then the plant is not in danger.

Step-by-step instruction

Tool preparation

You will need to trim:

garden secateurs;
gloves
disinfector;
means for processing the cut.

To disinfect a tool, you can use:

alcohol solution;
chlorine solution;
potassium permanganate solution.

Cut point search and processing

Before you begin pruning, you need to carefully examine the plant. If children are found, then it is worth the time with pruning. The exceptions are those cases when the flower is sick and such pruning is a matter of life and death.

If no children are found, then you can proceed. There are two ways to trim:

Step back about 10 mm from the root and cut the sheet with a sterile tool. There should be a stump. If the sheet is sick, then it is not necessary to remove it entirely. It is enough to deviate from the spot 10-15 mm. At the same time, the healthy part is preserved.
This method applies to the bottom sheets (usually healthy). The leaf should be cut along the midline, and then torn to the very stem. After that, the halves must be carefully torn off the stem with your hands. After that, the orchid is not watered for several days to avoid decay.

Trimming should be done with a sterile tool. Then you can find: a young airy root or a released arrow.

Attention! Orchid leaves can be cut only after flowering! To do this, wait until the flowers dry and fall off.

Read about how to prune an orchid after flowering.

The cut-off point should immediately be trimmed with charcoal or ground cinnamon. You can also use crushed activated carbon. This procedure contributes to the speedy healing of plant wounds. It also prevents bacterial and viral infections from entering the wound.

You will find step-by-step instructions and tips from experienced gardeners on pruning various parts of an orchid in a separate article.

Rescue perennial

What if I had to cut all the leaves of the plant? The highlight here is the cause of leaf damage.

There may be several reasons. It:

Incorrect conditions.
Wrong watering.
Diseases (it is necessary to examine the root, the reason may be there).

After finding out the reasons, it will become clear what to do next. After the "diagnosis", you need to start treatment. If the orchid cannot be cured (for example, it is affected by rot), then it should be disposed of in order to protect other plants.

Diseases in which leaves are damaged:

Brown rot. It is characterized by the appearance of light brown and watery spots.
Black rot. Leaves turn black, stained. The cause may be low air temperature or parasites.
Root rot. With this disease, the leaves become brown, and the roots rot.
Fusarium rot. Yellowness and spots appear on the leaves.
Gray rot. It is characterized by the appearance of dark spots, which are covered with a grayish coating in the form of a gun.
Spotting. With this disease, the leaves become lethargic, weak, then dark spots appear on them.
Anthracnose. Its characteristic features are small round brown spots. If the disease is started, the spots become larger and the plant may die.
Powdery mildew. White plaque appears on the leaves, they are clotted and dry. In most cases, it leads to the death of the plant.

Care

First of all, you should pay attention to the roots. If the roots are rotten, then you need to remove the flower from the pot, shake the ground, dip the roots of the plant in warm water (pre-cook a basin with warm water).
Then the roots are dried. Sick leaves and roots are removed. How to prune the roots correctly, you will learn here.
If part of the root system remains, then such a plant can again be planted in a pot with soil. But now you have to strictly follow the rules for orchid care.
The flower must be placed in the southwest or southeast. Avoid direct sunlight.
The temperature should be 30-33 degrees - during the day, 20-25 degrees - at night.
Avoid drafts.
Water the plant should be very careful. At first, it is better to limit yourself to spraying the soil.
If there are no roots left, then the stem can be planted in a pot with wet moss. And try to grow roots.

Thus, the orchid can be brought back to life.

Attention! The main cause of leaf disease is rotting of the root system, which can be caused by illness and excessive watering, as well as inappropriate conditions.

In order to properly care for the orchid, you need not only knowledge, but also experience. It is necessary to take into account many factors, observe, look for information, consult with experienced gardeners. Orchid is a moody and delicate flower, but its beauty is worth the effort..