Artful Orchid Cuttings Leads to More Blooms

You might find that you have an orchid that seems to thrive, year after year, yet never produces more than a single flowering pseudobulb. If you would like to increase the number of blooming growths, you might be able to do so by using a method of cutting in order to produce back shoots. With luck and a suitable type of plant (those from the Cattleyas family are best), you will eventually have a truly spectacular orchid.

Proceed this way: Take an orchid plant having at least four or five back pseudobulbs. Cut the rhizome in two between the bulbs, being careful not to otherwise disturb it. That's basically it, but here are some things to keep in mind:

• The best time to cut most orchids is during their resting phase, usually fall or winter. When they again enter their growing phase you may then observe them producing two growths from one pseudobulb where you have cut it.
• Cutting should not be attempted on an orchid that is not in good health. Cutting as described above will not harm a healthy plant, but could be stressful to a weak or sickly one.
• By cutting the same plant for back shoots year after year, you will end up with an orchid that is both much larger and much more stunning than it would have been otherwise. This is the way some of the astonishing specimens are produced that you see in orchid shows.

There is more that might be conveyed as to the science of cutting to bring forth more blooms, as well as the method of taking cuttings for the purpose of starting more plants. To learn more about these and other secrets of orchid cultivation, a good guide such as that authored by Nigel Howard is highly recommended.

The most complete guide to expert orchid cultivation, in my opinion, is Mr. Howard's Orchid Care Expert, which can be downloaded from the Internet. Howard's wonderful guide is a thorough education all by itself. And, it is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced orchid growers. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets web site, which features an ever-growing library of information on all aspects of orchid cultivation.