Artful Orchid Cuttings Leads to More Blooms

You might notice that you have an orchid that seems to thrive, year after year, yet never produces more than one lone flowering pseudobulb. If you wish to multiply the number of blooming growths, you could 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 really spectacular orchid.

Proceed this way: Take an orchid plant having at least four or five back pseudobulbs. Slice the rhizome in two between the bulbs, taking care 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 next enter into their growing stage, you may observe them sending forth two growths from one pseudobulb at the place where you cut it.
• No matter how eager you are to force more blooms, you should refrain from cutting any 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 how some of the amazing specimens are produced that you come across in orchid showings.

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 written by Nigel Howard is highly recommended.

The most complete guide to contemporary orchid growing, many growers agree, is Mr. Howard's Orchid Care Expert, which is available to be downloaded from the web. Mr. Howard's guide is a complete course of study, enlightening for novices and the more seasoned growers alike. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which features a growing database of articles on many aspects of orchid cultivation.