Post-blooming orchid housekeeping...how do YOU clean your orchids?

[dtje2000]

I have several orchids that are finished with their blooms, and now I have dried up bloom stalks, some withered sheaths, and lots of the papery stuff on the dens, catts, blcs, etc.

I've heard folks say that bugs like to live under the papery stuff. I also heard Jerry say at a show that growers don't snip the stalks or remove the paper because if the manpower cost.

I'm fairly comfy with snipping the stalk after it's dried up and it's clear nothing else will spring forth from it, but what do most hobbyists do with the papery stuff? And is there an appropriate name for the papery stuff or shall I just refer to it as that forever more?

[kmarch]

The papery stuff, if it what I think you're referring to, are dead bracts. They protect new growths are they're forming but once the new growth is big enough they're no longer needed so they die off.

Some people like to remove them because if they are loose critters can hide under them. Also some people like to remove them when they show a plant. I'm a bit lazy about removing them. I usually leave them alone unless I'm getting a plant ready to show.

[exasperatus2002]

Must you remove them in order to show them?

[kmarch]

I don't believe it's required. A lot of growers think it looks better.

[dtje2000]

So, from a practical standpoint, pealing off the papery sheath stuff is pretty much best done for that which is coming loose, and that which is still clinging quite tightly is optional...based on personal preference. My goal is to ensure the best health possible for each plant, and I want to make sure the time I spend on maintenance is worth the effort.

[kmarch]

I believe it does have a lot to do with personal preference. For example some growers will take the dead bracts off right away. I usually don't take them off unless I see a bug problem or am going to show a plant. When I'm not too busy I take a close look at my plants every once in a while to look for things like bugs, etc. If you're not able to do that it might be better to remove them. I think if you ask 5 different growers youll probably get 5 slightly different answers.

[dtje2000]

Thanks, Sir Kevin. This is really what I was looking for...I can proceed!