How to know when to cut off flower stalks

[Sherry H]

I have been learning this summer in forum, some paphs praghs bloom more than once on a bloom stalk? Any rules
on when to cut off stalk?

 

[NYEric]

If you don't care when it turns brown and is on its way to dying. otherwise, when you want. Remember, as a system, plants are trying to use their energy. Putting energy into stalks for flowers takes away energy for leaves and roots.

 

[Sherry H]

Any plants that rebloom more than others

 

[eds]

I would always leave a flower stem until it has turned brown and dried. The plant will draw some resources back from the stem as it dies off back into the rest of the plant.

It also means you won't inadvertently cut off a spike that could produce another flower but this only applies to the sequential bloomers.

 

[Ozpaph]

once the top flower is open, no more flowers. I cut them when Ive admired them for a week or so, then a vase inside.

 

[Sherry H]

Thanks!

 

[NYEric]

Any plants that rebloom more than others

You can usually tell the hybrids that will have successive blooming from the parents. Just check what species made the plants. Good sources of info for slippers are the orchideya.ca and Slipper Orchid Info websites. Both owners are members here on STF.