How to cut an orchid stem?

How far do I cut my orchid stem to develp a "plantlet?"?

• I've heard 2 inches and down to a node. Which is it? Do I cut it down to it's second node? How do I do this safely?

• Answer:

  Do you mean cutting a flower stem? It depends on the kind of orchid. Some will not rebloom on a flower spike. Phalaenopsis will. Assuming that is what you have... If you cut the stem off at the 2nd node up from the plant, you may get more flowers. Some phalaenopsis will branch from nodes on their own. You just need a very sharp knife or sharp scissors that won't crush the stem. Cut just a little above the node. Getting a plantlet is trickier. I'm not sure that cutting off the stem will help -- it will likely just create more flowers from those nodes. Orchid growth hormone like Keikigrow can help. You need to peel off the bract, the little triangular flap at the node, to expose the little bud underneath. VERY carefully -- with a sharp knife, or even a pin to pry the bract away. Then you apply the growth hormone paste & wait! Sometimes it works; sometimes you just get another flower spike.