How to Fix A Broken Orchid Stem

You’ve spent the time giving your orchid the right amount of water and light, but the stem broke! It doesn’t matter if the cat knocked the pot off the windowsill, or you simply forgot to stake the stem, don’t worry — there is hope for your orchid, so don’t give up altogether.

If the orchid has stem is completely severed the best thing to do is to make a fresh cut with a sterilized pair of scissors or clippers. Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the blades, and then make the cut as close to the damaged area as possible.

Discard the broken top piece, as it is useless; a new orchid plant can’t grow from it. Orchids require the rhizome (or root-like part of the plant) to grow.

Dip the fresh cut in cinnamon powder (the same kind you’d add to your French toast) to seal up the wound and ward of disease or infection. If you prefer, or don’t have cinnamon powder available, you can also dip the cut into some melted candle wax to seal the wound too.

Take care of the plant as you normally do in order to de-stress the plant and get it to bloom as quickly as possible. Keep in mind that depending upon the time of year, and the type of orchid you have it may be a few weeks or an entire year until the plant blooms again. Research more on your specific type of orchid (there are more than 25,000 types you know) in order to determine how you should specifically care for the plant.

Normal Orchid Care Instructions

Set the plant in a south-facing windowsill where it will receive plenty of indirect sunlight. If the plant gets too hot, or receives too much direct light, the leaves will change colors.

Water the plant only when the top 1-inch of potting mix is dry. Limiting watering discourages root rot and is more like what the plant would likely experience growing in the wild. Increase the humidity around the orchid by setting it near other potted plants, or misting the stem and leaves with room temperature water.

Avoid placing the plant near drafty windows or near air conditioner vents. The change blasts of hot or cold air, may stress the plant too much.