How to prune maxillaria schunkeana

After flowering, once spikes are fully spent. Cut dead flower spikes flush with the pseudobulb base using sterile scissors or a blade. Remove shrivelled or dead pseudobulbs by gently detaching them from the rhizome only once fully desiccated.

Rarely — after each bloom cycle as needed. Maxillaria schunkeana needs very little pruning. This small sympodial orchid produces single flowers from pseudobulb bases. Once a flower has fully died and the spike is brown, remove it cleanly at the base. Remove dead or shrivelled pseudobulbs and yellowed leaves with sterile scissors. No reshaping is needed.

Cut dead flower spikes flush with the pseudobulb base using sterile scissors or a blade. Remove shrivelled or dead pseudobulbs by gently detaching them from the rhizome only once fully desiccated.