Photo: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
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Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Pyramidal orchid: when and how to prune
Anacamptis pyramidalis
Pyramidal orchid is best pruned in August–September.
| Pruning months | August–September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–July |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Pyramidal orchid: when to prune it?
No pruning. Mow the grassland from mid-August, after the seed has ripened.
Pyramidal orchid: how to prune it?
- Leave the spent spikes until the capsules are brown and open, so the dust-like seed can blow away.
- Then mow the whole area and remove the cuttings, to keep the soil poor.
- Mark the plants with a stick so you do not mow them by mistake in summer.
- In autumn and winter, do not cut shorter than 5–8 cm, to spare the leaf rosettes.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: August–September.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not mow over the plants in May–July: you would lose that year’s flowers and seed.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Pyramidal orchid · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.