How to make an orchid bloom again ?

Orchids are beautiful houseplants that are highly appreciated for the beauty of their flowers. They are not difficult to care for if you follow a few basic rules and they have the particularity of blooming several times a year. Unfortunately, it can happen that the flowers wither completely and the plant is left bare. Don't panic: in order to make the most of your orchid's beautiful flowers, Flowy has put together a guide full of valuable tips to make your orchid bloom again. 

1. A bit of light

Orchids need good light to flourish. If they stop blooming, they may not have enough light. Remember to check the color of your plant's leaves: if they are dark green, it means that they lack light. Ideally, place your orchid near a window facing east or west, away from direct sunlight that could burn its leaves. Do not hesitate to turn your pot from time to time to allow the whole plant to grow evenly.

 

2. A touch of fertilizer

In the spring and summer, during the growth period of your plant, it is recommended to use a special orchid fertilizer after each watering. Be sure to water well before feeding to avoid mineral build-up on the roots. The nutrients in the fertilizer will help your plant grow and produce beautiful flowers. During the rest of the year, your orchid's needs are less, so be sure to limit the amount of fertilizer applied to give it a rest.

 

3. Regular but controlled watering

Orchids need to be watered regularly in order to flower. During the summer, immerse your plant in water at room temperature for 15 minutes, about once a week. In winter, reduce the watering to twice a month. Then make sure you drain the pot well before putting it back in its pot holder. Indeed, stagnant water could damage the roots and consequently prevent the proper development of your plant and its flowers.

 

4. A chic cut

To make your orchid bloom again, think of removing the faded flowers which did not fall by themselves. The cut will be different according to its variety.

 

The stems of Phalaenopsis orchids can give flowers several times. So wait a few days, take a pair of secateurs and cut the stem between the 2nd and 3rd node from the bottom.

TheCambria orchid does not bloom again on stems that have already given flowers, so you can cut them from 2 or 3cm from the base.

Finally, you should not remove the canes of theBamboo orchid right away. They bloom only once, but serve as a reservoir for the new canes that will arrive very quickly. Pruning is only done on the oldest ones, making sure that there are always 3 or 4 left in the pot.

 

Remember to disinfect your pruning shears with a flame or alcohol to avoid the transmission of disease from one plant to another. Thanks to this cut, a new shoot as well as new buds should quickly appear.

5. The right temperature

The Orchid loves heat and will thrive in an environment where the temperature is between 16 and 27°C. It can survive very well at lower temperatures, but studies have shown that heat can trigger the growth and blooming of new flowers. In fact, orchids bloom as a result of alternating warmer temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures at night. If you want to reproduce this difference, prune your orchid as explained above and place it in a cool place for about 20 days in early fall.

 

6. Progressive repotting

Finally, consider repotting your plant every two to three years in a larger pot than the previous one. We also recommend that you improve its drainage in order to avoid the accumulation of water at the roots which could make them rot. To do this, place a bed of gravel, small pebbles or clay balls at the bottom of the pot.

 


Sold out

Sold out

Pink Multiflora Orchid

Sold out

These simple tricks will allow you to get beautiful flowers on your orchid again. If all the conditions mentioned above are respected, the orchid's flowers can remain for up to 6 months and you will be able to observe several blooms each year.
Amaury Focant
Tags