People tend to think that orchids are finicky, difficult plants to grow, but in reality they are quite easy to tend to when you follow some basic directions. If you make sure they have enough light, the right amount of water and are fed once in a while, you'll be rewarded with gorgeous, elegant blooms.
After your orchid blooms, there are things you can do to encourage it to go into another blooming cycle. These tips will help generate beautiful blooms as often as possible.
Advertisement
1. Identify type of orchid
The first step in forcing your orchid to rebloom is to know what variety of flower you have so you can comprehend its life cycle. Then you'll have a better understanding of the natural blooming cycle and how often you can get your orchid to bloom.
2. Fertilize every other week
After blooms have dropped, start feeding your orchid every other week and at a reduced amount. Use either a specially formulated orchid food or a general purpose fertilizer, and apply at about half the recommended rate when you're watering your orchid.
3. Move to cooler environment
In their natural environment, a bloom cycle is triggered by a change in temperature. Move your orchid to a cooler environment — nighttime temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees — for a couple of weeks or until a new flower spike emerges. Then move it back to its regular spot.
4. Provide right amount of light
Too much sunlight will scorch an orchid, burning the leaves, and will prohibit the plant from blooming. Too little light, and the orchids won't bloom. According to Beautiful Orchids, an ideal location is close to a window but with the plant protected from direct sun by blinds or curtains.
5. Let plants dry out between waterings
Most orchids need their growing media to dry out between waterings. Allowing them to sit in a pot with too much water can result in plant death. Wrinkled leaves are a good indicator of improper watering.
Advertisement
6. Repot regularly
Orchids will grow best when they are repotted every couple of years. This keeps the roots from becoming too root-bound, reduces salt buildup in the pot and regenerates the potting soil. Orchid Bliss explains in depth how to repot orchids and check the root health of the plant when doing so.