Is it possible for Orchids to rebloom? Orchid flowers are the most desired parts of the plant. Yet, the part is also fragile and requires certain maintenance. Some flowers last a shorter time than others.
When the bloom season is over, many gardeners might worry if the plant will not flower again. Orchids could bloom up to three times a year.
Owners need to know some tips and steps on getting orchids to rebloom indoors or outdoors. Although most orchids only flower once a year, the right varieties, care, and the environment could enhance the blooming process.
In detail, steps and tips to make orchids flower again are explained below.
Orchids varieties suggestion
Most orchids have enchanting flowers that differ from one variety to another. Not only by its look, the care and its probability to rebloom must be considered before choosing one.
To summarize those varieties, here are some beautiful orchids to grow indoors.
- Moth orchids or Phalaenopsis: fast-growing with colorful bloom yet cold-sensitive and require humidity.
- Paphiopedilum/Lady’s slippers: easy to grow and long-lasting blooms with varied patterns and colors.
- Cattleya: spreads vanilla scent and loves sunlight (5—6 hours/day).
- Cymbidium: has green and fragrant petals.
- Dendrobium: has white purplish petals, like light, and avoids wet roots.
- Ludisia: has smaller yet more flowers in a plant and blooms in winter.
- Phaius orchid: easiest to grow indoors that could reach 2-3 feet.
- Oncidium: it is a fragrant orchid that smells like vanilla and chocolate.
- Zygopetalum: another fragrant orchid with hyacinth fragrance.
- Miltoniopsis: also a fragrant orchid with a roses-like smell.
How to get Orchids to rebloom indoors step by step
After flowering, orchids take resting time, usually 6-9 months. This time is also called dormancy. The dormancy of each orchid varies. It could get faster if the orchid is given the right care and the steps are.
- Inspect the orchids’ parts where the leaves and spikes must be well-hydrated and green. Some varieties also experience leave loss, and that is okay. Yellow and dark spots in stalks and leaves are signs of dying orchids.
- Take off the stakes or clips that supported the stalks.
- Cut the stalk on the upper part of the right nodes for about one inch. The right node or bulge is green and closest to the previous blooming flower. Some nodes even have small twigs.
- The final step of getting Orchids rebloom indoors is letting them rest and giving the proper dormancy care, along with these tips below.
Tips on how to get Orchids rebloom indoors
- All orchids love light but do not put under direct sunlight for more than six hours a day.
- Check the leaves. Dark green leaves signify the lacking light, but lighter with yellow tone leaves indicate the healthy ones.
- This plant likes water and light balance. Hence, water it twice or once a week. During the cold season or winter, water it once in two weeks. However, some types, like Moth orchids, love humidity. Watering them more than once a week is okay. Just do not drown them.
- A hack to water is by giving three ice cubes once a week in the pot.
- Set a regular schedule, and do not miss it. If the owners usually water once a week and once a month, fertilizing and watering more or less than usual will disturb the orchid.
Fertilizing Orchids to flower again
During the dormancy period, orchids also need additional nutrients from fertilizer. This could fasten up the period and stimulate early bloom.
Fertilizing once a month is the key to getting Orchids to rebloom indoors and outdoors during dormancy. Yet, when the flowers appear, owners are suggested to fertilize once every two weeks.
The suggested fertilizer is the one with a 20-20-20 ratio. For those that are grown in bark, the suggested ratio for the fertilizer is 15-5-5 or 30-10-10.
To enhance the reblooming process, some also use a fertilizer with a 10-30-20 ratio that is high phosphorus during fall. While diluting the fertilizer, weekly use should dilute for times than suggested.
Meanwhile, dilute twice or as per the suggested instructions for monthly use.
The reason why Orchids do not rebloom
The main reason why an orchid does not flower past the dormancy phase is the improper environment or care.
As mentioned in the tips and steps of how to get Orchids to rebloom indoors above, the light, temperature, and humidity must be right.
Besides, it also needs to be re-potted after a certain period. The freshness and quality of the orchid mix in the pot also must be considered as it influences the roots’ strength.
The next reason is the urea in the fertilizer because the chemical inhibits the growth of the new bloom. Another cause includes letting the wilting or dead stalks.
Wilting stalks produce ethylene that prompts other healthy stalks and leaves roots too.