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Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Getting Orchids to Rebloom from FTD

Do you love orchids as much as I do? But, I have never been able to get them to rebloom.  For the first time, I actually have two orchids still living months after they quit blooming. You are in for a treat today because FTD has shared another great blog for me to share with my readers and it is about orchids. You may remember the one about hydrangeas here and sunflowers here.  Enjoy!







How to Rebloom Orchids

how to rebloom orchids
Orchids are beautiful and exotic flowers that are associated with fertility, virility and sexuality. They look great in home decor adding elegance and grace to an area. However, many people struggle with how to rebloom orchids.
How long your orchid lasts greatly depends on how well you take care of it. The most beautiful part of the orchid is its blossom and unfortunately it can be difficult to maintain. Caring for orchids can be a tedious process that often ends in frustration. The key is to remain patient and attentive to the flower’s needs throughout its entire development.
The steps to rebloom an orchid for the first time can be difficult to implement without first knowing the general care tips for an orchid. So, we have broken up this guide into two sections for you. The first centers on how to care for your orchid. The second discusses how to make orchids rebloom. We have also included a visual guide at the bottom with the six most important care tips. Happy growing!

How to Care for Your Orchid

Orchids are some of the most commonly-grown houseplants, but they require specific growing conditions. It is important to remember that orchids are very different from most plant species and so the amount of time spent caring for them should reflect that.
Like humans, the manner in which orchids mature is dependent on their environment. So, using caution when maintaining your plant’s habitat is essential to its healthy development. Once you master the basics of orchid care, they become very easy to grow. Here are some quick and easy ways to help your orchid bloom to its full potential:

Lighting


how to rebloom orchid lighting
  • One of the most difficult parts of growing an orchid is providing it with the correct amount of sunlight. Unlike most plants, orchids need indirect sunlight to bloom.
  • The best way to give your orchid the correct amount of light is to put your plant by east and west-facing windows. If you do not have any windows nearby, a fluorescent light will work too.
  • If your plant develops black tips on its leaves, then it may be getting sunburned. If this happens, you should put your plant in a space where there is less direct sunlight.

Environment


how to rebloom orchids environment
  • Orchids grow their best in moderate room temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can handle nighttime temperatures as low as 60 degrees and daytime temperatures as high as 85 degrees. However, this can vary depending on the type of orchid that you are nurturing.
  • It is best to avoid extreme temperature changes or drafts, so we recommend keeping your orchid indoors.
  • It is also important to keep your orchid away from any ripening fruits; they give off a gas that can be harmful to the plant.

Water


how to rebloom an orchid water
  • Most orchids should be watered every week or two. When your orchids soil begins to feel dry, that means it needs to be watered.
  • The best way to water your orchid is to take it out of its container and put it in a plastic grower’s pot.
  • Next, put your orchid under a slow-running tap for 10 to 15 seconds. As you are watering, wet each side of the plant, but avoid the crown and leaves. You can also water your orchid using ice cubes is .
  • Before putting your orchid back in its original pot, let it drip-dry for five to 10 minutes so that the plant is not sitting in water.
  • When your orchid’s soil begins to feel almost dry, it is time to repeat the process.

How to Make Orchids Rebloom

Once your orchid has stopped blooming, it will enter a stage called dormancy. It may seem like your plant is dead at first, but it is not. This dormancy stage is a resting period where the plant has time to replace nutrients that were dispensed during the blooming process. This dormancy stage usually lasts about six to nine months. After that, your orchid will have the energy to rebloom again.
However, sometimes orchids need help with this process and require even more attention than they did before. With the right amount of tender love and care, you can get your orchid to rebloom.
how to make an orchid rebloom
Here are three easy steps to make your orchid rebloom:
  1. Once your orchid enters the dormancy phase and stops blooming, begin fertilizing it. Most orchids will need a balanced houseplant fertilizer (20-20-20). This should be done monthly or weekly depending on the type of orchid that you have.
  2. Move your orchid to a cooler area where the temperatures are between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your orchid in indirect sunlight at all times.  Do this until a new flower spike emerges.
  3. Once a flower spike has emerged, give it a couple months for the plant to reach about 5’’. Once this happens, it is time to start supporting your spike! You can do this with a loose tie and a stake. If  a couple months pass and you do not see a flower start to emerge, try moving your orchid to a different location. It might not be getting the right temperature or indirect sunlight that it needs.
Once your orchid has started to rebloom, your work is not done! Continue to water and care for your orchid like you normally would and its bloom should last between 30-45 days. If you are lucky, your orchid may be able to bloom twice a year!

Eight Reasons Your Orchid is Not Blooming

Sometimes, even when you give your orchid all the time and care that it needs, it still may not bloom. Here is a list of eight reasons your orchid may not be blooming:
how to rebloom an orchid

1) Not enough light
Orchids should be placed in areas with indirect sunlight. If you plan on putting your orchid somewhere where this is not possible, such as a bedside table or home office, we recommend investing in a grow light.

2) Too much light
Unlike most plants, orchids will die when exposed to too much sun. Direct sunlight will result in the orchid’s leaves becoming sunburned. Make sure your orchid is placed in an area that receives indirect sunlight. If you are planning on using a grow light, set timers to replicate the natural night and daylight process.

3) Temperature
Orchids need to be in temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and cannot handle drastic weather changes. For this reason, we recommend keeping your orchid indoors at all times.

4) Fertilizer
If your orchid is in a sterile inorganic potting mix, it may not be getting all the nutrients that it needs. In order to give your orchid the nutrient boost that it requires, we recommend purchasing an urea-free fertilizer.

how to repot an orchid

5) Repotting
When orchids outgrow their containers, their roots can suffocate from lack of proper ventilation. In order to tell whether or not your orchid needs to be repotted, pay attention to your orchid’s roots rather than its foliage. If the roots look brown or are creeping out of the container, it is time to repot.

6) Season
Unlike most garden flowers, orchids bloom their best in the fall. So, you are going to have to pay a lot more attention to your orchid when trying to bloom it in the summer.

7) Too much water
Over-watering your orchid is the number one reason why it may not be blooming.  When you notice your orchid’s leaves wilting or its roots turning brown, this means that it is receiving too much water. If this happens, let the plant dry for about a week before watering again.

8) Too little water
In the same way that over-watering your orchid can negatively affect its growth, under-watering it can do the same. If your orchid’s leaves are looking dry, make sure to water the plant and give it the proper attention that it needs.

Basic Orchid Care In Six Easy Steps

Before you become too overwhelmed with the information we have given you, take a deep breath and review the basics. To make things easier we have created a visual guide of the six most important care tips for you to remember. Once you have these down, getting your orchid to bloom and rebloom should come at ease!
How to rebloom an orchid infographic
Sources:
Hope you enjoyed the lesson on orchids.
Thank you, FTD. For a full page link click here. Check out their instagram, pinterest, u-tube videos and blog. Please also follow me on instagram, pinterest and sign up to receive my blog in your email.

14 comments:

  1. This is very helpful. Thanks for posting these tips, Bonnie!

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  2. Hi Bonnie, I just gave my mom a beautiful green lady's slipper orchid for her birthday and this article has been so helpful to me. I will definitely try to preserve this plant once the two buds have finished blooming. Hope you are well! Linda

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  3. Thanks, Bonnie. I've never gone with orchids, though they are so pretty. Maybe I'll give it a try!

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  4. I need to try these tips. I love orchids, but just replace them once they stop blooming. I've never had one bloom again. Now I know why.

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  5. Thanks Bonnie. I had the prettiest Orchid that my sister gave to me and kept it on a small table at my office with indirect sunlight. I actually had it about two years. Then I changed out the table and the next thing I knew the plant was dead. My sister who loves orchids said that the table I replaced with wasn't as high as the first table and therefore wasn't getting enough of light. So, I have learned a lesson. Thanks for the tips. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  6. Thanks so much for sharing these tips. I love orchids and often buy them, but I have never had one to rebloom. My favorite place to keep one is in my foyer, but there is not enough light. My grocer always has orchids and they are not expensive!

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  7. Thanks so much for this information, Bonnie. I really needed this! A friend gave me an orchid two years ago, and it has never rebloomed. I've followed the tag instructions to a "T". I guess that's why it's still alive, at least. Ha! I'll be back later when I have the time to read all these juicy details and get my orchid blooming again. (I thank you. My black thumb thanks you.)

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  8. I sure need this Bonnie. I have orchids that are coming back from the root and adding new growth but no blooms. I love orchids and I've never been able to get them to rebloom. I'm saving this post, thank you so much!!!!

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  9. There's nothing prettier than a blooming orchid!

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  10. Yes, I do love orchid as much as you do! I always wonder how on earth I can make these beautiful flowers re-bloom. I got my answers through this post :)

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  11. Great post. I just happened to have two orchids that are on their way out. Yes, that orchid can be saved! is my mantra. Thanks for your help.

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  12. What wonderful tips on orchids, Bonnie. I once was able to get an orchid to rebloom, but failed at my other attempts. Maybe I should try again after reading this post. Happy first day of Fall!

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  13. I love orchids and love this post Bonnie. So many great tips!
    Have a lovely fall week!

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  14. Bonnie, I love orchids, but have always been scared that I couldn't keep it alive. Thanks for this informative post. I hope that you have a wonderful week!

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