If you received a Phalaenopsis orchid for Valentine’s Day, it is likely that its flowering cycle has already finished. However, just because you don’t see anything happening doesn’t mean your plant is dead. Don’t throw it away! When all the flowers have fallen, follow these steps to make new ones appear. We reveal the best tips for making an orchid bloom again and enjoy its natural beauty for longer.

Common reasons for lack of flowering and how to fix it to make an orchid bloom again

With the exception of some orchids such as Ludisia, home gardeners generally do not grow these plants for their foliage. Indeed, it is frustrating to look at this beautiful plant every day, hoping for flowers that never appear. It’s even sadder to see an orchid develop buds that shrivel and fall without ever opening. Fortunately, many of the problems that keep your beauties from thriving can be solved with small steps. So how to take care of an orchid to stimulate its flowering ? We’ll tell you everything!

Lack of light

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Lack of light is the main reason why orchids refuse to bloom or rebloom. The Dendrobium, Cattleya and Cymbidium varieties like bright conditions, but not direct sun. If your plant never emerges from the dim light of your home or office, you may need a grow light to get flowers .

Too much light

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If you’ve placed your orchid in full sun, you may notice severe symptoms such as scorched leaves, but an overabundance of artificial light can also stunt flowering. In addition to cooler evening temperatures, shorter days in fall can signal an orchid to set buds. If you keep your plant indoors, in a room where the lights are on 24 hours a day, it will not receive this important natural signal. If you use artificial lights, install a timer to simulate the natural light and dark cycle.

variable temperature

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You may know that your orchid, as a tropical plant, prefers warm temperatures. Orchids also need to know a temperature range to trigger flowering. If possible, expose your pots to night temperatures of 10°C for two weeks at the start of the flowering season.

How to make an orchid bloom again? Need for proper nutrition (fertilizer)

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While it’s true that orchids are not big eaters, an orchid living in a sterile inorganic mix may need a nutritional boost to perform at its best. The best type of fertilizer is a urea-free product, which provides nitrogen even in the absence of the microorganism activity common in rich garden soils.

The roots need attention/repotting

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Repotting is a delicate operation for orchid growers. When your flower’s growing medium begins to degrade, the roots can suffocate from lack of oxygen. However, some orchids suffer from having their root zone disturbed and refuse to flower six months to a year after repotting. Still others prefer to be tied to their roots and only flower when they seem about to be strangled by their pots.

To determine whether your plant needs repotting, evaluate the root system, not the foliage. Even good growing media become compromised over time, which can prevent the flow of vital air to the roots. If the roots look brown or the planting material resembles the density of garden soil, it’s time to transplant. If more than one or two roots are sticking out of the pot, it may be time to divide the orchid to maintain flowering vigor.

Overwatering

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If you give your orchid too much water, failure to bloom can be a precursor to the plant’s rapid decline and death. Orchids about to bloom that receive too much water may lose buds. Most flowers need to dry out between watering, and you should never allow them to get foot-wet (waterlogged soil in the root zone).

Orchids growing in the right type of pot with a specialized growing medium rarely suffer from overwatering. Customize your watering schedule based on your plant’s growing medium, container size and environment. If the roots turn brown, you are watering too much. Wrinkled leaves can be a sign of too little or too much humidity.

Insufficient watering

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Some orchid growers err on the side of drying in their well-intentioned efforts to avoid overwatering the plants. Remember that orchids come from humid jungles and are subject to regular downpours. If your flower becomes too dry, the leaves will draw water from the developing buds in an attempt at self-preservation. How sad to see the long-awaited buds turn yellow, shrivel and fall one after the other while the plant rehydrates its roots and leaves. If you forget to water often, use a moist tray to create a friendlier growing environment for your orchids.

Find out when your orchid variety blooms

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While most of our favorite garden flowers bloom in the summer, many orchids bloom in the fall, followed by winter and spring. Buying a flowering plant is not necessarily a sign of when it should flower, as growers can induce flowering in the greenhouse by changing light and temperature. Identify your orchid and then you can discover its natural flowering cycle.

Vanda orchids bloom two to three times a year, with each bloom cycle lasting up to six weeks. In contrast, the popular cattleya and cymbidium orchids bloom only once a year, but their ease of care makes them popular choices for novice growers.

How to make an orchid bloom again? The steps to follow

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Phalaenopsis orchids are inexpensive and their flowers last for many weeks. Once the flowers fade, it is tempting to get rid of the plant, but with some simple precautions it is possible to make an orchid bloom again for years.

Wait for the flowers to fall

Once your orchid has bloomed and the flowers have fallen off, you are left with a spike of flowers. Don’t be tempted to cut all the way through.

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Cut the stem down to the nearest bud

Instead, after the plant has lost all its flowers, cut the stem just above a visible joint (node). This should stimulate the production of another flower stalk in the coming months.

You can also cut the spent flower stem right down to the base

If no shoots appear and the original stem turns straw-colored, remove it at the base. The plant should eventually produce a strong new flower spike.

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Water properly

Excess water is the most common cause of orchid death. If your shabby orchid has a clear pot, look at the roots. Don’t water if they are green – wait until they are silver. Let the water run out of the bottom of the pot – don’t let the plant sit in the water.

Place it in a warm, bright place

Orchids like bright but indirect light: too much direct sunlight will burn the leaves. A location near an east- or west-facing window is ideal. These plants appreciate high humidity, so you can place them on a tray of moist pebbles – the roots absorb moisture from the atmosphere.