Orchid flowers, as one of the most popular houseplants, have many species and varieties. But they all can be easily identified by their spikes, which are covered in gently colored blossoms in solid hues or speckles. The petals and sepals (innermost petals) of these flowers are in groups of three. The edges of an orchid’s petals might be ruffled, curved, or notched, depending on the type. Orchid leaves are coated with a thick waxy layer to avoid water loss.
Your orchid will most likely be healthy and in bloom when you first get it. The bloom could last probably a week or more. But after that, you need to think about their long-term maintenance. Many orchids can rebloom several times and live a long life if you treat it right.
Pay Attention to These 4 Aspects to Keep Orchids Blooming
The golden rule for blooming orchid flowers is to replicate their natural environment as precisely as possible. Here are four aspects you need to adjust to replicate the orchid’s natural environment.
1. Light
The first step of understanding the range of light conditions required by an orchid is to know the orchid’s species. Dendrobium, cymbidium, and cattleya are three common types that like bright light. But even these ‘high light’ orchids don’t need nearly as much direct sunshine as a tomato plant. So do not put it in direct sunlight. You may notice severe symptoms such as scorched leaves if you set your orchid in direct sunlight, but even too much artificial light can also limit blooming. Artificial light can also be used for ‘low light’ orchids, but do not put these kinds of orchids in a room with no permanent light source.
2. Soil
Orchids need a specific potting soil or mix to be their medium. You can mix it on your own or buy it. It can consist of a variety of strange substances like moss, bark, cork, or even brick bits that allow the roots to breathe and allow air circulation. Wind and breezes are natural to epiphytes, and they can’t survive without them.
3. Water
The amount of water required by orchids depends on the type of orchid, the bark mix, the pot, the humidity, and the light. But generally, orchids only need a small amount of water because their roots can absorb water and breathe very quickly. So after heavy watering, they will need a drying period.
4. Temperature and Humidity
The temperature requirements of orchids differ depending on the species, but it is generally above 50 degrees Fahrenheit but below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, Phalaenopsis orchids thrive in temperatures ranging from the mid-seventies to the mid-eighties. Dendrobiums, on the other hand, like a cooler environment of around 10 degrees.
If you can give a pleasant, warm, and slightly humid atmosphere, orchid flowers will remain longer. Avoid placing your orchid where it will be exposed to chilly winds, direct sunshine, or heating vents.
Some orchids use the difference in air temperature between night and day as a cue that the seasons are changing and it’s time to start preparing for blooming. So, to trigger blooming, at the start of the orchid’s flowering season, expose your orchids to nighttime temps 10 degrees cooler than daylight temperatures for two weeks.
Orchids naturally live in humid environments, so humidity trays are usually used for growing orchids indoors. The orchid is suspended above the water, so the water collects in the bottom of these trays. The purpose of this humidity tray is to achieve a balance of humidity and airflow. Besides growing orchids, humidity trays can also be used for other indoor plants such as alocasia.
Make Ways for New Orchid Blooms
Over the last few years, orchids have become extremely popular. They’re also fantastic gifts because the orchid’s beautiful blooms can persist for months. Regardless, many orchids are discarded in the trash or composted because the owner believes it is difficult to get them to rebloom. However, with the correct amount of care and attention, they can develop straightforwardly and relatively simple.
One of the ways to make a new bloom is with pruning. The stem of a dried orchid flower should be trimmed by cutting the old flower spike near the stem’s base. Remove fading orchid blossoms, in general, to prevent the plant from focusing its energy on previous growth. Cut back to the main branch to remove the wasted bloom. Cut all stems with faded blossoms one inch apart from the main branch once the plant has finished flowering.
Various orchids, on the other hand, typically require different trimming techniques.
Another way is propagating orchids by the seed. Orchid seed propagation is a little bit more difficult because the tiny seeds require some particular conditions that are difficult to recreate. Orchid division is the most prevalent method of propagation. If you currently have a mature or large orchid and want to split it into two separate plants, follow these steps. Moisten it to make it simpler to remove your orchid from its container. Examine the orchid’s roots for damaged or dead areas that are black, papery thin, or mushy, and remove them. The roots of a healthy plant should be firm. Next, separate roots and stems using a sharp and sterile cutting tool. Each plant should be repotted in new media, staked if necessary, and watered. Place the divisions in a warm, indirect light environment.