Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:50 pm
The phalaenopsis orchid is very popular, especially with beginners and all those gardening enthusiasts who feel they do not have a green thumb. However, there always comes a time when these beautiful flowers are eventually damaged and wither. All that is left is an evergreen foliage that is not very decorative in our homes! We wonder how to make our orchid bloom again efficiently. However, it is a set of maintenance gestures that can sometimes test the patience of any gardener, even an experienced one. To succeed in making this indoor plant bloom again without rotting, here are all the maintenance tips to adopt.
Between the right techniques to cut the stem and all the maintenance issues (watering, light…), the cultivation of phalaenopsis orchids and their new blooms will no longer hold any secrets for you.
Contents
- 1 1) Successful pruning to make an orchid bloom again
- 2 Scenario 1: The stem is still green
- 3 Scenario 2: The stem is dry
- 4 2) Take care of the environment to have beautiful future flowering stems
- 5 3) Water and feed the plant without error
- 6 What about special orchid fertilizer?
- 7 4) Repotting, a step that should never be neglected to help your orchid bloom again
- 8 Author
1) Successful pruning to make an orchid bloom again
Here, we must consider the two possible scenarios that will condition the pruning, and therefore also the regrowth of new leaves and flowers on your wilted orchid.
Scenario 1: The stem is still green
In this case, you can hope for a second flowering of keikis (baby orchids) on this same stem. Indeed, the same stem can bloom two or three times. In this case, it is necessary to remove the wilted flowers, rest for a few days, and then cut the stem above a bud with secateurs. To do this, start from the base of the orchid and cut the deflowered stem 1 cm above the third bud and below the flowering stem. This will allow new small buds to grow and bloom. This can take anywhere from two months to a year!
Scenario 2: The stem is dry
Cut the dry stem flush with the foliage. This will allow a new flowering stem to appear with beautiful flower buds. This stem will then appear in the axil of the oldest leaf. The stem is dry up to its foot? In this case, no choice if you want to see beautiful flowering plants emerge: detach the stem from its stake and take care to prune at the base.
2) Take care of the environment to have beautiful future flowering stems
It is well known that these flowering houseplants hate drafts and direct sunlight. But in practice, avoiding these parameters is not enough to ensure that flowering plants will grow again easily. After cutting, it is best to store these plants in a cool, unheated place. Exposed for about 20 days at a temperature of 15°C, your deflowered plant will offer you a new bloom. The ideal is to take your orchids out once the frosts have passed, keeping them under a tree with light foliage between May and September. (Beware here of parasites such as slugs, snails, mealy bugs…). Then place it in a cool place in September.
As soon as your plant starts to bloom, bring it inside the house. Indoors, avoid the full sun of a southern exposure which offers a too strong luminosity. So think of sifting the sun’s rays with a curtain to have a beautiful light without excess.
3) Water and feed the plant without error
Orchids prefer to soak in non-calcareous water (and lukewarm or room temperature water if possible). If you don’t have soft water (rain water for example), use tap water with a dash of vinegar to neutralize the limescale. Immerse the pot in a basin of water for about 15 minutes, until the air bubbles have finished escaping. Then drain it well to avoid stagnant water in the saucer or the pot cover. Then let it dry between waterings. You can also spray the foliage with a misting device to maintain a humid atmosphere. However, never water or spray water on the head of the orchid… unless you absolutely want to kill all the installed or future flowers! Orchids do not tolerate excess water.
What about special orchid fertilizer?
It is not advisable to overuse chemical fertilizers. In winter, you can use it once a month, and then every ten days when the temperatures become milder.
4) Repotting, a step that should never be neglected to help your orchid bloom again
Whether it’s a faded orchid that you’re trying to get to bloom again or a healthy orchid, it’s a good idea to repot an orchid every two to three years into a new plastic pot. This is very important, as the soil tends to wear out over time. Choose a clear pot that is slightly larger than the old one and half filled with pine bark and clay balls.