Are you struggling to keep your orchids alive and blooming? Learn the essential watering techniques and tips to help your orchids thrive in this detailed guide.
I know you’re here just to know how to water and make your orchids re-bloom (click here to jump to how to re-bloom orchids), correct? So, let’s cut straight to the chase:
There are four important things that, in our opinion, you need to do for your orchid to re-bloom. I’ve noticed that once orchids rebloom, they’re not as spectacular as when you first got them, but they will still be incredibly beautiful.
These are some of the methods that have worked for us:
1) Sunlight
Your orchid needs enough sunlight. Harsh sunlight will cause orchids to burn and discolor its leaves, not enough sunlight will prevent them from re-blooming and rot. I like to place my orchids in a south facing window all winter and then in an east or northwest facing window during the summer.
A good rule is that the larger the leaves, the less light it needs.
Harsh sunlight will cause orchids to burn and discolor its leaves, not enough sunlight will prevent them from re-blooming and rot.
2) Water
You need to water your orchid regularly but without overwatering it; the soil must feel moist but not wet. Really check the soil before you add more water, let it get dry, wait between 7-10 days every time you add more water (time will vary depending on the humidity of their environment, so feel the soil at least 1-2 inches deep and check if its dry and if it needs water).
You do not want the soil to be very wet otherwise, your orchid will tend to rot.
If the pot doesn't have drainage, make sure the roots are not under water, flip it upside down if necessary to get out any excess water.
You can also mist the leaves and flowers when in bloom as often as possible to keep them fresh and strong.
Only water orchids when soil feels dry and roots look silver.
Mist leaves and flowers as often as possible.
The water you use should ideally be lukewarm or at room temperature.
There are many ways to water orchids but these are two that work best for us:
- If you can remove the orchid from the decorative pot while it still has a plastic container or if the decorative pot has a drainage: fill the decorative pot with water and let the orchid soak for about 20 minutes, then remove the orchid from the water and let it drain completely before placing it back in the decorative pot. If you use this method, you will only need to repeat this process once or twice a month, depending on environment conditions as explained before.
- If you can't remove the orchid from the decorative container because it is part of a tropical dish garden or if the decorative container doesn't have a drainage: add about 1/2 cup (4 oz) of water per plant only when it needs it or place an ice cube on each plant's roots and let it melt. If you use this method you will need to repeat it every week or as often as needed, whenever their soil feels dry.
3) Temperature
Orchids need warm temperatures to thrive. This is particularly important for orchids to re-bloom, for them to be happy in the temperature of the environment they’re in. There are three different adviced temperatures for orchid's varieties. So, depending on the type of orchid you have the wide range will be from 65 F to 90 F, but be sure that the temperature of the environment is correct for the specific type of orchid that you have.
Warm Temperature. Ideal for Vanda & Phalaenopsis Orchids. Nighttime from 65 F and up. Daytime from 75 F to 90 F.
Intermediate Temperature. Ideal for Cattleya & Paphiopedilum Orchids. Nighttime from 55 F to 60 F. Daytime from 70 F to 80 F.
Cool Temperature. Ideal for Cymbidium & Dendrobium Orchids. Nighttime from 45 F to 55 F. Daytime from 60 F to 70 F.
The warmer the temperature you keep your orchid in, the more often you may need to water it if the humidity is also low.
Also, keep them away from drafts and heat sources, these will dry them out and make them die faster.
4) Food
Lastly, to get your orchids to re-bloom you need to feed them orchid food on a regular basis, every two weeks is ideal. Check label instructions for accurate measurements.
The Most Important Secret For Re-Blooming Orchids
First, make sure to keep watering and taking care of your plant even after all the flowers are gone.
Then, there are two ways of getting your orchids to re-bloom, since they re-bloom in two different ways:
1) Wait until the last bloom drops and cut the stem down to two nodes (the brown bands along the spike) below where its last growth was, and it might bloom again on the same stem.
2) Once your orchid drops all of its blooms let the entire stem get brown and cut it all the way at the base where it meets the plant (if it doesn't turn brown, don't cut it, it might re-bloom on the same stem).
Eventually, the energy will tend to go back into the plant and that is why it turns brown and why you need to wait for it to be completely brown, so the entire energy goes back into the roots and it recovers enough energy to grow back stronger in several months. Your plant will generate a new spike and re-bloom on it!
You can alternate these two ways of cutting the stem, so your plant gets stronger with each blooming.
It is also a clever idea to re-pot your orchid with orchid potting mix once all the blooms drop and the stem dries out.
If your plant is ready to move on, it might also generate a new plant out of the last spike before dying, I currently have a plant trying to do this and will post pictures once she's finished!
To sum up, orchids need intermediate sunlight, little water, warm room temperature, and regular orchid food.
I hope this info helps you take better care of your orchids, and you’re able to make them re-bloom! If you have any comments or questions, leave them below!
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