Orchids are one of the most popular houseplants. They have incredibly beautiful and exotic blooms that can’t fail to wow people. However, once the flowers fall off many people wonder if their orchid will ever bloom again.
The good news is that with proper care and attention your orchid can grow a new spike and produce new blooms. But knowing they can doesn’t mean you know how to get them to.
So I’m going to take you through the steps to encourage your orchid to grow a new spike and produce more beautiful flowers.
Understanding the Growth Cycle of Orchids
Before we get into the specific steps for growing a new spike it’s useful to understand the growth cycle of orchids.
Orchids go through periods of growth and dormancy. And their blooming cycle is closely tied to their growth cycle.
Most orchids are dormant for a time in the winter. This gives them a chance to rest and prepare for the next growing season.
That growing season, which runs from spring through to the fall, is when they are likely to bloom again. They will produce new leaves, spikes and roots.
Provide Proper Growing Conditions
In order for your orchid to produce a new spike it needs to be in the right environment. The ideal growing conditions for orchids are:
- Bright, indirect light: Orchids need plenty of light to grow. But direct sunlight can be too harsh and will burn their leaves. So put your orchid in a bright, sunny spot whilst making sure you are protecting it from direct sunlight.
- Proper temperature: Most orchids prefer temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night. So don’t put your orchid in a drafty or too warm spot.
- Adequate humidity: Orchids thrive in humid environments. So it’s important to provide them with plenty of moisture. If they’re not getting enough humidity then try putting a tray of water near to it. Alternatively you can buy/use a humidifier. Both work well.
- Proper watering: Orchids need to be watered regularly. But they don’t like to sit in standing water. So let the top inch of soil dry out before watering it again. And make sure you’re using well draining potting mix. Use this guide to get your watering exactly right.
Pruning and Maintenance
The right maintenance and pruning back dead or dying growth makes a difference to your orchid growing a new spike. This is what you need to do:
- After your orchid has finished blooming you should prune off the old flower spike. Use clean, sharp scissors and make a clean cut just above the first node.
- Remove any dead or yellowing leaves or roots as they can attract pests and spread disease.
- Repot your orchid every 1 to 2 years. Doing so will give it fresh potting mix and the right drainage. This also helps stop the soil from becoming compacted as it can also impact on your orchids ability to grow a new spike.
Stimulating New Growth
Once you’ve given your orchid the proper growing conditions and pruned it then it’s time to stimulate new growth.
To encourage your orchid to grow a new spike:
- Feed it a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. It will get the much need nutrients for supporting new growth from the fertilizer and it helps with the development of any new spikes.
- New growth can be stimulated by giving your orchid a period of cooler temperature during the winter months. Simply put your orchid in a cooler room (the easier solution) or reduce the temperature of wherever your orchid currently lives.
- Think about using a growth hormone to stimulate new growth. You can get quite a few products that should help to encourage new spikes to grow.
- Increase the humidity around your orchid. As mentioned earlier either use a humidifier or a tray of water placed nearby will help raise the humidity.
Fertilize Your Orchid Regularly
If you want your orchid to grow a new spike then fertilizing it regularly is one of the most important things you can do. Orchids need nutrients to produce new growth and blooms. When you fertilize it you’re making sure it has all the necessary nutrients to grow that new spike or spikes.
The best time to fertilize is during the active growing season. This is usually from spring to fall. During the winter months when your orchid is in a dormant state you should reduce how much fertilizing you’re doing.
There are a few different options you can choose from when it comes to ferilizing. You can use a balanced fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Alternatively, you can use a specialized orchid fertilizer that has higher levels of potassium, as this is a big part of promoting growth.
You can also choose between liquid or granular fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer is easy to apply and is quickly absorbed by the plant. Granular fertilizer gives a slower release of nutrients over a longer time.
When fertilizing your orchid you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Over fertilizing will lead to damage to the roots and leaves. In turn this will result in stunted growth and poor blooming. Under fertilizing on ther other hand can also lead to weak growth and delayed blooming.
And don’t forget to check that the soil is moist before fertilizing your orchid. Applying fertilizer to dry soil can burn the roots.
Provide Adequate Lighting
Proper lighting is another big part of getting orchids to produce new spikes. They require bright, indirect light to grow properly.
However, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and damage the plant. You have to find the right balance of light otherwise there’s a good chance your orchid will struggle in various ways.
The amount of light your orchid requires depends on the type of orchid it is. Some orchids, such as Phalaenopsis, require low to medium light. Others, such as Vanda orchids, require high light.
If your orchid is not getting enough light it more than likely won’t grow a new spike. If it’s getting too much light the leaves may turn yellow and burn. (See this guide for more reasons your orchid is turning yellow).
To get the right amount of light for your orchid you can place it near a bright, east facing window or you can use artificial lighting. Grow lights work very well for orchids that aren’t getting enough natural light.
LED grow lights provide a full spectrum of light and are energy efficient. Place the grow lights 12 to 18 inches above the plant and leave them on for 12 to 16 hours a day.
Maintain The Right Humidity Levels
Orchids thrive in environments with high humidity levels. High humidity levels let them absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves and roots.
If the humidity levels are too low the leaves may dry out and become brittle. This will result in poor blooming and stunted growth.
To get the best humidity levels for your orchid you can use a humidifier or put a tray of water near the plant. Another option is to place your orchid in a room with high humidity levels, like the bathroom or kitchen. You can also group several orchids together as they create a microclimate and provides one another with higher humidity levels.
Final Thoughts
It’s always rewarding to grow and see success with your orchid. Yes, the process can be challenging, but it’s worth all the effort when you see your orchid blooming and thriving.
You’ve got to be patient though. It won’t happen overnight. But if you follow the steps in this guide you shouldn’t have any problems.
Just remember to give your orchid the proper care, including the right amount of light, water and fertilizer. If you do it’ll have the best chance to thrive and produce new spikes for years to come.
And if you’re new to orchid growing don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to get the hang of it. With patience (yes, more) and persistence you’ll get the hang of it.
Keep learning, experimenting and observing your orchids. Soon enough you’ll be able to predict their growth and patterns they bloom. Which will help you to get them growing new spikes.
And as every orchid is unique what works for one won’t for another. So don’t be afraid to try new things and adjust what you’re doing. With some trial and error you’ll be able to find the right approach for your orchid and watch it bloom for years.
Thanks good information
Great information! Thank you!!
Good article!