One of the biggest challenges of growing orchids is getting them to bloom on a regular basis. They’re so beautiful that you want them to be around as much as possible.
But if you’re struggling then you can take heart knowing you aren’t alone. Many orchid growers struggle to get their plants to rebloom, even after the initial flowering has ended.
So in this guide I’ll go over some simple steps you can take to encourage your orchid to rebloom. On top of that I’ve got some great tips to keep it looking healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Understanding Your Orchid’s Blooming Cycle
Understanding your orchids natural blooming cycle is useful before we get into encouraging new blooms.
Most orchids bloom once a year (although some may bloom more often). How long that blooming period will last depends on the species and their growing conditions. But generally it can be anywhere from a few weeks to some months.
After the blooming period ends the orchid then goes into a period of rest. It stores energy and nutrients during this phase, getting ready for the next blooming cycle.
This period of rest can last several months up to a year, again depending on the species and the growing conditions.
Whilst it’s going through that rest period make sure you give your orchid the best conditions so it’s healthy and prepared to rebloom. If you neglect it at this point then it may well not bloom for a long time afterwards (which you obviously don’t want).
Steps to Encourage Orchid Reblooming
Step 1: Prune and Repot Your Orchid
One of the first steps you can take to encourage your orchid to rebloom is to prune and repot it. Pruning will help to stimulate new growth and any damaged or dead leaves and roots should be removed as they could be stopping growth. Repotting will also encourage new growth as long as you use fresh and nutrient rich soil. There’s no point otherwise.
Getting the right pot size and the best soil is absolutely key when you repot. Orchids like soil that drains will as it lets their roots breathe.
They also like to be slightly crowded in their pots. So choose a pot that’s just slightly larger than the root ball.
See this guide for more orchid care tips.
Step 2: Provide Adequate Light
Orchids need plenty of light to grow and bloom properly. If you give them too much direct light though then it can damage their leaves and flowers. Bright and insect light is what an orchid would get on its natural environment and so will keep it happy.
A south or east facing window is usually the best spot for orchids. They should get a lot of that bright, indirect sub they like in these windows.
If your orchid doesn’t get enough light it may not bloom or the blooms you do get will be weaker.
Orchids also need the right amount of light to rebloom. Too little light will result in weak and unhealthy growth while too much light can cause the leaves to burn and the flowers to wilt. How much light it needs will depend on its species and the environment it’s in.
As mentioned before orchids prefer bright but indirect light. East or west facing windows are usually the best as they receive moderate amounts of sunlight in the morning or afternoon.
If whatever window your orchid sits in had too much light you can use a sheet curtain to filter the light. You can also use artificial lights specifically designed for orchids if you don’t have access to natural light.
If you notice that your orchid leaves are turning yellow or brown it could be a sign of too much light. But if the leaves are dark green and limp your orchid might not be getting enough light.
Try to monitor how much light your orchid is getting and make adjustments as needed. This way it should get the right amount for optimal growth and reblooming.
Step 3: Provide Adequate Water and Humidity
Another important factor in getting your orchid to reblooming is giving it the right amount of water and humidity. Orchids prefer moist soil. But they don’t like to be overwatered.
A good watering schedule is to water your orchid once a week or when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Humidity is also a big deal for orchids as they naturally grow in humid environments. You can increase humidity around your orchid by misting it regularly, putting a tray of water nearby or using a humidifier.
Orchids need a high level of humidity to really thrive because they are native to tropical regions. Dry air will cause their leaves to dry out and the flowers to wilt. But if there’s too much moisture the roots may rot and it can even lead to fungus.
A humidifier or a tray of water being out near your orchid should help to maintain the right levels of humidity. Misting can help but shouldn’t be relied upon too much as it’s not totally reliable.
And you mustn’t get water on the flowers as this can cause them to develop spots or rot.
Step 4: Fertilize Your Orchid
Regular fertilization is also important to get your orchid to rebloom. Use a balanced orchid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (typically spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing during the rest period though as it may damage the plant and rather than help actually stop it from reblooming.
Orchids need proper nutrition to rebloom. Fertilizers give them the nutrients that are necessary from them to grow and flower. You can use specialized orchid fertilizers which are will provide the right balance of nutrients specifically for orchids.
When fertilizing your orchid it’s important to follow the instructions on the package carefully. If you over fertilize it can burn the roots and damage your orchid. The recommended timeframe for fertilizing is once a month during the growing season. However once it reaches the dormant period you should at a minimum reduce how much you ferilize or stop completely.
Step 5: Provide Proper Air Circulation
The right air circulation is also important for getting your orchid to rebloom. If the air around it is stagnant or too humid it can result in fungus growing on your orchid. And this will damage the roots and stop it from blooming at all.
To get the air circulation right put your orchid somewhere with good air flow. Avoid putting it in a corner or against a wall where air doesn’t move freely.
You can also use a fan to create a gentle breeze around your orchid. Butdont blast them with too much air as the leaves might dry out.
You also need to avoid overcrowding your orchid. If you have too many plants in one area they can block each other’s air flow and prevent the air from circulating properly. If you need to keep more than one or two orchids in the same place then try to space them out as much as possible.
Try not to expose your orchid to extreme temperatures or drafts too. Keep them away from air conditioning or heating vents ans this will only stress them out. And avoid placing them in areas that are prone to sudden changes in temperature like near doors or windows.
Final Thoughts
You have to have patience and attention to detail when it comes to getting an orchid to rebloom.
But if you follow these steps and provide the right conditions you should feel confident of getting your orchid to produce beautiful new blooms every year. Just don’t forget to give it time as it can take quite a few months before you see your orchid rebloom.
New to orchids I managed to get mine to bloom 5 beautiful pick ones. It now finished flowers have dropped etc. I used turmeric wash seemed to have done the trick. Also trimmed any roots that were finished. Soil wise I’m in UK and the ” soil” is basically tree bark chips .
If your using a soil what type is it please. I’ve trimmed down the stem etc.