How long orchids bloom and how to extend the flowering period: consider the following tips
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How long orchids bloom? They can flower for several months in the right conditions, for many years. When orchids don’t bloom, many people think they are dead and throw them away. The care of these plants in the vegetative state is extremely easy and after a few months you can get your orchids to bloom again. Read this article to find out how to extend your plant’s flowering period.
Make Orchids Bloom with These Tips
How long do orchids bloom? By following these simple tips, you will get the most out of your orchids and enjoy their blooms for as long as possible.
Make Sure That You Choose a Good Plant at the Store
When shopping for an orchid, it’s very tempting to buy the one with the most spectacular flowers, but that usually means it’s at the end of its flowering stage rather than at the beginning. Your orchid may only flower for a few weeks. After that, the flowers die and fall off the plant. It is far better to choose a plant with a strong and healthy stem that has some unopened buds showing that the flower stem itself is still growing. In this way you can be sure that you will enjoy new flowers for weeks or even months.
Temperature Control & Light Exposure Can Prolong Flowering Time
It is generally better to keep your orchids slightly cool as this will stimulate the flowering process. When you buy your orchid and transport it home, try not to stress it too much by exposing it to excessively hot or cold conditions. It can be a good idea to place the purchase at the bottom of your shopping list so that you can transport her home relatively quickly to give her ideal conditions. At home, a temperature of (18°C to 25°C) is sufficient for most common varieties of orchids. Avoid sudden temperature changes in your home to prolong flowering and reduce the stress on your plant.
When do orchids bloom – Adequate exposure to light can prolong the flowering period. Orchids thrive in indirect but bright light. Too little light leads to reduced photosynthesis, which can affect the ability to generate energy to sustain the current bloom. Excessive direct sunlight can cause excessive drying and even burning of the buds and leaves. This can lead not only to a rapid loss of existing flowers, but even the death of the entire orchid.
Proper Watering Can Help Your Plants Bloom for Months
Orchids are very sensitive to the amount of water you give them and this can greatly affect the health of the plant and therefore the length of the flowering period. Orchids should always be potted in a well-drained medium, in a pot with plenty of drainage holes. They suffer greatly from standing in water or being watered excessively as this can cause suffocation and root death. It is best to monitor the dryness of the potting soil and wait until it is almost completely dry before watering.
You should soak the roots thoroughly with water, being careful not to get the leaves and flowers wet. Doing this gives the orchid enough water so the flowers can focus on blooming.
Do Not Spray Orchids to Avoid Damaging Their Flowers
Orchids thrive in a humid environment, but regularly spraying the flowers with water can increase the risk of fungal diseases. As a result, the orchid will not bloom and may die.
This advice is sometimes questioned because orchids, particularly the common varieties grown at home, are plants native to the tropical rainforests. Rainforests are notorious for their frequent rains and high humidity, and it can be assumed that this predisposes the orchids to fungal diseases. However, air circulation is poor in most spaces and the combination of damp flowers and lack of air circulation greatly increases the risk of fungal diseases in indoor orchids.
Why orchid buds dry up and fall off? What can you do about it? Read this article!
How Long Orchids Bloom Depends On the Variety
Although these orchid flowering tips are a general guide, there are differences between common varieties. How long orchids bloom depends on the exact variety. We therefore recommend that you also look for information that is specific to your plants.
The most commonly purchased variety is the Phalaenopsis orchid, which typically blooms for two to four months. Flowering time depends on the condition of the plant and how well it is cared for. There are reports of orchids living over 100 years. There are many other varieties of orchids. The typical flowering time of the most popular among them is listed below.
- Cattleya: 7-21 days
- Oncidium (Dancing-lady orchid): 4-6 weeks
- Paphiopedilum (Venus slipper): 6-8 weeks
- Phalaenopsis: 8-16 weeks
- Dendrobium: 6-12 weeks
Why you should grow orchids at home? You can find out here!
Read also: Coffee Grounds for Orchids: An Effective Fertilizer or a Mistake to Avoid at All Costs?