Gardener's Yards All About Gardening Now that your orchid has finished blooming, it’s time to think about what you’re going to do with it. Don’t worry, you have a few options.
This article will give you a complete guide on what to do with your orchids when they stop blooming.
But remember, no matter what you decide to do, orchids need plenty of light and humidity to thrive.
So if you cannot provide those things, your orchid may not last very long.
Here Are the Step-By-Step Guides on What to Do with Your Orchids When They Stop Blooming
Orchids are known for their long blooms, and they’re often grown as indoor plants.
But when the blooms fall off, you’ll want to know what to do with them.
First and foremost, don’t compost them.
Orchids are very delicate plants that shouldn’t be exposed to aggressive temperatures or chemicals in the soil.
And if you plan on repotting your orchid, it’s best to wait until the spring when the plant has died back and is ready for a fresh start.
If you’re interested in repotting your orchid, there are several different options:
- Use a pot with holes drilled into its bottom to encourage drainage of excess water from the root zone.
- Plant new roots into the soil with little or no fertilizer (this is how many people grow orchids).
- Plant new roots in a container with sand added to fill any voids left by fallen leaves or petals. The sand will help retain moisture while allowing air to flow around the root system.
Caring for Orchids After the Blooms Fall
As long as the normal orchid plant has strong flower spikes to support it, it can bloom repeatedly.
The long, stalk-like portion of an orchid plant where the leaves and the flowers are joined is called a spike.
Remove the orchid from its pot and check the roots.
If they’re dry, give them a little water and put the orchid back in its pot.
If the pot is wet, leave the orchid out to dry for a day or two before putting it back in.
Put the orchid in a bright, sunny spot and wait for new blooms to form.
At least one stalk will remain “alive” after the flowers have fallen off. Here, all you need to do is leave them alone.
Orchid care is a time-consuming and laborious process.
You have to make sure that your orchid doesn’t dry out, that it has enough water, and that it’s healthy.
Root Pruning
The first thing to do with orchids after blooms fall off is root pruning. It’s important to do this early in the season so that you can get rid of any dead parts of the plant and reduce the risk of an orchid dying completely.
Watering
Orchids hate being wet; they need air circulation to survive, but they also need moisture for their roots to thrive. Make sure you’re providing enough water for your orchid by checking its soil at least once per week—and make sure it has enough room in its pot so that it doesn’t get too much sun exposure on those sides where it gets more airflow!
Feeding
Orchids need fertilizer every two weeks, you can use diluted liquid fish food as a substitute for flowers and leaves if you don’t want them to eat them! Just make sure that you don’t overfeed.
How to Prune an Orchid
Use a clean, sharp blade that has preferably been sanitized by hot water or alcohol when pruning an orchid spike.
You run the danger of infecting your orchid plant if your blade is not rust-free.
The closest node to where the initial flower appeared should be given a clean cut.
Now that the blooms have fallen, it’s time to do some pruning. Cut the stem a few inches below the blooms.
If the stem is more than an inch in diameter, you can cut it into two or three sections and replant them.
Make sure to cut off any leaves that are brown or wilted.
You can either replant your orchid now or wait until spring. If you’re going to replant it, make sure to water it well.
If you’re going to wait until spring, put your orchid in a cool place (50-55 degrees F) and water it once a week.
While waiting for the next blooming cycle, it is true that a healthy orchid typically operates at its peak after a brief rest.
But the current plants you may buy will be in bloom for two or more months, pretty much any time of the year.
As a result, there will always be some overlap between seasons, such as winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Providing an Optimal Environment for Orchid Rebloom
It’s time to provide your orchid with the right environment to encourage rebloom.
This means keeping it in a place where it can get bright, indirect light. An east- or west-facing window is ideal.
If you can’t provide natural light, you can use a grow light instead.
As for temperature, you want to keep your orchid somewhere between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watering is also important at this stage. You want to make sure the potting mix is moist but not soggy, so water it thoroughly about once a week.
And be sure to fertilize it monthly with a high-phosphorus fertilizer to help promote blooming.
Finding Out Why Your Orchid Doesn’t Bloom
If you’re stumped as to why your orchid isn’t blooming, it might be worth reaching out to an expert.
The American Orchid Society has a great forum where you can ask questions and get advice from more experienced growers.
You can also try posting a question on Orchid Board, which is an online community of orchid growers of all levels of experience.
Someone there is bound to have encountered the same problem you’re having and will be able to offer some helpful advice.
Tips and Tricks on Getting Your Orchid to Rebloom
Now that you know how to take care of your orchid after the blooms have fallen, you’re probably wondering how to get it to rebloom.
Here are a few tips and tricks:
- Start by giving your orchid a rest period. This means withholding water and fertilizer for a few months to give the plant a chance to recover.
- Once the rest period is over, it’s time to start watering and fertilizing again. Be sure to use a balanced fertilizer and water your orchid regularly, but don’t overdo it.
- If you start seeing new growth, it’s time to repot your orchid in a fresh potting mix. This will give the plant the necessary nutrients to continue growing and blooming.
- Lastly, make sure your orchid is getting enough light. Orchids need 12 hours of light per day, so if you’re not providing enough natural light, you may need to supplement with artificial lighting.
Conclusion
When it comes to orchids, after the blooms have fallen off, you have a few different options.
You can either keep the orchid as it is, report it, or divide it.
Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to consider all of them before making a decision.
If you decide to keep the orchid as it is, you need to make sure to water it regularly and give it plenty of light.
If you decide to repot the orchid, use a pot that’s the right size and use soil specifically made for orchids.
Finally, if you decide to divide the orchid, make sure to do it during the growing season and use a pot that’s big enough for all the new plants.
