Ultimate Flower Guide: Orchids | Interflora (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret for blooming orchids? ›

Lots of indirect Sunlight

Light is the key element to growing amazing orchids and getting them to bloom year after year. They like a lot of indirect light. Find a spot near a sunny window, even on the windowsill. If it's direct light, morning light is best, but any sunny window should do.

Answer. Habenarias have been promoted as being among the most difficult orchids to grow.

Trim 1 inch above that node, or bump, on the orchid spike. For unhealthy, brown spikes: Cut all the way back to the base of the plant. For double-spike orchids: Cut one spike at the base of the plant. Cut the other spike 1 inch above the node under the lowest flower bloom.

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Orchid Food is a great way to nurture orchids and other acid-loving plants. It gives plants a deep, rich leaf color, beautiful blooms and strong roots. Apply it every 2-weeks during active growth periods and every 4-weeks during rest periods.

How to Fertilize Orchids. After a month, give your orchids extra nutrition with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Orchid Food. For best results, apply every two weeks while orchids are blooming, and every four weeks during rest periods, following label directions.

In the wild, orchids are able to live about 20 years, depending on the type of orchid and the environment. Potted orchids do not have quite the same life span, but with proper care, it is not usual for orchids to live for between 10 to 15 years. There are some reports of orchids living for significantly longer.

In nature, orchid roots are often exposed to light. Clear plastic pots mimic these conditions. These types of pots are especially helpful if you are prone to overwatering your orchid. A clear plastic pot makes it easy to see if the potting media is moist before watering.

Unlike most houseplants, you don't need to keep orchid moss evenly moist; if it stays too moist, the orchid can rot. You can also water your orchid like a traditional houseplant – just apply a splash of water to the moss once every seven to 10 days.

What About Watering Orchids In Bloom? Regularly water orchids that are blooming, growing new roots, or new leaves. While some orchids such as Cattleyas and Dendrobiums like to dry out between watering, others such as Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilums like to remain evenly moist.

How do you make an orchid grow a new spike? ›

To get a new orchid flower spike, place the plant in an area with a lower room temp — about 55–65°F at night should do it. Placing your orchid in a window away from the heater might work, too. We've had best success getting new flower spikes in winter, when our homes and their windows aren't as warm.

Of all of the more commonly available orchids, only Phalaenopsis (the moth orchid) will re-bloom from its old spike. Phalaenopsis will generally re-bloom given a little extra care.

Orchids will grow new stems, fortunately. You can propagate a new Phalaenopsis or Vanda orchids from stem cuttings. Or you can divide a cattleya's rhizomes. You can also expect a flower spike to grow back after cutting it down when its blooms die.

Crushed eggshells

Eggshells are packed with generous amounts of calcium and potassium, which orchids need in order to thrive. This trick is super easy. Simply save eggshells and crush them using a blender or a mortar and pestle.

Growers suggest using a "balanced" fertilizer such as 20-20-20 that includes all "necessary trace elements." Regardless of the fertilizer formulation you choose to use, it should contain little or no urea.

During the wet season orchids grow vigorously putting out new growth – this is the time to fertilize. During the dry season, the orchid does not grow new roots, or leaves and does not need fertilizing.

Unfortunately, you can't use traditional soil to pot your orchid because it's too dense to support your orchid's delicate and unique root system. Since orchids are epiphytic plants, their roots require plenty of air to survive. Essentially, regular soil will suffocate your plant.

A prominent brand suggests diluting 1 teaspoon of magnesium sulfate per gallon of warm water and applying it once a month. Some growers use ½ teaspoon per gallon with every watering, while still others use a higher concentration in the autumn to encourage blooming.

Should I put my orchid in soil? ›

Terrestrial orchids, such as paphiopedilums and some cymbidiums, grow in soil. But most tropical orchids are epiphytes, which means that they grow in the air, rather than in soil.

After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.

Phalaenopsis orchids bloom in the late winter through the spring. In late June and July the Phalaenopsis orchids in our collection finally lose their blooms, some will remain in bloom for awhile longer. The ideal time to repot orchids is when they go out of bloom and Phalaenopsis is no exception.

Typically, orchids live for 20-25 years if grown indoors, though the life span of an orchid plant surely depends on how attentive its grower is and how well it's cared for.

Most orchids require a 4, 5 or 6 inch pot. There are seedlings and miniatures that require smaller pots, older specimen plants and some genera (Cymbidium, Phaius, large Cattleya...) that often require 8 inch pots or bigger but the majority of orchids sold in groceries, box stores, florists and the like are not these.

The main disadvantage of terracotta is that orchid roots will stick to the pot. There is no maybe, it will happen. Sometimes the only way to extricate the roots from the pot is to break the pot. Many of the roots will have to be cut from the pot with scissors.

Most orchids will have aerial roots reaching out into the air, rather than digging down into the potting media. These roots are looking for a tree branch to attach to. These roots absorb moisture from the air. Do not trim off these wandering roots, just let them do their thing.

Set your orchids on top of the pebbles and fill the tray with water, making sure water doesn't touch the bottom of the pots. As the water evaporates, it will humidify the air right around the plant.

Both overwatering and under-watering will cause damage to the root system of your orchid and eventually lead to dehydration. You will know your orchid is dehydrated when you see that its bottom leaves are yellow and wilted, and its buds are falling off instead of opening (bud blast).

Water your orchid early in the morning. This insures complete water evaporation on the foliage as well as the crown by nightfall. If your home is very warm or has low humidity you will most likely need to water more often. The best place to water your plant is in the kitchen sink.

How often do you mist orchids? ›

Most indoor orchids come from humid, tropical regions, so need a humid atmosphere. In most centrally heated homes the air is dry, so mist the foliage every two to three days using tepid water (avoid spraying the flowers), or stand the pot on a tray of damp gravel.

Most orchids will survive for two to three weeks (a typical vacation period) without watering, occasionally up to one month. Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and Phalaenopsis all will survive with up to three weeks of not watering as long as their medium is maintained moist.

Can you grow orchids in water? Orchids do quite well in water, as long as they're given the proper care. It may even be easier to grow orchids in water for some, as you don't have to worry about soil maintenance and watering.

Orchid Is Growing Roots – What To Do With Orchid Roots Coming From Plant. If your orchids are developing crazy-looking tendrils that look a little like tentacles, don't worry. Your orchid is growing roots, specifically aerial roots – a perfectly normal activity for this unique, epiphytic plant.

Cut the stem all the way down to the base of the plant. This is the best way to encourage the plant to focus on growing healthier roots and encourage a full bloom in the next year. The healthier the root system is, the happier your orchid is going to be.

Phalaenopsis orchids are beautiful and prolific. If left alone, each spike produces five to 10 blooms at a time, and each flower can last up to three months. With a little care, however, you can coax even more flowers out of a Phal. Here's how you can enjoy almost never-ending blooms on a Phalaenopsis.

Orchids are a formal flower. Use other flowers that are more formal as well, such as roses, peonies and calla lilies. Sprays of vandal orchids complement the blousy glamor of Oriental and Asiatic lilies. Gladiolus resemble orchids and give height to an arrangement.

Orchid dehydration can manifest in more subtle ways, too — from small leaves to small bloom stems with just a few flowers, or no bloom stems at all! Careful and consistent watering, plus light fertilizer may be enough to revive your plant.

Phalaenopsis orchid plants can bloom anywhere from a modest two to three flowers to a jaw-dropping 100. There are hundreds of Phalaenopsis orchid hybrids boasting of a rainbow of different colors and hues and intricate variegations.

After a period of rest, the plant will send out a new flower stalk, which may come from the existing stalk or from new leaves at the base of the plant. Give the old flower stalk a chance to rebloom; there is nothing to lose.

How do I know if my orchid is growing a root or a stem? ›

Determining whether a new growth is a root or a flower spike is largely a matter of visual observation and time. Orchid flower spikes are usually greener than roots and have a flatter, mitten-shaped tip. While growing, spikes remain green along their full length.

This dormancy stage is a resting period where the plant has time to replace nutrients that were dispensed during the blooming process. This dormancy stage usually lasts about six to nine months. After that, your orchid will have the energy to rebloom again.

It's also important that you don't just cut your plant anywhere, since it might damage your orchid plant further. So be sure to cut the damaged leaf at the base, or the point where it joins the rest of the plant.

Orchids grow back not just once but for a lifetime as long as you provide them with proper plant care. They can rebloom on the same old flower spike as long as it is still green. You can also decide to cut the old bare flower spike back to a node to promote bushy and lush foliage. This gives your plant overall health.

Help your orchids grow by providing plenty of indirect sunlight. Put your orchid in a cooler spot at night. Cooler nighttime temperatures (55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit) help new flower spikes emerge. When a new spike appears, you can return your orchid to its normal setting.

Like all plants, orchids require sufficient light in order to produce flowers. Insufficient light is the most common cause of failure to re-bloom your orchid. Leaf color indicates if the amount of light is adequate. The lush, rich, dark green of most houseplants is not desirable in orchid leaves.

Without adequate light, expect lush growth but no flowers. Insufficient light is the most common reason for failure to bloom. These plants thrive in strong light, but direct sunlight can burn orchids. Bright, indirect light from an eastern or southern window is ideal.

According to the Epsom Salt Council, the white crystalline “makes plants grow bushier, produces more flowers, increases chlorophyll production, and deters pests (including slugs).” Commercial orchid growers have been supplementing their feeding regimes for over a century and cite noticeable improvement in the bud count ...

Overall, the most common reason that orchids fail to bloom is insufficient light. The Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum orchids are usually happy with the filtered light in a windowsill but many other varieties need more light than that.

New leaves that grow in smaller than previous leaves indicate that your orchid is under stress and unable to devote adequate energy to leaf development. Check light and temperature levels first. Extreme temperatures or inadequate light can impair leaf growth. You may need to move your plant closer to a window.

Do orchids like to be misted with water? ›

Most indoor orchids appreciate higher humidity levels, but misting by hand doesn't need to be part of your orchid care.

Coffee grounds are an excellent fertilizer, especially for orchids and African violets.

Orchids are tropical plants that love humidity, and they won't take up much space in your bathroom. They tolerate low light but they thrive best in bright, indirect sunlight, so they'll like it best on your bathroom windowsill.

How often you water an orchid depends on the species and the environment they're kept in, but, on average, most orchids can be watered once a week to every 10 days. Just be careful not to oversaturate them. “In general, orchid plants need much less water than the average consumer would think.

Resting Up. Flowering can last from one to three months after which the plant goes into a period of rest or dormancy. During this time, it stores energy for the next flowering period. Throughout an orchid's dormant time, blooms drop from the stem, and the stem may shrivel and turn gray or brown.