Orchids are a whole genus of beautiful flowering plants, highly valued ornamentally precisely because of the great variety in the shapes and colors of their flowers, all of them of great beauty. Currently there are more than 25,000 species and 60,000 hybrids due to their great success and popularity, although many fans encounter problems when it comes to enjoying the flowering of their orchids, and that is that they must know well what care they need so that their flowers appear and shine in all its splendor.
If you want to learn more about the orchid bloomkeep reading us in this complete guide of EcologíaVerde.
How long do orchids take to bloom?
get the orchids first bloom It is not particularly difficult, since it is enough for the plant to have its basic needs for water, light and nutrients supplied. How long does it take for this first bloom to appear? Depends on variety and circumstances specific, but in the case of, for example, the Phalaenopsis, one of the most common to acquire, they can pass up to 3 or 4 years from germination.
The first blooms will always be poorer and smaller, flowers of great size and beauty will not be obtained until at least three seasons later. If we add to this that some later species or varieties need up to 8 years to flower, we will understand why they are expensive flowers.
doHow do I know if my orchid is going to bloom? so? Really, the best thing to do in this case is to provide the plant with all its needs and be attentive to the birth of the floral stem of an orchid and its consequent flower buds, which are the only unequivocal sign that the plant is preparing to bloom.
When do orchids bloom?
In its natural habitat, in tropical zonesorchids can give up to three blooms a year. However, this only occurs in this type of climate, where the seasons are not very marked and there are no significant changes in temperature.
If you do not live in a tropical climate zone, your orchid will give flowers once a yearwhich will almost always be located in spring. In the northern hemisphere, this will normally happen from the end of March, although it will depend on the specific characteristics of the climate in the area.
How long do orchid flowers last?
When the conditions are right, if we offer good care to this plant, the flowering of the orchid can last for 3 months, being one of the longest lasting ornamental flowering plants. Specifically, the flowers will last longer in a cool climate, while in a warmer one the flowers will wither sooner.
Caring for orchids in bloom
During flowering, the needs of the orchid are not greatly altered. These are the key points of the caring for orchids with flower:
- Light: abundant and indirect or sieved.
- Location: protected from drafts and heat sources.
- Temperature: above 10ºC always. Necessary vegetative period.
- Irrigation: up to twice a week in the warm months, always without overdoing it or flooding. Fortnightly in the cold months. Here you can learn more about How to water an orchid.
- Humidity: It is necessary to spray water lightly on its leaves in dry environments or place the plant on water and stones, without the roots touching the water.
- Substratum: very light and porous, preferably specific for epiphytes or orchids.
- Pass: it is necessary to use specific fertilizer for orchids, the universal one can burn the roots.
In this other post you can learn more about How to care for orchids.
How to make an orchid bloom again
get that the orchids bloom again It is the nightmare of many fans, who sometimes give up and end up getting rid of the plant after the first flowering. However, these plants can continue to flourish. You just have to pay special attention to the orchid care when flowers fall:
- The first and most important thing is to know when cut orchid stems, that is, pruning. This must be done once the flowering has finished and as long as it has not developed no keiki, that is, a new small plant from the node of the floral stem, a way of reproducing orchids. If the rod has a knot, it is cut above it or the rod is removed directly, it is up to the gardener’s preferences.
- give your orchid a lot of light after flowering, although always indirectly.
- contribute specific fertilizers at the end of winter so that the plant prepares for the new flowering.
- Let the plant notice the temperature changes of the seasons. If you do not feel the cold in winter, you will not enter vegetative period and, without it, it will not bloom again.
Why doesn’t an orchid bloom?
If you still wonder: Why is my orchid not blooming?, it is most likely due to one of the points explained above. If you give your plant enough light and moisture without waterlogging it, allow it to go into dormancy, and prune it properly after flowering, it should give a new bloom the following spring. If even with all this it does not happen, it is most likely that your plant is affected by some disease or pest such as fungi or insects.
In the video below we show you 7 common mistakes when caring for orchids so that you learn from them and avoid them in time.
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