How to Get Orchids to Rebloom? If you have this question lurking in your mind, our post will help you get all the answers!
These orchid reblooming tips will turn you into an Orchid flower expert in no time. And soon, you’ll be the one answering the “How to Get Orchids to Rebloom?” question for others. But before we get to that, you must know one thing.
Do Orchids Rebloom?
So, do orchids rebloom? Yes, orchids rebloom if you provide the right conditions. Obviously, there are some varieties that rebloom more readily than others. Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums, Brassia, and Vandas–all of these can bloom multiple times a year.
How to Get Orchids to Rebloom?
Trying to make orchids rebloom is actually pretty simple if you know what you’re doing.
1. Make the Temperature Drop
The first thing you need to do is provide a temperature drop. It’s not that hard to do. You can crack a window open at night or lower your thermostat. You can also move the orchid to a cooler area, like the basement or a sunroom, at night.
The drop in temperature varies from orchid to orchid, but here’s an idea for making sure the drop is just right.
- Warm Orchids (Cattleya, Phalaenopsis): Night temperatures between 60-65°F (15-18°C) with a 41-46°F (5-8°C) drop from daytime temperatures.
- Intermediate Orchids (Dendrobium, Oncidium): Nights between 55-60°F (12-15°C). The drop from the daytime should be around 41-46°F (5-8°C).
- Cool Orchids (Miltonia, Paphiopedilum): About 45-50°F (7-10°C) during the night. A 41-46°F (5-8°C) drop from daytime would be nice.
2. Try the Ice Cube Method
You can also go with the ice cube method to trigger reblooming in orchids. It’s actually a popular watering technique where you don’t pour the water into the pot but place a few ice cubes there. They will melt away slowly and give the orchid steady and slow water.
The ice cube method is best for orchids that need slightly drier root environments, like Phalaenopsis. The ice cube method won’t magically make your orchid rebloom, but it can help with proper watering, which is a piece of the reblooming puzzle.
Note: Check the moisture level every day to supplement the ice with water so the root system does not remain dry.
3. Make an Orchid-Specific Potting Mix
Orchids don’t grow in regular potting soil! They are epiphytes so they cling to trees and rocks, getting moisture and nutrients from the air.
Orchid roots need excellent airflow and drainage so you need to create a special orchid potting mix which will take care of them properly.
- Bark-Based Mix: These mixes are made up of large chunks or pieces of bark from fir or pine trees. Bark-based mixes provide good aeration, drainage, and moisture retention.
- Sphagnum Moss: Sphagnum moss is another popular component in orchid mixes. It retains moisture well and provides good drainage. Mix it with other materials, such as bark or perlite, to improve aeration.
- Perlite and Vermiculite: Perlite and vermiculite are lightweight materials that you can add to orchid mixes to improve aeration and drainage. They help prevent compaction and maintain a well-structured growing medium.
4. Consider Re-potting the Orchids
Orchids like a fresh and airy home for their roots. Plus, any old potting mix can break down and become clogged over time, making it hard for air and water to reach the roots. You should repot your orchid with fresh mix as it would give the roots the space that they need to grow healthy and strong.
Repotting is also a good chance to clean up your orchid. You can remove any old or rotten roots that might be hiding in the pot.
5. Use The Right Fertilizer
Using the right feed will help orchid plants bloom better. A balanced liquid blend, once in 4-6 weeks, after diluting to 1/4 of its strength works the best. You can also use home-made feed. Read this article for it.
6. Implement a Resting Period
The next step in making your orchid flowers rebloom is letting them rest. No, seriously. The resting period is actually a period of dormancy that will help the plant reduce all activity for a while. It can also trigger reblooming just after the resting period.
Some orchids, like Phalaenopsis, don’t need a long rest, but you can still water them less often. Other orchids, like Cymbidium, need a cooler temperature and much less water during their long winter rest.
Look for new roots or leaves emerging from the crown. If your orchid is putting out new growth consistently, it means the resting is over and it needs proper and regular watering again.
Quick Orchid Care to Make Them Rebloom
- Keep your orchids in a bright spot, but don’t let direct sunlight fall on them.
- Water these well and let the topsoil dry before you bring the watering can anywhere near them.
- Prune spent flowers and flower spikes so the plant sprouts new ones instead of focusing the energy on them.
