For most orchids, replicating the environmental conditions where they thrive in the wild is a good means to maintain healthy, blooming plants.
Surprisingly, this is much easier than you'd think! Here are eight basic tips for blooming to get your started.
Surprisingly, this is much easier than you'd think! Here are eight basic tips for blooming to get your started.
- Buy for Blooms - Purchase mature orchids that are already in bloom, as young orchids may take months to years before they flower, and you know what their blooms look like.
Since many orchids bloom once a year, purchasing an orchid in bloom lets you know to expect more blooms in about twelve months' time. - Control the Temperature - Extremes in temperature can affect how your orchids' bloom.
If the temperature is too warm, your orchid may flower quickly but its bloom won't last long.
If it's too cold, flowering buds may fall off.
To ensure proper flowering, find out if your orchid thrives in high, medium or low temperatures, then follow the proper temperature guidelines.
To properly bloom on time, many orchids need to grow in an environment where there is at least a 10-20 degree drop in temperature at night.
The temperature variations that nature provides orchids outdoors, you will have to recreate at home.
Buy a minimum/maximum thermometer and place it in different parts of your house to find the spots where there is a significant drop in night temperature; these spots often are well-placed on windowsills, which will provide natural light.
Move your orchids to that space so the temperature change will help trigger your orchid's blooming process. - Good Watering Techniques - For some types of orchids, dry periods provide the trigger to bloom.
During the winter, when the weather is cold and dry, water less frequently, to ensure that your orchid media dries well between watering.
As soon you see buds on your orchid, however, go back to watering regularly.
Flowers buds are made up mostly of water, so help the buds bloom better by hydrating them.
If your plant gets too dry during budding, the buds may just dry up and fall off. - Good Light is Essential - Orchids need good light to flower.
To find out if your plant is getting enough light, take a look at the leaves.
Are the leaves a dark green color, or are they darker green than when you first bought them? This means that your plant lacks adequate light.
Move your orchids to an area where there is a stronger supply of diffused light.
Remember that healthy orchids should have light-green colored leaves. - Proper Propagation - When your orchid is starting to bud, delay transplanting or dividing the plant until after flowering.
You don't want to damage your plant's roots, which supply the much-needed water to the new buds. - Protect from Predators - If you check your orchids carefully for insects before purchasing, then you are taking an important step to avoid bringing home pests.
Inspect your orchids frequently - if you find insects on your flower buds, wash them off immediately with warm water instead of using pesticides, which could kill the tender new buds.
You also have to watch out for mice and cockroaches, because these pests are attracted to the young, sweet orchid buds. - Healthy HumidityOur homes, especially during winter, often have a humidity level of about 10% or less (much like the average humidity of the Mojave desert).
When the environment is too dry, your flower buds may just dry up and fall off.
Maintain a humidity level of about 50% to keep your plants healthy and supple.
Do this by misting your plant early in the day, and by setting your orchid on a tray with wet pebbles. - Feed with Care - Fertilize only when your plants are actively growing.
Reduce or stop fertilizer use during the winter months when growth is very slow.
An over-fertilized orchid has a lot of foliage growth with no blooms.
Take note of your fertilizer's nitrogen number (the first number on the fertilizer bag) -- ensure it's not too strong or your plant's flowering will be affected.
Consult a good orchid guide to determine good nitrogen levels for your orchids.
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