This Mythbusters blog post tackles the commonly held belief that orchids are hard to grow, and that once orchids have flowered, they don’t flower again and should be thrown away. We disagree.
Some background on orchids:
The orchid family has over 880 different types (called genera) and over 22,000 species. These numbers are growing every year, making orchids the largest and most diverse of the flowering plant families, and an extremely popular choice as a houseplant. The American Orchid Society has been in existence for 80 years and is dedicated to providing orchid growers with the most comprehensive orchid information on the planet – and their website is a trove of useful information for anyone wanting to start growing orchids at home.
The most common orchid that you see at the nursery or even your local grocery store is the Phalaenopsis orchid. Also known as the Moth Orchid, these orchids are popular because they flower for months (up to 4-5 months in optimal conditions) and grow well in normal household conditions. This means that they actually are good for beginners, even if it may not feel like it.
Phaleanopsis have thick, shiny leaves and beautiful, arching sprays of flowers. Because Phaleanopsis has been extensively hybridized, flowers come in thousands of options, ranging from large pearl-white flowers to tiny miniatures in yellow and candy pink, and everything in between.
Common complaints about orchids:
The most common complaint we hear about orchids is that they are hard to grow. And what people actually mean when they say that, is that they find it hard to get their orchids to flower again, after the first bloom.
How often do you hear about someone who received a beautiful flowering orchid as a housewarming or birthday gift, but then confessed to throwing it out after the flowers fell off, because they didn’t know what to do with it, or they thought it was dead?
It’s important to note that like many flowers, phalaenopsis only bloom once a year, so after your orchid has finished flowering, you can expect a period in which nothing happens. This is normal and is a resting stage called dormancy. It may seem like your plant is dead, but we can assure you it isn’t!
You will need to keep your orchid alive and healthy during the dormancy period – usually 6-9 months – so please don’t throw it away after it has finished flowering! It’s simply replacing the nutrients it consumed while it flowered.
Orchids really aren’t much more work than the average houseplant, and if you follow these simple tips we’re confident that your orchid will flower again and again, providing many more years of enjoyment.
How to get orchids to flower again:
When your orchid has finished flowering and the flower spike has started to dry out and go brown, you can cut the spike off. Many people recommend cutting the spike off near the base of the plant, however, my personal experience has been that my orchids grow their next flower spike from a node in the first one, so cutting it off too close to the base stops this from happening. I usually just cut off the dry, brown part of the spike.
Then you need to find a good permanent spot in which your orchid can during its dormancy. Orchids don’t like to be moved very much, so ideally, try to find a spot where they can stay.
In general, phalaenopsis orchids prefer:
- Bright light – but not direct sunlight, because this will scorch the leaves
- Humidity – but no “wet feet”. Most orchids like to get almost dry and then be flooded with water and allowed to get almost dry again.
- Warmth – the ideal temperature for phalaenopsis is around 22 – 26 degrees celsius.
- Out of the way of drafts
In my house – in the picture below – this equates to the windowsill of my laundry room. All my orchids are lined up on the windowsill once they have finished flowering, and I keep the window behind them closed. They get bright light, but not direct sun, and warmth and humidity from the tumble dryer.
I know that many people keep their orchids in the bathroom because that’s the most humid place they can think of. In my experience, the average bathroom too dim for orchids, especially if the windows are frosted. So unless your bathroom has a skylight or lots of bright, natural light, that may not be the best spot for your orchids.
Once you’ve found a good spot for your orchid, you can begin routine orchid care.
Routine care for your orchids:
1. Watering:
Phalaenopsis are typically grown in a mixture of pine bark, charcoal, and sphagnum moss, which is designed to drain quickly (thus preventing “wet feet”). This allows the orchid’s roots to get plenty of air. I water my orchids once a week, but this does depend on the humidity and temperature. I soak the roots but don’t let water sit between the leaves (as this can cause rot) and then I let the plant dry out completely before I water again.
2. Fertilization:
Fertilizing is important if you want your orchid to flower – as we mentioned above your orchid needs to replace the nutrients it used up. You can use a liquid fertilizer at quarter strength, and fertilize weekly or monthly. Orchids are not heavy feeders, so don’t overfeed your plant, but they do benefit tremendously from fertilizer.
3. Preparing for flowers:
Phalaenopsis orchids are triggered to flower by temperature, which means that they actually need a few cold nights to stimulate a flower spike. For many people, this means orchids will start to develop their spikes in autumn when household temperatures start to drop. Alternatively, you can take your plant outside for a few nights when the temperatures fall into the teens as this will hopefully cause a flower spike to emerge.
Let the experts at Ambius help
I’m confident that if you follow these basic tips, your orchids will continue to flower each season. However, if you really feel that orchid care is not for you and you want to enjoy their beautiful flowers in your workplace, Ambius offers a wide range of serviced Phaleanopsis orchids in beautiful containers, on a rental basis. Our trained technicians will keep your orchids looking gorgeous, and will replace them regularly to ensure that they always look their best. Contact us today for a survey. No matter your budget, our experts will provide a tailor-made solution that will enhance your workplace.
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