Orchids are incomparable. These exotic flowers look incredibly beautiful and their blooms are certainly the most beautiful part. Of course, if you have a plant in the house, you want to make sure it lasts as long as possible. Find out here how you should care for your orchids during flowering to have a lush flower and theto extend flowering time.
How should you care for orchids during flowering?
When you get an orchid, it's probably already blooming, and you'll do everything you can to make those blooms last longer or bloom again soon. Caring for orchids doesn't stop once they bloom. They are known for being very long-lived, for their flowers to last a long time and for being able to bloom several times a year. Follow these practical care tips to enjoy the beauty of your plant for as long as possible.
Offer your plant the best conditions
The lifespan of the orchid depends primarily on the type of plant and the quality of care. Ideally, their flowers last two to three months. However, this is just one of several blooming times in the orchid's life cycle. But since it usually uses a lot of energy when it blooms, it isproper carerequired during flowering.
- Temperature:Avoid temperatures well below 13°C and above 24°C, otherwise you will harm your plant and its flowers. Never place the orchid near heating or cooling equipment where air blows directly onto the plant as this will shorten the lifespan of the flowers.
- Licht:It is very important to find out how much light your orchid needs. If the plant develops a very light shade of green, this is a clear sign that it is getting too much light. On the other hand, if the plant turns a darker shade of green, usually forest green, this is a sign that it is not getting enough light. Regulating balance is very important.
- PourClean the orchid in the morning so that it has enough time to dry during the day and prevent it from standing in water.which leads to root rot. How often you water it depends on the type of soil it is in. Be careful not to get the flowers wet when you water your plant in the sink. Experienced orchid growers recommend imitating the rainforest environment by misting the flowers and leaves once or twice a week in the morning.
- Humidity:If possible, avoid low humidity as this can also shorten the lifespan of the flowers. Try to keep humidity above 40% for best results.
- FertilizeLightly water your flowering orchid weekly with a balanced but urea-free orchid fertilizer. Never fertilize a completely dry plant as the fertilizer can burn the dry roots.
- Location:Do not move an orchid from one place to another while it is blooming. This can cause a change in room temperature and stress the plant.
- When buying an orchid in the store, there is a very important tip to choose the plant so that it blooms for as long as possible. If possible, always buy an orchid whose flowers have not yet fully opened. The buds of Phalaenopsis orchids open first on the lowest buds and gradually open until those at the top of the umbel open. Ideally, choose a plant with only the lower flowers open and a few flower buds present.
- The season also plays an important role in the quality and duration of flowering. Remember that each type of orchid typically has a specific time of year when it blooms.
- Since the flowering period lasts around seven to eight weeks, or longer in some cases, there is a chance that the soil will become dry quite often, so you should check it more often.
- The flower stalks usually arise from the base, which lies on the underside of a leaf. You must ensure that the plant receives sufficient light and water to ensure full and healthy flowering.
What to do if the flowers fall off?
When the first flowering is over, the plant enters the so-called resting phase. The flowers fall off, and many people who have orchids for the first time think that the plant is dying and they tend to get rid of it. But that's definitely not the end.
After the last blossom has fallen,cut the stemback to the second or third node. Of course, you can leave the plant alone and it will be fine. However, cutting off the stem causes the orchid to sprout a new flower stalk.
If your orchid's bare stem has turned brown, you should remove it completely. Take a clean pair of pruning shears and make a precise cut at the bottom of the stem where it emerges from the base of the plant. This not only removes the dying branch, but also directs the plant's energy toward developing new roots, which in turn increases the likelihood that the plant will bloom the next year.
