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How often do orchids bloom? I bought two when they were in bloom and… | The Orchid Oasis | Comunità di Planta

Penny L

How often do orchids bloom? I bought two when they were in bloom and pruned back the stems after they wilted. I’ve read multiple sources that say if you do this, they’ll bloom six weeks later again. So far, no joy. Is this a fairy tale? 🤔

2 Mi piace 8 commenti

8 commenti

  1. Jen

    Yes. I’m sure that 6 weeks has happened at some point to someone with some hybrid- but in my experience, that would be fairy tale-ish. Phalaenopsis, which is probably the type you have tend to be YEARLY bloomers. Now, as temps drop, they just begin to grow a flower spike, which can take months to grow, develop and mature enough to bloom. As new orchids to your home, they are probably adjusting and acclimating to their new environment and may not bloom at all this year. That’s not a bad thing- it gives them time to grow vegetatively- new leaves and roots that support the plant and will provide for a beautiful blooming in future seasons. (As long as you are providing appropriate light, water, and fertilizer, of course.) Did you repot it when you cut the flower spikes?

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    • Penny L

      Thanks! I actually repotted them immediately after getting them because their roots weren’t getting any light. I have them on a good schedule, I think. They’re growing new leaves and roots, and they look pretty happy. I’ll just be patient!

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  2. MeasomerPi

    In Phalanopsis, there is a way to encourage a second bloom cycle from an existing spike. It’s generally easy to do, but the blooms will be less numerous in the following year. Like Jen, I like to let mine rest up.

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    • Penny L

      That’s interesting! I’m curious: do you know how?

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    • Jen

      If you still had a green flower spike when the first blooms are drying and falling, you can cut the spike about a 1/2 inch above the last growth node before it started developing flowers. You may induce a secondary branch on that spike, or a second set of blooms from the tip. It’s about a 50/50 chance of it happening, but as stated above, I tend to cut it down to the base to save the strength and energy of the plant for vegetative growth and next year’s better blooms.

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    • Penny L

      Ah, see, that’s exactly what I did. I guess I’m just going to let them do them. 😎

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  3. GreenLeaf

    Agree with the above! I have 4, all are the same species, all have had drastically different blooming cycles even though they all receive the same care and same lighting situations. All were repotted with the same medium and are on identical water/fert schedules. 1 took 2 years 1 took 8-10 months 1 took 2 weeks after removing the spike 1 I’m still waiting on 1.5 years later. They’re all happy and healthy, they’ve just got their own timelines going on. As long as your plant is happy, be patient. It will give you a new bloom when its ready :)

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  4. Penny L

    Thank you! They’re definitely happy because they’re growing new leaves and roots. So it’s probably just a matter of time. Fingers crossed!

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