How do I keep my orchid blooming?

Deb Whitehead
by Deb Whitehead
  4 answers
  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on Jul 10, 2019

    Orchids cycle, however placing an ice cube or two in the bark mulch helps keep them watered without over watering. Cut off the blossom stalk once blooms fade.

  • Betty Albright-Bistrow Betty Albright-Bistrow on Jul 11, 2019

    Hi Deb!

    See below for instructions. Good luck to you.


    https://www.simplemost.com/6-easy-ways-keep-orchids-alive/

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jul 14, 2019

    Orchid flowers last a long time, but there is no way to keep them blooming for a longer period. They flower once or twice a year and need the rest time to build up nutrients for the next cycle. Because the roots are so close to the surface, or even above the surface, ice cubes could be damaging to the roots. It may be easier to give them ice cubes for moisture, but would be no different than you or I being outside in tropical heat and humidity (they dwell in the canopy of the rain forests) and then having to leap into an ice bath, very shocking. Orchids like to be root bound, so need repotting every two years or so, or unless the medium is breaking down. If they are not getting nourishment from the orchid bark medium they will not flower. I had one that was close to two years we had had it and it didn't flower when our others did. I noticed the bark was breaking down and was in smaller pieces, so I purchased new orchid bark medium, repotted it and within two week a new flower stalk was already almost a foot high and showing signs of buds. Use a good brand orchid fertilizer (I use a spray) as the packing suggested in their instructions and that will help them stay healthy, too. When it is dry air in the house, misting it every couple of days will help them out and make sure to soak them every week to den days in tepid water to keep the bark medium moist (they live off the humidity that comes from the water that the bark soaks up. Lastly, they like south windows, but not direct sunlight. You can put them outside as long as they are shaded, but they like staying warm, so don't let them stay out when the temps dip. Taking them outside also risks getting bugs you don't necessarily want to deal with. I hope this helps you, Deb!