How do you get an orchid to bloom again?

Question

I received one as a gift and it bloomed again the next year but has not bloomed again.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

https://www.thespruce.com/orchid-wont-bloom-1315978

Ray Bassett · Answer

it is difficult. orchids need the right environment...just the right light and humidity.

Nancy Turner · Answer

I have two orchids and am bringing my daughters back to health right now too. If you have the two container kind (and inner pot with bark and an outer decorative pot) I can help you. Once a week leave the pots together and fill with tepid water only and let it sit for about ten minutes. Take the pots apart and drain the water from the decorative pot and let the inner pot drain for a while, it should have a hole in the bottom. Put the two together and you are good for another week. Look into the liquid fertilizer for orchids and follow the directions on how to fertilize the plant and how often. Put the orchid in a south window that does not get direct sunlight, but is really light. Don't put it too close to the window if you have winters like ours, it is going to be below zero again tomorrow! Do not use the ice cube watering method. Orchids are from the canopy of the rain forests where they attach to the bark of trees and glean their moisture from the humidity in the air and what rain they catch from the trees. They totally dislike ice water flowing on their roots. Our orchids bloom two to three times a year and they get no special care. My daughter received one as a gift and it had soil in the inner pot and it never dried out and was soggy for two weeks despite not watering it. I took it out of its pot so it could get air and dry out. I have had it for a week and it is now drying out and the leaves aren't wilted anymore. I will be putting it back into its inner pot and putting orchid bark in it instead of the orchid soil. Orchids do not live in soil and are better off with the bark. I hope this helps. I had never had orchids before these two, and learned by investigating different sites on the internet on how to care for them. Good luck! Have a great new year!

Nancy Turner · Answer

Most places that have gardening supplies should have them, local green houses should also. I actually got mine at my local HyVee grocery store in the floral department rather than wasting gas to go anywhere else looking for it that was miles away and didn't pay more than I would have anywhere else. Good luck with your orchids! Have a great new year's eve and day! Hubby is already on his third football game! I'm bored to tears, but don't want to wake him up from his stupor in his recliner.

Alice · Answer

I got the bark at Loews Home store and just repotted and fertilized with Hyponex plant food for orchids - took a few months but enjoying 3 new flowers. good luck/