Orchids - getting them to flower again
ViverslaFrance
Posts: 3
in Talkback
I have 3 orchids which flowered 18 months to 2 years ago. They've produced new leaves and roots, but as yet no new flower stems. I know I cut the stems on the first plant I bought back too far, which may have caused a problem with this one. I water the orchids every 10 days or so with rain water and a pinch of orchid food.
What do I need to do to get them to flower again?!
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Hi VlFrance
What you're doing is fine, it's just a matter of waiting, they'll send up a new flower shoot when they're good and ready. All of a sudden you'll see what looks like a root popping up!
Perhaps they need a slightly larger pot after 2 years, too. Make sure you buy good quality orchid compost and don't feed until a flower stem appears.
Give them time, if you have new leaves and roots it's healthy and thriving. Usually mine only work at growing one thing at a time. Also, they would naturally have a bit of a rest between flowers. Sometimes switching windows along the same side of the house, or even it's place on the windowsill, will be enough to encourage blossoms.
See the thread started by Jaxter as you're on the same topic.
And growing orchids started by gerryk.
My orchid is about three years old and developing new flowers third time. I think it likes where it is - sunny windowsill close to a radiator.
Ours seem to thrive on neglect. After they've finished flowering we cut the flower stem back to a couple of nodes above the base and we stand them outside during the summer months. We put them in large trays on gravel & filled with water, out of direct sunlight, and spray from a hose about once a week. We've had strong new flower stems on nearly all of them.
depends on what type of orchid you've got, but above a radiator and in sunshine doesn't seem like a good place to me, they like mild (if not cool nights) high humidity and diffused sunlight (as direct sunlight can burn their leaves)
We have two orchids, one three years old which kicked around on the bench in my greenhouse, a year ago it started sprouting new leaves and then a flower stalk it's just about finished. The second one I bought on Valentines Day in flower, when the flowers died it sent up a second flower stalk and it too is just finishing, a Christmas cactus lives on the same shelf in the concervatory and when that goes slightly dull I know it's time to water them. I use a dilute comfrey mix for them all.
Thanks to everyone for your replies - I guess I just need to be patient
I may try standing them outside in the summer but I live in Cumbria so this may not be wise - though we have had two good summers!
I keep my 10 or so orchids in similar conditions and they seem to flower as and when they feel like it. Most are great and send up flower spike after flower spike continuously but I have one that has only flowered twice in the 6 or so years I've had it. Stubborn! Have just repotted it to see if that makes a difference.