Orchid no longer blooms! Get it to bloom with these 6 tips

No flowers

Why is my orchid not blooming (anymore)?

Orchids are now on the window sills in numerous apartments. They often don't cost more than a bouquet, but stay fresh longer. The blossoms last for many weeks. At some point, however, the last flower wilts. Then what is to be done? Can you make an orchid bloom again? One can! You can find out how to do this here. The tips are especially suitable for that Phalaenopsis, partly also for other orchids.

humidity

Orchids like it warm and humid

In the rainforest, the natural home of the orchid, there is high humidity and also high temperatures. So it's pretty humid. But that is what the orchid needs to develop its magnificent flowers. Certainly this is not a pleasant living environment for people. But if your orchid isn't blooming, then something about that should be done. Spray the plant every now and then with lukewarm water with little lime content or place a humidifier near it. This is especially important if your phalaenopsis or butterfly orchid is near a heating source, for example directly above the heater.

Lighting conditions

Orchids need a lot of light, but they cannot tolerate the midday sun

Just as the warm, humid air is normal in the rainforest, the orchid does not get direct sun there. It grows under the canopy and therefore more or less shady. If it is now standing in the south-facing window in the midday sun in your apartment, then it does not feel well and will not bloom either. Incidentally, the same also applies to a window on the north side with little light.

Place your plant in an east or west window and it will recover quickly and, with the right care, it will bloom soon. Alternatively, you can give your orchid a little shade through a light curtain at lunchtime. It also thrives and blooms on a south-facing window.

temperature

Orchids don't like fluctuating temperatures

The temperatures in the rainforest are fairly constant, and your orchid would like to have them in your home too. It tolerates slight fluctuations of up to around 2 ° C between day and night temperatures. The Phalaenopsis reacts quite sensitively to larger fluctuations, as well as to drafts. If you would like to move an orchid into another room, the temperatures there should at least temporarily be similar to those in its old location.

The ideal location for a lush bloom:

• bright
• no direct midday sun
• not too dark
• East or west window
• no drafts
• no strongly fluctuating temperatures

to water

Orchids need water, but not wet feet

The Phalaenopsis is thirsty, but if its feet are permanently wet, it quickly loses its flowers or does not develop any buds at all. Hence, it is important to water them properly. Give the orchid plenty of water and make sure that too much water can drain straight away. The right time to water has come when the substrate becomes slightly dry. However, the substrate should never dry out completely.

Diving is very effective. Place the pot with the orchid in water at room temperature for a few minutes. The water can reach the top of the pot, but be careful that no substrate is washed out. Then let the excess water run off before you put the plant back in its pot. You may check again after a few minutes and empty the planter if water has accumulated there again.

nutrient

Orchids don't need soil, but they need nutrients

In their homeland, orchids grow on the trees of the rainforest, not on the ground. However, they are not parasites that feed on their host, but so-called sit-up plants. They take in the necessary nutrients from the water and the air. Since the environmental conditions in your living room are different to those in the rainforest, you should provide your Phalaenopsis with a high-quality orchid fertilizer once or twice a month. It contains all the substances this plant needs for lush growth and beautiful flowering.

Rest

Some orchids need a rest period before they bloom

An orchid without flowers actually looks pretty boring, but it is a perfectly normal sight. No flower can always only bloom, it must also be allowed to rest once. This resting phase does not look the same for every orchid. While some, such as the popular Phalaenopsis, simply take a break, with the usual care and the usual Location, other orchids need a special rest period in which they are only slightly watered at lower temperatures and not fertilized at all will.

Proper care for abundant flowering:

• plant in special orchid substrate
• pour or dip regularly
• Avoid waterlogging
• Allow excess water to drain well
• use special orchid fertilizer