After the Blossom: 6 Expert Advice for Nurturing Orchids

Post-Bloom Orchid Maintenance: Six Proven Strategies from Professionals

You purchased the orchid when it was adorned with blossoms, and you admired its beautiful flowers for numerous months. Now, the flowers have wilted off, leaving behind a dull bunch of leaves. You're contemplating whether to keep it or discard it, and if it's even alive. Will it bloom again? We sought advice from an orchid specialist.

Justin Kondrat serves as the head horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection in Suitland, Maryland. He oversees the nation's orchid garden.

According to Justin Kondrat, lead horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection, an orchid can indeed be coaxed into blooming once more if proper conditions are provided. Far from being deceased or ailing, the orchid simply requires time to regenerate.

Instead of discarding it, extend the life of your plant and encourage it to bloom again for years to come by following these tips for orchid care post-flowering. This guide primarily focuses on the care of moth orchids, a popular choice for beginners and widely available.

Orchid Care After Flowering

Orchids are long-lived plants that produce flowers every winter if they receive the appropriate attention. "After an orchid flowers, it's tired and requires rest and recovery to flower again," Kondrat explains. "Orchids follow a pattern, and you need to synchronize with your orchid's pattern."

If you understand what you're doing, you can encourage a moth orchid to bloom multiple times per year, Kondrat suggests. Here are Kondrat's top suggestions for helping your orchid flourish and continue blooming for you:

1. Repot the Orchid

Once your orchid has finished blooming, repot it. Kondrat advises repotting an orchid every two years. If your orchid came from the store in sphagnum moss, Kondrat recommends repotting it in an orchid-specific chunky potting mix as soon as it has finished blooming. "Extract it from that moss, as it retains water and can cause root rot," he says. A chunky potting medium promotes better drainage, preventing soggy conditions.

2. Prune the Plant

Remove any yellowing leaves using a pair of scissors or hand pruners. Keep the green leaves on the plant, as they produce energy for the plant's recharge. "Those leaves are the orchid's solar panels," Kondrat says.

Trim the flower spike in one of two ways:

Cut it off completely, and the plant will bloom again in a few months when a new spike emerges.
Cut the spike two or three nodes below the lowest flower, and the orchid may bloom again in as little as 8 to 12 weeks. "There's a 50% chance a new stalk will grow from the old one," Kondrat says. "You'll get flowers faster this way."

3. Fertilize the Orchid

Fertilize your orchid in either early spring or late winter. During this period, the plant is preparing for new growth and blooms, making it an ideal time to feed it. Kondrat suggests using an orchid-specific fertilizer, diluted to 25% of the strength indicated on the label.

Fertilize every two weeks during the plant's growing season, which typically spans from March to October. Over-fertilizing can damage the orchid by burning its root tips, so avoid this pitfall. Don't fertilize during the winter when the plant grows more slowly.

Enhance your orchid's growth by misting its leaves with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts to 1 gallon of water. "Magnesium and calcium work together to boost chlorophyll production, providing your plant with a nutritional boost," Kondrat says.

4. Water the Plant Consistently

Many people overwater orchids, resulting in waterlogging and root rot. Kondrat recommends watering an orchid every 7 to 10 days if it's planted in orchid mix. Orchids that are potted in moss require less frequent watering due to the moss's water-retaining properties.

Kondrat stresses that there are no exact guidelines for when to water an orchid. Factors like light and temperature influence how often the plant needs water. "Observe your plant to determine its exact watering requirements," he advises. Stick your finger into the orchid's moss or bark potting medium. If it feels dry, water it. Allow the orchid's potting medium to dry out between watering sessions.

5. Avoid Using Ice Cubes

Disregard the advice to use an ice cube to water an orchid, which is often marketed as a quirky method. While cute, it's an inaccurate and potentially damaging method for this tropical plant's roots. Use room-temperature water and soak the plant thoroughly by placing it under the faucet for about 10 seconds until water emerges from the base of the plant. "The water will diffuse through the orchid's root system, washing away any lingering fertilizer salts," Kondrat says.

Orchids prefer moderate yet indirect sunlight and temperatures ranging from 70°Celsius to 90°Celsius. Kondrat suggests positioning your orchid near an east-facing window, but south and west locations could also work. Remember, the orchid's needs should always be your priority.

You'd feel comfy seated by that window? Your orchid will feel equally at ease in the same setting. If the heat becomes unbearable for you, it's likely too much for your orchid, too. To see if the lighting is suitable, observe the plant's leaves.

If the leaves are a deep green, the orchid might not be getting enough light. Conversely, a red tint indicates that the plant is receiving too much sunlight. "The leaves should exhibit a yellow-green or olive-green hue," Kondrat suggests.

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Based on the information provided, here are two sentences containing the words: ['Houseplants', 'Gardening', 'BHG', 'Caring for Houseplants']:

Gardening enthusiasts looking for tips on caring for their houseplants can turn to resources like Better Homes and Gardens (BHG), which offer extensive guides on various plant species. Proper care, such as frequent watering, the right light exposure, and appropriate potting medium, can help houseplants like orchids thrive and bloom for years to come.