After Orchid Flowers Fall 2016

You've gotten an orchid plant and have enjoyed its long-lasting bloom, but now that the last orchid flower has faded, you're wondering what to do with the rest of the plant. Fortunately, they will bloom again. In the meantime here is what you can do after orchid flowers fall.

You Can Let It Be

Just make sure you fertilize monthly or as often as every other week with a houseplant fertilizer or balanced fertilizer (for example, 20-20-20) at half the recommended rate. During this time, the plant may produce new buds at the end of the old flower spike. Remember, if the orchid flower spike has turned yellow or brown, it should be removed.

You Can Cut the Bare Flower Spike

Cut it back to a "node," a triangular shaped area on the stem, which may encourage the orchid to generate new side flower spikes.

You Can Remove the Entire Flower Spike

This lets the plant put more energy back into the leaves and roots, helping it to grow stronger and produce a fresh new flower spike.

You might also want to promote orchid reblooming by moving it to an area where the nighttime temperature is cooler—ideally between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but with the same amount of indirect sunlight exposure as before.

You'll know an orchid flower spike has formed when what looks like a root starts to grow upward and the tip takes on the appearance of a mitten, as opposed to a root tip that is rounded. Once the orchid flower spike is identified, the orchid can be returned to its normal setting.

As the flower spike grows, support it with a stake along the way. To produce a beautiful display of orchid flowers try to avoid changing the plant's orientation to the light when it is producing its flowers. Otherwise, the flowers may be twisted on the stem and you may jeopardize a nice arching floral display.

Thanks to Phalaenopsis orchids easy care routine, you don’t have to do much once the last orchid flower has fallen. By selecting one of the options above and making sure to fertilize and water your plant, you’ll have new blooms to enjoy in no time.