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How Do You Get an Orchid to Rebloom?

September 19, 2024

Your orchid has dropped its blooms, and although you have worked hard to keep your plant healthy and strong, you worry that those beautiful blooms will never come back. We have some good news: Your orchid may start blooming again soon. 

For this post, we are doing a roundup of the most asked questions about the blooming cycle, including how to ensure those blooms return: 

Is My Orchid Dead? 

If your orchid stops producing flowers, it is probably not dead. Most likely, it has entered the vegetative stage, which will last from six to nine months. 

Here is the good news: Fall is the best time for your orchid to rebloom naturally. The cooler temperatures can trigger the regrowth process, and with a little TLC, you can ensure your orchid is ready to rebloom. 

What Should I Do When My Orchid Enters the Vegetative Cycle? 

During the vegetative stage, your plant will need rest to gain the energy it needs to rebloom. Here are a few things you can do to help it along: 

  • Feed your plant. Two weeks after the last bloom drops, begin fertilizing it every other week with a balanced houseplant fertilizer, such as a 20-20-20, mixed at a quarter strength. That two-week wait period is important to avoid burning your plant's roots! While the above fertilizer is easiest for beginners, there are orchid-specific fertilizers on the market as well.
  • Keep it hydrated, but not too much. Water your orchid as usual except for the weeks that you fertilize.
  • Trim your orchid's spikes. This is one of the best and easiest ways to encourage regrowth. Here's how.
  • Avoid placing it near vents. While we love the heat on those chilly fall evenings, the dry air can dehydrate and damage our plants.

Will Moving My Orchid Help It Rebloom? 

It depends. If your plant does not have buds, you can move your orchid to a cooler environment, like the front porch.  

If you are leaving your orchid inside your home, be sure to find a place that is not drafty and where the nighttime temperatures are between 55 and 65 degrees. 

Once reblooming begins, you can return your plant to its usual location and continue watering it with ice once a week. When a new flower spike emerges, avoid moving it to a new location as the changes in light can have a negative impact.  

Pro Tip: Be sure you get the lighting right! Inadequate light is the number one reason orchids refuse to bloom or rebloom. Indirect sunlight is best for orchids. 

Watching your orchid bloom (or rebloom) is an exciting time that fills plant parents with pride. It is kind of like watching your child learn to walk.  

Feeling impatient? You are not alone. Some of our customers order new orchids to brighten their living space while they wait for the current one to bloom!