How to make an orchid bloom every year

Making an orchid bloom year after year is the goal of lovers of these plants. Something logical if we take into account that the ornamental value of these beautiful indoor plants lies in their flowering. A task that, despite popular belief, can be carried out without problems continuously and without too much complication. Achieving it happens, as in everything that refers to caring for plants, by thoroughly knowing their needs.

Curiously, everything that surrounds the care of orchids is tinged with a certain mystery for those who do not know them. It is not only believed that its cultivation is extremely complicated. It is also more than usual to think that they require extensive knowledge in gardening or, returning to the topic that concerns us, that they bloom once and never do it again. Nothing is further from reality: there are species of orchids that can bloom up to three times a year. The secret? There really isn’t! It is enough to ensure that our plant has the conditions it needs and, above all, is strong to face the loss of nutrients that flowering entails.

With all this understood, it is time to know how to make an orchid bloom every year. A way to enjoy each of those flower buds that, once they open, can accompany us even for months.

TIPS TO MAKE AN ORCHID FLOWER YEAR AFTER YEAR

It should be remembered that the vast majority of orchids that we enjoy come from tropical climates. Origins that inherently mark the needs of these plants but also the ideal conditions for them to flourish. Beware of generalizing: under the umbrella of «tropical» there are many different climates in terms of light, humidity and even temperature. A compelling reason why it is convenient to know, among the different types of orchids, which one is ours and what is in demand. Don’t you know what it is? Get rid of doubts with this video tutorial, in which we see the 10 most common types.

Apart from knowing how to identify the needs of our plant, there are a couple of other crucial details before knowing how to make an orchid bloom on a regular basis. The first of them: the time of year. Taking into account the natural conditions in which they flourish, it is more than likely that our plants only do so in the spring and summer months. For this reason, and unless we have managed to recreate the ideal atmosphere for them at home, it is more than likely that the flower stem will not begin to form until the winter break is over.

As decisive for flowering as the seasons is the age of our plant. A fundamental detail if we seek to reproduce orchids by keikis. In general, these plants need to reach a certain maturity and stability to flower for the first time. How much time are we talking about? Between two and three years from the moment we plant it.

With these details understood, it is time to see what we must consider to make an orchid bloom every year.

1. Check the health of our plant, essential to make an orchid flourish

Key code! And it is enough to understand that any flowering is, for a plant, a waste of nutrients and energy. Only when a plant is healthy can it “waste” all those resources on creating flowers. And, on many occasions, an orchid that does not bloom cannot do so precisely because of this.

And let’s understand what it means to take care of the health of our plant, because it does not refer only to knowing its perfect pattern to avoid the danger of excess watering in orchids. The well-being of these plants depends, fundamentally, on the health of their roots. Some that demand a quality substrate that helps drain excess watering but also requires a review of its condition from time to time. If we detect that there are diseased or rotten roots, it will be essential to remove them. An orchid with weak roots will not be able to bloom.

2. Make sure you get the light you need

One of the fundamental aspects to make an orchid bloom! The amount of light and the way it affects are vital for our plant to flourish. What’s more: an orchid may not do so because it has less light than it needs, but also because it is exposed to direct sunlight and cannot tolerate it.

And, if even knowing its demand for light our orchid does not bloom, it is time to change its location. If more than two years have passed since its last flowering, it is more than likely that our plant is telling us in its own way that it does not have what it needs. A change of location, no matter how small, may be the answer.

3. Feed her regularly and at the right time

We are clear that, to help in its flowering, it is essential to correctly choose the fertilizer for orchids. What is not usually known is that this task that seeks to renew its nutrients is not the same at all times of the year. Or, put another way, depending on the time of year our plant will need one component or another in the fertilizer. One reason why it is important to thoroughly understand how and when to strengthen orchids.

Beyond taking care of its health, if what we are looking for is to make an orchid bloom, we will have to use a fertilizer to stimulate flowering. And not only from the beginning of spring: to extend the life of our flowers, it is interesting to maintain the fertilizer pattern until flowering ends.

4. Control and create temperature fluctuations, a detail that we usually ignore

With our idea of ​​what a tropical climate is, it is more than likely that it will always be in a similar temperature range. And, even if we think it is the best thing for her, it is more than likely an inconvenience to make an orchid bloom on a regular basis.

Most of these plants need temperature fluctuations, sometimes minimal and other more marked, to be able to create their flower buds. A need that occurs, fundamentally, with regard to the night hours.

5. Give it a good environmental humidity

One last detail to make an orchid bloom each year, but no less important than the previous ones. And it is that, in the same way that it is a key detail for the well-being of these plants, it becomes essential to achieve its flowering. Only a plant with an optimal degree of environmental hydration will be healthy enough to flourish.

To achieve this, it is not only important to take care of this aspect whether our orchid is at rest or in a growth period. In addition to using a humidifier or creating a humid atmosphere around it, it is advisable to use a moisturizing foliar fertilizer. A way to nourish the leaves but also to stimulate flowering.

As you can see, making an orchid bloom year after year is not as complicated as it seems. Actually, it only involves recreating the nature in which it lives and, yes, a large dose of patience.