An orchid finds its way into your home in full bloom. Sooner or later the exotic plant will be left without flowers, because no flowering period lasts forever. The sophisticated flower diva doesn't put her floral dress back on so easily. Read here how to make an orchid bloom again.
What can I do if my orchid doesn't bloom?
To make an orchid bloom again, provide sufficient light, comfortable temperatures and high humidity. Avoid constantly wet substrate and move the plant if necessary or expose it to a slight cold shock.
If there is a lack of light, the flowers will not bloom
The most popular orchid species love bright to sunny lighting conditions. Where the sun's rays do not reach the leaves and roots, the sensitive flowers sense unfavorable conditions and keep the flowers under wraps as a precaution. If you have an orchid without flowers, please move it to this location:
- A light-flooded window sill on the south, west or east side of the house
- With shade at midday between April and October
Robust Phalaenopsis and their hybrids have nothing against a repeated change of location in order to enjoy the sun on the south window in winter and to be protected from the direct sun on the east window in summer.
Cold and dry air spoil the desire for a flower
The noble orchids mostly come from the warm, humid rainforest climate of the tropics. At temperatures well below 15 degrees Celsius, the heat-loving flowers shiver so much that they lose the desire to delight us with a bloom. The same applies to cultivation in dry indoor air. You will only get an orchid to bloom if it is given a place with pleasant room temperatures and a humidity of more than 60 percent.
As an immediate measure, carry an orchid without flowers in a bright bathroom or spa room for a few weeks. Spray the grumpy plant repeatedly with soft, lukewarm water. In combination with pleasant room temperatures around 20-25 degrees Celsius, the flowering will not take long.
An orchid may not bloom with wet feet
Don't be surprised by an orchid without flowers if it has to be kept in a constantly wet substrate. In its homeland, the flower sits on the branches of mighty giant trees in order to use its aerial roots to catch the raindrops from short, heavy showers. You will only get this proud beauty to bloom if you repot the stressed diva immediately and cut out all the rotten roots.
From now on, you no longer water your orchid, but instead dip the root ball in lime-free, room temperature water once a week, less often in winter. Only when the root network has dried thoroughly again is the next water bath on the agenda.
Tip
If a Phalaenopsis persistently refuses to bloom again, you can get it to bloom with a slight cold shock. Three weeks after the end of the flowering period, the unwilling butterfly orchid moves to a bright room where temperatures at night do not exceed 16 degrees Celsius and do not fall below 13 degrees Celsius. If you continue the normal care here, you can look forward to renewed blooms within 6 weeks.
