Orchids of all kinds can practically only be found in full bloom, each more beautiful than the next. After a few weeks, or at best after a few months, the splendor is gone. The hope for the first buds begins.
Why isn't my lady's slipper orchid blooming?
A lady's slipper may not bloom due to a lack of budding, a lack of cold stimulus, too much sun, a lack of dormancy, a lack of nutrients or a substrate that is too dense. In order to promote flowering, species-appropriate care, suitable lighting conditions, air humidity and, if necessary, repotting into fresh substrate should be taken into account.
Why isn't my lady's slipper blooming?
Sometimes it takes a lot of patience until a faded lady's slipper forms buds again. But patience alone is not enough. Some species need a cold stimulus, others only bloom on fresh shoots. However, species-appropriate care is always important so that your lady's slipper can form new flowers. Lack of nutrients or compacted substrate can also lead to the hoped-for flowering failing.
Possible reasons for failure to bloom:
- lack of shoots
- lack of cold stimulus
- too much sun
- missing rest phase
- Nutrient Deficiency
- substrate too dense, resulting in lack of air at the roots
How can I make my lady's slipper bloom?
Before you hastily take any action, you should first determine which species your Paphiopedilum belongs to. Only then can you take a targeted approach, because the different species need different conditions in order to bloom successfully and lushly. However, orchids don't need a lot of sun; they usually prefer partial shade or shade.
While one type of lady's slipper prefers constant warmth, another only produces flowers after a cool break. Sometimes this is a phase lasting several weeks (winter rest), but cool nights are often enough. It's best to find out about your plant's needs when purchasing. You should at least know the exact (botanical) name, then you can research it on the internet.
Does repotting help bloom again?
If the substrate of your lady's slipper has become compacted, the roots can no longer breathe properly. This can also influence the ability to bloom. In this case, repotting can actually be helpful. To prevent this problem from occurring in the first place, you should place the plant in fresh substrate once a year and regularly supply it with high-quality orchid fertilizer (€7.00 on Amazon).
Tip
Give your lady's slipper a humidity of at least 50 to 70 percent, then it will develop new shoots and flowers more easily.
