Orchid care – how to make your plant rebloom
While some may consider orchids to be difficult plants to grow, this is not necessarily the case. If you want your plant to rebloom, it’s important that you provide for their basic needs. You will also need to take extra steps in terms of orchid care to help them produce more flowers.
Light needs
This can be tricky depending on where you live. An essential part of orchid care is ensuring that your plant receives indirect sunlight. East and west-facing windows make the ideal locations for orchid plants. If you don’t have any window space available, you can use fluorescent lighting. If you notice black tips on the leaves, your orchid is receiving too much sunlight.
Create the right environment
The best temperatures for orchids ranges from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. While they can survive night temperatures of 60 degrees and daytime highs of 85 degrees, it’s best to keep their environment as moderate as possible. Proper orchid care involves protecting your plant against the elements like wind and extreme temperature changes. You should also keep your plant away from fresh fruit. Certain types of fruit release a gas into the air that can cause your orchid to die.
Water needs
Just like any other plant, your orchid will need water. However, it’s important to note that the plant is not potted in regular soil. Instead, it is rooted in a special potting mix which allows for fast drainage. This is good news because wet soil can result in root rot. So, make sure that the potting soil is dry before watering. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering.
Reblooming tips
If you want to encourage your plant to produce flowers year after year, here are some essential orchid care steps to follow. When the plant enters its dormant phase, you should apply fertilizer. Depending on the type of orchid you have, this might be required weekly or monthly. Move the plant to a cooler area and keep it in indirect sunlight for as many hours as possible. When you see a new spike emerge, wait a few months And insert a pick to support the spike. It’ won’t be long before the plant produces flowers again!
By following these basic orchid care tips, you will enjoy fresh blooms year after year. Your plant will need to be repotted from time to time. Make sure that you do so during the dormant phase before you start applying fertilizer.