Get your orchid blooming every year

Orchids can be temperamental. These days the plants we purchase are standardly not meant to bloom again, like a one use and then discard situation. This is so sad! Let’s put a stop to this and ensure delightful blooms every year.

Firstly and most importantly, find the perfect place. Orchids like indirect light. Place them in a well lit room or perhaps near a window. Ensure they are not getting hit with direct sun.

Create a watering/ feeding schedule. In Summer & Autumn i place two ice cubes in the pot (near the roots) every week and dunk their roots in water for a few hours every second week. My orchids bloom in winter through to Spring. To help them stay healthy and blooming during these months, i give them two ice blocks of orchid food solution every week. Should their roots/soil look try i also dunk them when required.

From time to time, dust and soot will accumulate on the leaves. Ensure to clean your plant, by wiping the leaves with a damp paper towel. Do not leave any water droplets on your plant when finished.

Remove dead leaves carefully. Do not remove leaves that still have some life (some green/yellow still showing), this could harm the plant and delay the plant from blooming. Dead leaves are typically completely brown and lifeless.

When blooming fasten your stalks for support. Re-use the sticks/platforms from your initial bloom or create your own solution. Tie your stalk with the initial clips or wire ties (not too tight). This will ensure your heavy blooms will not cause the stalk to collapse. This also has an added benefit of being aesthetically very pleasing.

After your plant has bloomed, remove the dead flower stalks. Only remove these once they are brown and dry. Should there still be some green, wait until completely lifeless. You will see Orchid stalks have notches. Cut the dead stalks a few millimeters after the second notch.

There you have it! I encourage you to also do some additional research to ensure the best care for your particular plant. Applying all these steps will ensure amazing blooms to enjoy year after year. Here are a few snaps on my orchids last year: