Phalaenopsis Orchid Care

How to Get Phalaenopsis Orchids to Re-bloom

36 Comments

How to Get Phalaenopsis Orchids to RebloomMany Phalaenopsis orchid growers express their desire of learning how to get Phalaenopsis orchids to rebloom.  They are the most recognized plant among the orchid family and are considered the easiest orchid to care for because of their low maintenance nature. The delicate balance of poise and elegance of this plant has earned it its popularity among orchid growers.

It is commonly called the moth orchid and will re-bloom twice a year under ideal conditions. It is important for you to create the best conditions for your orchid that will promote re-blooming. Ideal conditions include feeding during the growth period, proper lighting, and the right moisture and humidity conditions. Here are some re-blooming tips for you.

After the Flower Falls

To promote re-blooming, cut the spike of your flower down the stem (halfway down) after the last flower falls. Use a blade that is clean and sharp. Seal the cut using wax from a melted candle or use cinnamon powder. This will prevent a bacterial infection from occurring. A re-bloom should flourish in perfection for up to 3 -4 months.

Two months will be required for resting with the plant receiving varying temperatures during the day and at nights. See the point on temperature for the ideal condition further down. The plant will more than likely re-bloom once you care for it continuously and properly following the regular care guidelines.

Lighting

You may already know that these plants strive well indoors under normal growing conditions, but it does not hurt to re-emphasize the point. Indirect sunlight is best as the leaves will burn easily if they are overexposed to the sun. Keep the plants free from cold or warm drafts. A healthy orchid that does not bloom is usually affected by poor lighting.

Temperature

Your Phalaenopsis will need just a slight change in temperature to stimulate blooming. The plants enjoy just about the same temperature as humans do. At nights, the required temperature is 62°F, while during the day the average temperature should be approximately 72°F.

It is ok for you to deviate from these temperatures occasionally as this will not hurt your plant, but be careful once it starts budding because chilly temperatures can cause your Phalaenopsis to stop budding. The cooler conditions of the night temperature works well for the plant during the spike elongation phase.

Watering the Plant

Plants should be kept moist, but avoid overwatering. Phalaenopsis orchids like to be kept well-drained and watered. Water should be at room temperature and applied once a week. Do not allow the plant to dry out between waterings. Keep the moisture level just a little under the medium’s surface.

Humidity

Try to maintain the perfect humidity conditions. It tends to get a bit dry during the winter, but during this time and when necessary, one technique you may find useful for maintaining moisture is placing your Phalaenopsis over a tray of tap water, using small stones or pebbles to keep the pot and the tray separate. By doing this, you will prevent the plant from sitting in the water. You can also maintain the right humidity conditions by applying a light mist with a spray bottle.

Feeding the Plant

Fertilizing your plant is just as important as watering. Feed your plant during the growth period. Ideally, this should be once per month with some high-nitrogen fertilizer throughout the year. There are flower fertilizers which are specially formulated for orchids. It is best that you use these fertilizers (5-5-5), or alternatively use a general 20-20-20 fertilizer if the flower fertilizer is unavailable.

Mixing proportions should be 1 teaspoon to a gallon of water, but for the 20-20-20 fertilizer where some instructions may state that you use a teaspoon of powder to a liter of water, it is suggested that you cut the concentration to 25%. Therefore, where it says use 1 teaspoon per liter of water, use a quarter teaspoon instead. Do your best not to over feed the plant and avoid feeding once in bloom. Use the rule of less is more.

Repotting

The pot of choice is the semi-transparent pots as these allow the plant’s roots to get light and stimulate growth. Repot your plant every year and use medium grade wood bark, placing the bottom leaf on the medium’s surface. The same pot can be reused as the plant grows upward and does not spread. Water sparingly until the roots are established.

Sometimes getting a re-bloom can be tricky, so don’t get discouraged. Keep with it and follow these guidelines.

Tell us about your reblooming Phalaenopsis orchids by leaving a comment below!

Discover why Phalaenopsis orchids are everyone’s favorite – moth orchids!

Your Comments

36 Comments so far

  1. Jean says:

    Hi Ms Mary Ann, I want to thank you for your generous sending me info for my growing orchids. I love my orchids n I will obey ur tips to me. More power to you n God Bless!

  2. Wendy says:

    Hi Mary Ann, I have my Phal’s in spag moss in both clear and clay pots, most have new flower spikes, I am looking forward to all the blooms. Do I really need to repot each year as some roots are out the bottom of the pots and I don’t want to damage them?

    • Mary Ann says:

      Hi Wendy, You can wait a little longer before repotting, but it sounds like your plant might be outgrowing the pot it is in. If that is the case, then you should repot. You should also keep an eye on the medium. If that is decomposing, it’s time to repot as well. Here’s an article to help you repot if you feel it is in fact time. Repotting Orchids

  3. Chris says:

    Hi Mary Ann,
    At the Senior Center I take care of, someone dropped off a table decoration with many orchid stalks with flowers on them. I was wondering if one could root the stalks in water to produce roots. Is this possible? Thank you so much for all your valuable information……….it is MUCH appreciated!!

  4. Cheryl says:

    Is it okay to grow orchids outdoors? We live close to the beach so I think they are getting a lot of moisture but I have very little space indoors and am forced to put them outdoors. So far they all are doing well except for a couple of mistakes I’ve made but I’m learning.

    Thank you.
    Cheryl

    • Mary Ann says:

      Most orchids actually prefer shaded light and grow best outside (under a shaded tree for example). It sounds like you live in a humid enough environment. 🙂 The bottom line is if they are doing well, then you are doing a good job. Thanks so much! – Mary Ann

  5. Connie says:

    Hi Mary Ann, I bought an Orchid from a garden center here. It was on it’s way out. I guess you could say I rescued it. It was in a glass container when I bought it & still is. I was just wondering if the watering should be more sparingly since I dont want it to sit in water. The container has no drainage holes. I beleive it is a moth orchid. any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

  6. Kay says:

    I have an orchid that was gorgeous when I received it as a gift over a year ago. When the last bloom died, I looked online for instruction on what to do next and was apparently mis-led to trim the flower stem all the way to it’s base near the leaves. Sadly, it has not rebloomed. It is also in an office with fluorescent lighting only. Is there anything I can do to get my plant to rebloom at this point or will it remain a nice ‘green’ plant for the remainder of its life? It appears very healthy otherwise. I would love to be able to bring this little girl back to flowering perfection. Thank you in advance for any guidance!

    • Mary Ann says:

      If it’s doing well, it should grow a new stem and flower from that one. 🙂 It takes time though, so keep doing what you’re doing if the plant looks healthy otherwise and be patient. It is rewarding when you finally see the fruits of your labor! – Mary Ann

  7. Carolyn Benson says:

    I have 4 interesting orchids. When a flower falls off a new stem grows in it place with 4 or 5 flowers on it. All my orchids grow very large flowers.Some are 4 to 4 and a half across. I would like to know if any one elses orchids does this.

    • Mary Ann says:

      That sounds fantastic! 🙂 Well done. Let’s open this up for replies – anyone else out there having these results? – Mary Ann

    • mary-anne says:

      I received a Phal for Valentines day, full of flowers. it is now November and the plant has 20 flowers still! as the branches produced new buds, they just didn’t stop producing newer buds. I am truly blessed to have had 1 plant blooming for at least +- 12 months!! And I’m a novice, no previous experience. Can anyone beat this? PS I don’t even live in a humid town, in South Africa. Dry and hot

      • Mary Ann says:

        That’s great! 🙂 Thank you for telling us about your success. Any tips that you can share for people that don’t live in a humid area? – Mary Ann

  8. Mark says:

    My phal dropped its flowers and I neglected it and the leaves turned dark green and wilted. I put it on a window sill practically touching the window. I was going to throw it away. It was winter, and very cold outside. The interior window temp was probably about 55-65 degrees. I did not water it for two months and wah la, I noticed a new sprout with flower buds about a week ago. I moved it to a warmer spot and put in ice cubes. Waiting for the new blooms.

    • Mary Ann says:

      Hi Mark.. That’s not what I would have told someone to do, but it worked for you. 🙂 That’s great. I hope that you are able to enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for sharing! – Mary Ann

  9. Barbara says:

    I have a lavender phal that bloomed and I left the stalk and it put out more buds and is blooming again.. before when i had blooms I had cut the stalk off after it bloomed. which should I do?

    • Mary Ann says:

      If you are cutting it, then it should only be after the last flower falls. If it isn’t finished with it’s blooming cycle, then you should not cut it. We actually have a Phalaenopsis Pocket Guide that might help you. Thanks! – Mary Ann

  10. Barb says:

    I take care of a pond inside a bank and have had phalaenopis orchids growing since last November. The last of the flowers dropped last month. Do I need to repot them? or what are the next steps that should be taken. They are in clear plastic pots set into the soil with drainage in the pot bottoms.
    Thank you

  11. harry says:

    my phalaenopsis lost its last bloom and I am seeing new buds on the stalk. is it necessary to cut the stem in half for it to rebloom?

    • Mary Ann says:

      If buds are still growing, then let it be. I find if something is working, don’t mess with it. 🙂 Don’t be upset if these buds don’t bloom, however. It could be a bud blast. Just wait and see. If these buds don’t bloom, but die, then it’s time to proceed with after bloom care. – Mary Ann

  12. Elizabeth says:

    My phalaenopsis orchid has it looks like
    new roots coming between the leaves. I was wondering if they are new stems starting?

  13. Shawn says:

    I am so excited! After reading your instructions and following them, as well as being patient, my orchid is blooming and today one of the buds is opening. I did feed it ever-so-slightly twice and once every week watered it by soaking in cool water for 5 minutes then draining. It is in a southern window when it receives maximum diffused light throughout the day in a 72 degree home. Next will be the repotting – perhaps in Spring? Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

  14. sonny says:

    after flowering the stem on my plant died back about half its hight and is groing leafs thay are about 3″ long can you start new plants from this. thanks sonny

    • Mary Ann says:

      Thanks for your comment. I’m sorry but I don’t completely understand your question. Could you please give me more information about the plant and exactly what’s going on? – Mary Ann

  15. Veronica says:

    I have several phalaenopsis orchids. I bought them with beautiful flowers. After all the flowers are gone, some of them has still the stem and did rebloom after few months. Some of them the stems died so i cut it but until now i don’t see stems coming out but more leaves are the ones coming out. What’s your recommendation? should I repot them?

    • Mary Ann says:

      If the blooms are all finished, repotting now would be a good idea. If your plant is still blooming, wait until that’s finished. – Mary Ann

  16. juan says:

    Hello I live in south Florida, is very hot here almost all year,,please can you tell me how deviate from these temperatures occasionally in order of my phalaenosy to rebloom more often?,,do i need to put ice on top of the bark ? thanks in advace for your help

    juan

  17. Ric Dexter says:

    I re bloomed a white phalaenopsis that I bought in a grocery store. After the new stem started, when I put it back by the window after watering, I unintentionally turned it a few degrees. Noticing how it turned towards the light I continued until it was a full circle. There are 5 blooming and 2 getting ready. The blooms range from 4 to 5 inches across.

    • Ric Dexter says:

      Forgot to mention a couple of things – These tips were a great help, thank you. I’m in Dallas Texas and I rebloomed in a north facing window.


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