Orchids can bloom continuously for several months, gradually developing new flower buds. However, when the last orchid flowers fall off, we often don't know what to do. Meanwhile,orchid care after floweringis very important if we want the plant to survive and bloom again. Seewhat to do when your orchid is fadingand how to encourage it to flower again!
What to do when the orchid is blooming?
Orchid care after fadingconsists of two stages as a rule.The first is to trim the shoot on which the plant has bloomed, and the second is to provide the orchid with a dormant period in which it will regenerate before its next flowering. The correcttreatment of a faded orchiddiffers somewhat depending on the type of orchid we are dealing with.
1. Pruning an orchid after blooming
Orchids that produce pseudobulbs or rhizomes(including Oncidium, Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Zygopetalum, Paphiopedilum)do not flower a second time from the same pseudobulbFlower stems in this group of orchids grow only from pseudobulbs one year old. Thereforeafter flowering, when all the flowers have fallen and the inflorescence shoot has dried, it should be removedOld pseudobulbs are no longer active, but they are a storehouse of water and food for new growths. For this reason, their removal is not necessary and even disadvantageous. After 2-4 years old pseudobulbs die and lose their attractive appearance.Then they should be gently separated from the plant and discarded.
For orchids that do not form pseudobulbs or rhizomes(e.g. Vanda, Doritis),after the flowers have faded and the stem has withered, trim the inflorescence shoot as close as possible to the uppermost leafas it is not continuing flowering. If a drying flower is left on the plant, it stops the development of young shoots. In addition, the plant, wishing to regenerate a dying organ, will gradually weaken.
The exception among orchids is Phalaenopsis. Representatives of this genus have the ability to re-flower on the same shoot.After the flowers of the Phalaenopsis orchid have faded and fallen, we can do two things :
- Simply remove the stripped flower stem of the Phalaenopsis orchid by pruning it as close to the top leaf as possible . Then limit watering and move the orchid to a cooler place to regenerate before the next flowering.
- We can also leave the shoot on the plant and observe it for the next several or several dozen daysIf it turns yellow and withers, then it should be removed. However, if it remains firm and green, we can trim it over the third eyelet (a thickening on the stem). Under favorable conditions, a young inflorescence or keiki shoot may develop at the cut site.
2. Rest period after orchid fading
After flowering, all orchids need time to regenerate, i.e. the dormant period. Under natural conditions, this period falls in autumn and winter. Blooming orchids are available for sale all year round, so at home we have to put them into an artificially dormant period, regardless of the season.After flowering, stop fertilizing the orchid, reduce watering and sprinkling(until the substrate is completely dry) and move the orchids to a cool (approx. 16-20 ° C) and bright room for 2 -4 months.
Orchids dormancy ends when the plants begin to sprout young shoots and roots.At this point, we increase the frequency of watering and move the orchids to a room with a higher temperature. It is also advisable to start fertilizing. For this purpose, we especially recommend the natural biohumus orchid fertilizer to which these demanding plants respond very well. Contrary to traditional mineral fertilizers, vermicompost does not pose a risk of over-fertilization, enriches the substrate with beneficial microorganisms and supports the development of mycorrhiza necessary for the life of orchids.
Some orchids, such as Phalaenopsis, do not show a marked dormant period, although a slowdown in growth can be observed during the winter. Although Phalaenopsis can repeat flowering almost immediately, it is worth putting it to sleep in the fall and winter to improve the condition of the plant. Thanks to thisthe subsequent flowering of the Phalaenopsis orchid will be more abundant
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
