According to a famous myth, orchids will shed their petals and leave behind bare stems when they have “passed on.” However, this myth is just that, a myth.
There’s no scientific evidence that orchids will die outright, but it does not mean that the flowers will never fall off the stem. As long as your orchid is healthy, you can expect dead leaves to grow out of the top of it over time.
Being a tropical plant, the orchid’s natural dry season is spring and fall. You will often see dead or deteriorating leaves at the top of the stem during this time.
It’s nice to have green, colorful plants growing inside your home and out. Contact JC’s Landscaping today to have us come out and beautify your Frisco, Texas landscape by planting trees and bushes.
How long do orchids bloom?
The natural life cycle of an orchid begins with the formation of new roots and leaves in the spring. As these parts grow, older leaves and roots fall off to make room for the new growth.
- The average life of an orchid bloom is 3-4 months, but some can last up to 6 months if cared for properly.
- It’s important to note that the life cycle of orchids varies depending on the type of orchid you are growing and how you care for them.
- Orchid blooms are seasonal. They come in waves, with the time between each wave directly linked to weather conditions.
- Orchid blooms are not continuous. They can be affected by temperature, humidity, and light. The timing of your orchids’ flowering cycle will vary depending on how warm or cool it is outside, how much sunlight you provide them with, whether or not they’re fertilized (and if so, what kind of fertilizer you are using.
- If you’re an orchid enthusiast, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the different types of orchids and how they bloom. It will help you learn when to expect your blooms so you can plan and enjoy them to the fullest!
Reasons Why Flowers Fall Off Orchids
If your orchid isn’t blooming, it can be frustrating. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many orchids fail to bloom for a variety of reasons. In this article, we’ll cover the top 5 reasons orchids don’t bloom and what you can do to fix the problem.
- Lack of sunlight
- Lack of humidity
- Not enough water
- Too much fertilizer
- Temperature in home
Lack of Sunlight
If your orchid isn’t blooming, you first need to check to see if it’s getting enough sunlight. Orchids need at least six hours of daylight each day to bloom.
If it’s not getting enough light, you can try moving it to the place where it will get more sunlight. And if that’s not an option, you can add-on it with artificial light. Just be sure not to place the orchid too close to the lamp, as this can cause the plant to overheat.
Lack of Humidity
One of the most common reasons orchids fail to bloom is the lack of humidity. When humidity levels are too low, the flowers will not open.
You can do a few things to increase the humidity levels in your home and help your orchid bloom. One is to place your orchid near a humidifier.
You can also spray your plant twice a day with warm water.
You can also set your orchid pot on a tray of wet pebbles. It will create a moist environment that will help your orchid flower to bloom.
Another option is to keep your orchid in your bathroom, near a window. The shower will produce humidity and the window should allow enough sunlight in.
Not Enough Water
You might be wondering why your orchid isn’t blooming. It might be due to a deficiency of water. Yes, orchids need a good amount of water to bloom, but you don’t want to overwater them.
The key is to find the right balance. How can you know if your orchid needs more water? One way is to poke your finger into the potting soil. If it feels dry, then it’s time to give your orchid a drink.
Another way to check if your orchid needs water is to look at the leaves. If they’re wilting, that’s a signal that your orchid needs more water. So make sure you’re watering your orchid regularly and give it enough light, and it should start blooming in no time.
Too Much Fertilizer
You might be surprised to learn that one of the top reasons orchids don’t bloom is because they’re being fed too much fertilizer. Yes, you read that right!
When fertilizing your orchid, it’s important to be consistent and follow the directions on the label. Over-fertilizing can cause the plant to become weak and not produce any blooms.
So how can you get to know if you’re fertilizing your orchid too much? If the leaves are a dark green and the plant grows rapidly, you’re probably feeding it too much. And if the roots are brown or black, that is a sign that you need to back off on the fertilizer.
Proper fertilization is important for plants inside your home and for your lawn. Check out our lawn fertilization page for more information.
Temperature
If your orchid isn’t blooming, it could be because the temperature in your home is too low. Most orchids need temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to bloom. So make sure you are keeping your home at a comfortable temperature for your orchid.
If you’re interested in learning about some other indoor plants, check out this article titled, “Indoor Plants That Are Easy to Care For.”
Wrapping Up
The most common cause of orchid failure is improper care. If your orchid is not getting enough light, it will likely fail to bloom.
If you don’t water your plant properly, it may die from dehydration and die off before its flowers are even produced.
You can avoid these problems by paying attention to the amount of sunlight, humidity, water, and fertilizer your orchid receives.
