The most common type of orchid is the phalaenopsis orchid, which typically blooms for two to four months. Flowering time depends on the condition of the plant and how it is cared for. Orchids can rebloom 1 or 2 times a year and can live for many years, with some record orchids living over 100 years.
There are many other types of orchids and typical flowering times for the most popular are listed below.
- Cattleya orchids – 7-21 days
- Oncidium orchids – 4-6 weeks
- Paphiopedilum – 6-8 weeks
- Phalaenopsis – 8-16 weeks
- Dendrobium – 6-12 weeks
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Let your orchids bloom longer
When people ask me how long orchids bloom, I usually answer the above. However, there are a number of things you can do to ensure your orchids bloom for as long as possible. Follow this simple tip and you’ll get the most out of your orchids and enjoy blooms for as long as possible.
Be sure to choose a good orchid in the store.
When buying an orchid, it is very tempting to choose the orchid with the most spectacular flowers, but this often means that the end of the flowering phase is closer than the beginning.
Your orchid may only bloom for a few weeks before the flowers begin to die and fall off the plant.
It is best to choose an orchid with a strong, healthy flower stalk, with unopened buds and evidence that the flower stalk is still growing and producing new buds.
This will allow you to enjoy new flowers for weeks or even months.
Temperature control can help your orchids bloom longer
It is generally best to keep orchids somewhat cool, as this stimulates the flowering process, but also slows growth and prolongs the flowering period of the orchid.
When you purchase your orchid and transport it home, try to avoid stressing it by exposing it to extremely hot or cold conditions. It might be a good idea to put buying an orchid at the bottom of your shopping list so that you can transport it home quickly enough to get it in perfect condition.
At home, a temperature of 64°F to 77°F (18°C to 25°C) is usually sufficient for most common orchid varieties.
Avoiding sudden temperature changes in your home also promotes a longer flowering time by reducing stress on your plant.
Placement of orchids in your home
Consider temperature and lighting when placing orchids in your home.
Try to avoid placing your orchid where it will be exposed to hot or cold drafts.
If your orchid is frequently exposed to cold drafts, it can cause stress and damage to the developing buds, which can lead to a shorter flowering period or even the failure of some of the developing buds.
Frequent exposure to hot drafts or hot, dry air can cause the flowers to dry out, wilt, and shorten flowering time due to excessive stress on the flowers. For more information and tips on installing orchids in your home, check out this article.
Proper light exposure can make your orchids bloom longer and more often
Orchids thrive in indirect but bright light, and placing your orchid in the right lighting conditions will extend orchid bloom times. Too little light leads to reduced photosynthesis, which can reduce the ability to generate energy to maintain the current bloom and develop the next spike and flower.
Excessive direct sunlight can cause over-drying and even scorching of flowers and leaves. See more information here. This can lead not only to the rapid loss of existing flowers, but even to the death of the entire orchid.
Proper watering will help your orchids bloom for months
Orchids can be very sensitive to the amount of water you give them, which can have a big impact on the health of the plant and therefore how long it blooms. Orchids should always be potted in a very well-drained medium, in a pot with plenty of drainage holes.
Orchids really suffer if left in water or overwatered, as this can lead to suffocation and root death.
It is best to monitor the dryness of the soil and wait until it is almost completely dry before watering.
Soak the roots well with water, being careful not to wet the leaves and flowers. This will ensure the orchid gets enough water, so the flowers can focus on blooming and you have a beautiful display in your home.
Avoid pollinating insects
Once an orchid has been pollinated, it has served its biological function and the flowers often die soon after pollination. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep pollinating insects out of your orchid growing area.
Humidity
Humidity is an important factor in keeping orchid flowers healthy and long lasting. Orchid flowers can wilt, overburden, and drop prematurely when exposed to very dry conditions. Most homes have humidity above 40% and this is usually enough for the most common types of orchids.
For homes that cannot achieve sufficient humidity levels, there are several ways you can increase the humidity. A humidifier can increase the humidity in a room in general, or a simple humidity tray can be placed under the orchid pot, which usually increases the humidity to a satisfactory level.
Keep your orchids away from fruits and air fresheners
Ethylene gas, released during fruit ripening and some air fresheners, can harm the health of orchid flowers, causing them to wilt and die prematurely. Therefore, do not place your orchid in close proximity to ripe fruit or air fresheners.
Do not spray your orchids to avoid damaging their flowers.
Orchids thrive in humid conditions, but if flowers are regularly misted with water, it can increase the risk of fungal diseases on orchid flowers, leading to discolored flower spots or premature flower failure.
People sometimes question this advice because orchids, especially the common home-grown types, are plants native to the rainforest. Tropical rainforests are known for their frequent rainfall and humid conditions, and you can imagine this would also make orchids susceptible to fungal diseases. However, most indoor spaces have very little moving air circulation, and it is the combination of damp flowers and lack of air circulation that puts orchids grown indoors at much higher risk. to develop fungal diseases.
The flowering time of orchids depends on the type of orchid.
Although these orchid flowering tips are a general guide, there are differences between common types of orchids and I encourage you to seek information specific to your orchid variety in addition to this guide. The most commonly purchased variety of orchid is the phalaenopsis orchid, and here is a complete guide to caring for these beautiful orchids.
Let your orchids bloom again
There is another way to answer the question of how long orchids bloom. Orchids can bloom for several months at a time, once or twice a year for many years.
Orchids can be long-lived plants and will bloom repeatedly for many years if grown in the right conditions.
It always saddens me that so many people think that once an orchid has finished flowering it is dead, and they neglect it or throw it away.
It really is surprisingly easy to care for an orchid in a vegetative state, and after a few months you’ll probably see new blooms and you won’t have to wait long for your orchid to bloom again.