Orchids have beautiful and extraordinary flowers that add elegance and great ambiance to your space. However, unlocking the proper care regimen for these beauties to rebloom is sometimes a dilemma that gardeners face.

So, do orchids grow back? Keep reading ahead to find out how you can keep your orchids healthy and blooming for many years to come.

Orchids grow back not just once but for a lifetime as long as you provide them with proper plant care. They can rebloom on the same old flower spike as long as it is still green.

You can also decide to cut the old bare flower spike back to a node to promote bushy and lush foliage.

This gives your plant overall health. Now, let’s learn more about these special flowers.

Also check: Orchid Leaves Turning Yellow

How do you get an orchid to bloom again?

Orchids will bloom again after the last flower has wilted.

However, you need to remove the entire spike if it has turned yellow or brown. It is also advisable to remove the whole old flower spike.

Cutting it back to the node encourages the orchid to redirect its energy to make more leaves and roots, which helps it grow sturdy and a fresh new flower spike.

One of the best practices is sterilizing your garden shears and cutting tools before using them to prevent bacteria and fungi from infecting your lovely orchids.

After cutting a flower spike, immediately add a fungicide on the place where you trimmed it since orchids are prone to fungi and bacterial diseases.

Now, let us answer some more frequently asked questions, and allow me to share some gardening care tips to successfully rebloom your orchid plant.

How long does it take for an orchid to rebloom?

An orchid plant may enter into a dormancy stage where it stops blooming. This stage is a resting period that allows the plant to replenish the nutrients utilized during the blooming process. This is a normal life cycle for an orchid plant.

Some orchids lose their flower and leaves depending on the variety, while others may seem like it is not flowering. This period usually lasts about 6-9 months. After this, the orchid should be ready to blossom once it has regained its energy back.

This resting stage is the best time to prune your orchid. Just repot it if it has outgrown its container, and cut off old roots so it can regrow fresh ones for overall plant health.

Do orchids come back each year?

Yes, orchids come back each year with good love and care. However, they might need some help to rebloom after the dormancy stage.Just like humans, an orchids’ growth is dependent on its environment.

Suitable habitat is essential for its healthy development and maximum growing potential. It needs indirect sunlight, moderate room temperatures, and infrequent watering once every 1-2 weeks.

They must be kept away from extreme changes in temperatures and ripening fruits because they produce gas that may be harmful to plants.

Do orchids grow back after they die?

Only a living orchid plant can grow back.

A dead orchid has rotted roots that are brown or black, and they are soft and mushy. When the roots reach this stage, they can no longer absorb water, oxygen, and nutrients from the soil. As a result, its leaves have wilted and withered, ready to fall off the stem.

That being said, the best way to determine if your orchid is still alive is by inspecting the roots. If the roots are still green, it is still alive and might be dormancy or needs help regenerating its energy.

Sometimes your orchid plant may have one rotten root that needs to be immediately removed so that you can stop fungi and bacteria from infecting the rest of the plant. This promotes the roots to regrow healthily and gives the plant a better robust support system.

Let me give you a few more care tips to keep your orchids blooming.

What do you do with an orchid after it blooms?

Read about the few things you can do while waiting for your orchids to rebloom.

• Fertilize it

You can choose to leave it as it is, and just ensure that you fertilize the orchid plant monthly.

You can do this every other week using a houseplant fertilizer or balanced fertilizer (example: 20-20-20).

This makes sure that the orchid plant may produce new blooms on the old spike. Let the orchid generate new side flower spikes.

Prune the entire flower spike. This enables the orchid plant to redirect energy back into the leaves and roots. It helps it to grow stronger and produce a fresh new flower spike.

• Give it indirect sunlight

You can also encourage your orchids to rebloom by moving them to a spot where they receive the same amount of indirect sunlight exposure as before.

Ensure that the nighttime temperatures are a bit lower than their current environment (ideally between 55 to 65 degrees F). Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight because it burns its leaves. An indication of this is the black tips on its leaves. That means your plant is suffering from sunburn.

A signal that an orchid flower spike has developed when a root-like new growth starts to shoot upwards, and the tip appears more like a mitten, which is different from a root tip that appears rounded. Once you have identified the orchid flower spike, the orchid can be returned to its usual environment.

As the flower spike grows, sustain it with a stake along the way. To create an artful display of orchid flowers, shy away from changing the orientation to the light when it is developing its flowers. Otherwise, the flowers start twisting on the stem, and you may lose an excellent arching floral exhibit.

Summary

Orchids are an excellent addition to your garden whether you choose to keep them indoors or outdoor. Cultivating a healthy environment for your orchid plant is a surefire way to keep them blooming year after year. Have a fun time gardening.