Orchids: care when flowers fall

Orchids: care when flowers fall

Having a natural orchid with flowers throughout the year, and lasting several, is practically impossible. There will come a time when the plant loses its flowers and you see how they fall because they have fulfilled their days. But, What to do with orchids; What care do they need when the flowers fall?

If when the flowers fall on the orchids you have not worried about whether you have to do something else or leave them until they bloom, here we give you the keys that you must take into account when taking care of them.

When do orchids bloom?

When do orchids bloom?

As with many plants, orchids only bloom once a year. This flowering takes place at the end of February, which means that from that month you can see how a stem grows upwards from which buds will come out that will give rise to flowers.

Now, you have to know that, sometimes, when they are given a good condition (temperature, lighting, fertilizer, watering ...) the flowering can come early, and lead, not to the year, but every 8 months.

How long do orchid flowers last?

As a general rule, the average time they last the flowers in the orchid is 12 weeks, that is, about 3 months. After that time, the flowers begin to wither and, finally, to fall.

Now, as we have said before with flowering, it may be the case that the orchid keeps the flowers beyond those 12 weeks, and continue much longer, for several months. It is something unusual, but we cannot say that it never happened. However, to achieve this, you must provide it with adequate care.

Orchids: care when flowers fall

Orchids: care when flowers fall

Now let's move on to the practical side. That is, to what you really should do in the orchids to take care of them when the flowers fall. Many think that at that moment the plant goes into a kind of lethargy and, therefore, that they do not have to take care of it.

But the truth is that it is the opposite. At that moment, the plant requires much stricter conditions which are what determine that, the following year, it will sprout again. Do you want to know what they are?

More natural light

Once the flowers have fallen, you must ensure that this stay in a place near the window, where it is bright but not direct sun, as that would be detrimental to her.

Try to keep it at a temperature between 15 and 30 degrees and, if possible, with a somewhat high humidity so that it feels good. That will promise you that it blooms in a few months.

Take care of the humidity

The humidity of the plant. You have to ensure that the substrate it has, that is, its soil (in this case bark) is moist, but not waterlogged, but it can drain well and keep some moisture.

To give you an idea, in humid weather, the orchid should only be watered very occasionally and little by little. On the other hand, in dry weather, or with rooms where it is hot, it will require more waterings, but not more than twice a week.

A trick to know if the plant needs water or is wet is to look at the pot against the light. If you see that there is moisture, do not water it. Otherwise, you can add a little water.

Orchid fertilizer, of the care when the flowers fall that you cannot forget

Orchid fertilizer, of the care when the flowers fall that you cannot forget

Many think that the fertilizer should only be added when they are in flowering season, but not when the flowers fall. And actually, in the case of orchids, it is very important because, if you do not give them those nutrients, it is very difficult for them to bloom again.

There are many varieties and brands on the market, but We recommend that you always choose a liquid one (to add it to irrigation). The indications of the amount that you should add will be in the pot and it is convenient to add them to help them recover from that flowering and prepare for the next one.

Cut the stem from the flowers

If the orchid has already lost all the flowers on a stick, and does not have any that are going to grow new, it is advisable, to prevent the plant from losing energy and strength, cut it to help it recover sooner.

This must also be done before it begins to dry out or turn yellow, since if you take too long you can end up getting sick without realizing it (until it may be too late). Now, it does not mean being ready with scissors to cut the flower as soon as the flower falls. You must wait a few days or weeks because, on some occasions, that rod can bloom again and take new buds without realizing it, with which you would have new flowers.

To cut it, always choose to cut it flush with the leaves.

What do I do with the orchid if the stem and leaves start to turn yellow?

One of the situations that you can go through with your orchids after they lose their flowers is that the stem begins to yellow and dry, but also the leaves do. The first thing you should do is cut the rod completely, since all that will be robbing the plant of energy, as well as nutrients.

The next is check the pot to see if the substrate is too wet. The yellowing of the leaves tend to be caused by humidity in the root zone, so if you see that they begin to lose their color, or be black, it is best to remove it from that pot, remove the substrate and provide one new.

This will be adding new nutrients, but you will also ensure that the new crusts will drain the water well.

Lastly, try leave a time without watering the plant, until you see that it really needs it, Because, as we tell you, the fact that an orchid turns yellow the leaves is almost always due to excessive watering.

With all this we make sure that the orchids have the necessary care for when the flowers fall, although we cannot assure you that it will bloom. But you will have put all the means at your disposal to achieve it. Has it happened to you? You have experience? Let us know!


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6 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Maria Pilaquinga said

    Excellent indications

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Thanks Maria.

      We are glad to know that you liked it.

  2.   JOSE MARIA said

    Hello
    I love all the posts about the plants that you send
    Thank you very much for a great job
    Morning

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Thanks María José.

      We love that you like them 🙂

  3.   CARLOS ZARAGOZA CASTRO said

    I have varis and I did not know that I had to cut the stem after they bloom, thank you also not to put too much water

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Thanks to you!