They will bloom again, but in the meantime, you have a few options: You can let it be, while making sure to fertilize it monthly or sometimes even as often as every other week. Use a houseplant fertilizer or balanced fertilizer (example: 20-20-20) at half the recommended rate.
After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.
You see, with the absence of leaves the plant can not manufacture food, thus breaking down the orchids growth cycle. Orchids work in cycle between growing new leaves and new roots to new blooms. And without it having current leaves, a new leaf cannot grow because leaves grow from the middle of existing leaves.
Of all of the more commonly available orchids, only Phalaenopsis (the moth orchid) will re-bloom from its old spike. Phalaenopsis will generally re-bloom given a little extra care.
You can remove the entire flower spike so that the orchid plant can put more energy back into the leaves and roots, helping it to grow stronger and produce a fresh new flower spike. Be sure to use sterilized pruning shears or scissors versus a knife. This will avoid damage to the plant.
Re-growing a plant from a single leaf works for some species, like succulents and Begonia, but unfortunately not for orchids. The leaf would have to have some stem attached, as that's the only part that contains the right cells for regrowing.
It's normal for an orchid to lose its old leaves, especially after it moves froma commercial greenhouse with very humid air to the extremely dry air of the average home in winter. Also, as new leaves appear in spring, the plant often loses a corresponding number of old leaves.
Once your orchid has started to rebloom, your work is not done! Continue to water and care for your orchid like you normally would, and its bloom should last between 30-45 days. If you are lucky, your orchid may be able to bloom twice a year!
How long does it take a new orchid spike to grow? If you notice a spike forming, be patient; this fixture on your orchid can take around three months to grow. For healthy spikes, you'll want to have a healthy orchid in the first place.
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.
It takes a month or two, or even several months for Phalaenopsis orchids to rebloom. Many other varieties of orchids bloom annually.
If you find that your orchid has bad roots, snip them off with a sterilized cutting tool and then repot it. On the other hand, if the part of the orchid that connects the leaves and the roots is mushy, it is time to toss the plant.
Your orchid is about to become a new parent! These leafy growths are called “keikis,” the Hawaiian word for “baby,” and are actually baby orchids that can be cut from the stalk and planted to create new plants.
In general, water once a week during the winter and twice a week when the weather turns warm and dry. The size of your orchid container also helps determine how often you need to water, regardless of climate conditions. Typically, a 6-inch pot needs water every 7 days and a 4-inch pot needs water every 5 to 6 days.
Overall, the most common reason that orchids fail to bloom is insufficient light. The Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum orchids are usually happy with the filtered light in a windowsill but many other varieties need more light than that.
Although orchids have a reputation for being difficult to care for, with the right growing conditions these striking houseplants—which can survive for up to 15 years—easily thrive.
Let's talk about the Phalaenopsis orchid or moth orchid, the one you likely got from the grocery store. This is the only orchid that will rebloom on the same stalk. All other orchids will bloom again, but not from the same stalk. All other orchids can be trimmed at the base of the flower stalk.
In homes with low humidity, air roots can turn yellow and shrivel. If this occurs, wait until your orchid stops blooming, and then use a sterile knife or scissors to cut away the shriveled roots.
When your orchid is getting ready to rebloom, you'll see something that looks like a root sprouting from the media. The tip of the growth will take the shape of a mitten. If your new growth is a root, it will maintain a rounded edge.
Changes in watering frequency, pollution, insufficient light, temperature fluctuation, and environmental shifts cause healthy-looking orchid buds to fall off, wither and shrivel. Phalaenopsis orchids are particularly susceptible to their buds falling off due to inconsistencies in care and their location.
New orchid spikes
Orchid flower spikes are usually greener than roots and have a flatter, mitten-shaped tip. While growing, spikes remain green along their full length. Orchid spikes usually emerge from between the plant's leaves, not from the plant's center.
Cut the stem all the way to the bottom if it dies after cutting above a node. This does happen, but after you cut the stem all the way back the plant should produce another shoot from its base. Be patient, as it can take several months to see this new growth.