Do Orchids Grow Back?

Understanding the flowering seasons of orchids and how to take care of them.

Orchids are a very popular choice among plant lovers, with their delicate beauty and their beautiful flowers. Their exotic appearance often draws attention, but many people wonder do orchids grow back after they've bloomed. The answer is yes, but first, we need to understand the flowering seasons of various orchids and how to take care of them.

There are many types of orchids, and their flowering seasons vary depending on the genus. Some orchids bloom only once a year, while others have multiple flowering seasons. Knowing the season when your orchid blooms is an essential factor in caring for it properly. When you purchase a new orchid, ask the grower about when it goes into bloom and for how long it blooms. Knowing the flowering season is important, particularly with Phalaenopsis. Light, temperature, humidity, and fertilizer also play important roles in orchid reblooming. 

Light

Orchids require specific care to ensure they bloom during their designated seasons. First and foremost, orchids need proper lighting. For the most part they require bright, but indirect light, making it ideal to place them near a window, being careful that they only receive direct sunlight in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid direct hot sunlight at all costs as this can severely damage your orchid. Different genus and species of orchids have different light level requirements.  Masdevallias, Miltoniopsis, Phalaenopsis, and some Paphiopedilums will do best in low light to bright shade conditions. Brassias, Cattleyas, Miltonias and Oncidiums like brighter indirect light conditions and Brassavolas, some Cattleyas and Vanda's do best in very bright light conditions. All orchids can benefit from some grow light supplementation

Temperature and Humidity

Orchids are also sensitive to temperature and humidity. They generally thrive in warm and humid conditions. In general Orchids like daytime temperatures in the range of 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 30 degrees Celsius). Choose an area of your home that your orchids will love by keeping the temperature within these ranges.  One convenient way to increase humidity is to place a humidifier in your growing room. If you don't have a humidifier, placing a bowl or vase of water in your growing room provides humidity for your orchids.

Watering and Fertilizing

Watering Orchids is also essential for their flowering and well being, but be careful not to overwater. Too much water can cause roots to rot and this is a common mistake that novice orchid growers make. Watering orchids is a little tricky at first if you are more familiar with house plants. Orchids are not grown in soil like house plants and do not need to be moist all the time. Water your orchids once a week, making sure that the growing medium drains well, but also, avoid letting any water accumulate where the leaves meet the stem, as the water can hold there, which can lead to fungal problems.

Fertilizing Orchids is also crucial and the terms watering and fertilizing are often used synonymously. Use a balanced orchid fertilizer such as a 20-20-20 formulation when your orchid is not in bloom and switch to a flowering formula that is lower in nitrogen and higher in potassium and phosphorus about a month prior to the flowering season. The above are general instructions, but orchid fertilizer requirements will vary by the species of orchid. If possible ask your local orchid expert or nursery garden supplier which fertilizer works best for your species.  We recommend that you water weakly, weekly for most orchids, that is to mix a lower dose than recommended on the label. If the instructions on the label are for monthly feeding, then divide that dose by 4 and mix with the same amount of water on the label.   

Do Orchids Grow Back: Phalaenopsis

One of the most common, and an easy orchid for beginners is the Phalaenopsis, also known as the Moth Orchid. These orchids bloom once a year, typically in the winter or spring, and can produce up to three flowering spikes at once. They produce large, stunning flowers that come in a range of colors and patterns. These flowers can last for several months, before they begin to fade. For more information, see how to care for orchids after blooming. 

To induce flowering in phalaenopsis orchids, they require indirect sunlight, moderate humidity, warm temperatures during the day and colder temperatures at night. An important and often overlooked factor in getting Phalaenopsis to rebloom, is temperature. If you have ever had a problem with getting your Phalaenopsis to rebloom, this is a likely cause. Phals need the temperature to drop into the low to mid fifty degrees Fahrenheit (11 to 15 degrees Celsius) just prior to the flowering season in order to induce blooming.  There can be other factors such as fertilizing and light that can contribute to flowering also but remember to control the growing environment nighttime temperature for Phalaenopsis prior to the flowering season.   

Phalaenopsis orchids should be watered and fertilized weakly, weekly with a flowering blend of high-phosphorus, high potassium, low nitrogen fertilizer during their flowering phase.

Vanda

The question of do orchids grow back can come up when it comes to the beautiful Vanda genus. Vanda orchids require bright light and high humidity to flower. If you have difficulty getting a Vanda to rebloom, one factor that is very important is light.  Vanda's prefer to be in a well-ventilated area where they can receive maximum bright but indirect sunlight. Vanda orchids also require weekly watering and a nutrient-rich fertilizer high in potassium and phosphorus to encourage flowering. To get your Vanda orchids to bloom, you should reduce watering frequency during the cooler months of the year and increase it during the warmer months.

Dendrobium

Another popular orchid is the Dendrobium, which can bloom up to three times a year. Dendrobium orchids are a diverse group of orchids, and they require different growing conditions depending on their species. These orchids produce a profusion of colorful flowers and grow well in bright, indirect light. As with other orchids adding a flowering blend of fertilizer, to the orchid's growing medium can encourage dendrobium orchids to bloom. They also prefer to be watered frequently but should be allowed to dry out between waterings.  Dendrobiums prefer cooler temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius) and high humidity. These orchids are unique because they have smaller flowers and elongated canes that grow vertically instead of horizontally. 

Cymbidium

The Cymbidium orchid is another genus that blooms in the winter, but it can also bloom in the summer. This orchid has larger flowers that can last for up to eight weeks. After the flowers fade, cut the stem down to about an inch above the base of the plant. This will stimulate new growth and future blooms.

Cattleyas

Cattleyas orchids are famous for their large, showy flowers. To get them to bloom, they require bright, direct sunlight for at least four hours a day (very early morning and late afternoon), warm temperatures, and moderate humidity. Supplementing with artificial light is a good idea if you cannot find the perfect location.  Cattleyas orchids should be watered once a week, and a potassium and phosphorus-rich fertilizer should be applied during the flowering season. In cooler months, they should be given a rest period where they receive less water and fertilizer, which can encourage flowering.

Oncidium

Oncidium orchids are a diverse group of orchids that come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. To induce flowering in Oncidium orchids, they require indirect sunlight, moderate humidity, and warm temperatures. They should be watered weekly and fertilized with a balanced fertilizer specifically for flowering. In addition, Oncidium orchids require a dry rest period to encourage flowering in the fall and winter.

When Do Orchids Grow Back

In conclusion, the answer to do orchids grow back is yes, but it depends on the genus or species and the conditions they're subjected to. The key factors that need to be considered include light, humidity, temperature, water, and fertilizer. Understanding the flowering seasons of your orchids is essential for proper care and encouraging new flower spike growth. Additionally, taking care of your orchids by providing adequate lighting, temperature, humidity, watering, and fertilizer all year round will ensure their growth and overall health. With the right care, following the above guidelines for each orchid variety, you can help your orchids thrive and produce stunning blooms year after year. Orchids can produce flowers and bloom for many years, providing lasting beauty and elegance to your home.