How to Make Orchids Bloom

Most people will agree that orchids are beautiful flowers. Have you ever purchased an orchid and placed it in your home expecting repeat blooms that never come? Then you end up looking for advice on How to Make Orchids Bloom.

The main reason healthy-looking orchids do not bloom is insufficient light. If you have no blooms, you should check out the foliage. If the leaves are a beautiful dark green and the plant is healthy, but there are no flowers, this means your plant is not getting enough light. Under the correct lighting, the foliage should be a light, grassy green. The foliage should be showy and firm on phals, cattleyas and dendrobriums. Paphs should have mottled leaves with good color contrast.

In order to understand How to Make Orchids Bloom, you need to understand the different lighting exposures as they relate to orchids. If you have them in a spot where the light is from the north, that could be the problem. The northern exposure is just not enough light for orchids. Eastern light generally works well. You can also try the southern exposure; it gives you the most flexibility. If you use a western window, the orchid need to be slightly shaded during the hottest months.

Another consideration is if the window is shaded by trees or buildings, reducing light to your orchid. If you are trying to figure out How to Make Orchids Bloom, you may have to adjust the lighting. Phals and paphs will do well in bright, indirect light. Oncidiums do better in a slightly brighter light. Dendrobriums and Cattleyas require bright light. You would be well-advised to put them in a southern exposure. If you only have low light, the Maudiae-type slipper orchids will bloom in low light. Sometimes they will even bloom in an unobstructed, northern window even though brighter light is usually recommended.

Skylights usually do not provide enough light unless you live in Arizona, or your skylight is about five feet above your orchid. Of course, there is always the exception! The shade-loving orchids will probably do well here. Again, keep tabs on the foliage, and the plant will let you know what it needs.If you need to move your plants closer to the light source, do it very gradually. The leaves on your orchid can be burned from the sun. Even a foot can make a big difference.

Orchids usually need about a ten degree drop in temperature in the evening to encourage them to bloom. In order to accomplish this goal, you can move the plant near a window, open a window near your orchid or turn your thermostat down in the evening. The art of How to Make Orchids Bloom is one of patience and dedication.


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