5 Tips to Keep Your Orchids Blooming for Longer

Orchids are notoriously difficult to keep alive, many people I know tell me they will have orchids for a week before they die off! There are so many misconceptions about caring for orchids that are actually killing them, these plants can flower for 2-3 months at a time, have a lifespan of 15 years and there have even been reports of orchids living up to 100 years! So here are 5 tips on how to keep your orchid blooming for longer:

1. Take your orchid out of that ceramic pot!

Orchids are naturally parasitic plants that grow on trees, the roots are therefore out in the open and should be allowed to see the sun as they have their own role in photosynthesis to play. You will see that some of the roots are green which shows they have chlorophyll in them. Don't hide them from the sun!

2. Do not water the orchid with ice cubes!

It may seem like a good way to give the water to the orchid slowly but all this does is shock a tropical plant which is not good for it. The plant will be more likely to die and then you will have to buy another orchid... which some suggest is why retailers recommend you water orchids with ice.

3. Water your orchid from the bottom

You can water orchids from the top as well but personally I find it easier to water them from the bottom. Get a pot slightly larger than the pot your orchids are in and put a little bit of water in the bottom. Then sit your orchid in the water for 15 minutes letting the orchid roots soak up the water. Don't leave them in for too long because it can suffocate the roots. Then, don't water the orchid again until there is no condensation left on the pot. I have kept orchids blooming for months at a time from this method (and orchids that were bought already in full bloom).

This is an orchid I adopted from work that was in a very sad way

4. Put your orchid in a well lit are but without direct sunlight

An east facing window is usually suggested here as they get less sun than a west facing window but still get the indirect light it needs to thrive! Direct sunlight all day can cause the chlorophyll in the plant to deteriorate so the orchid will end up with yellowish leaves. The opposite of this, insufficient light, is also the main cause of orchids failing to bloom.

5. Select the orchid with the most healthy looking buds on it

An easy way to get orchids to bloom for longer is by selecting the orchid with the most buds on it when shopping for orchids. It is tempting to go for the one with the largest flowers on that looks the prettiest right now but if you want to ensure you have the whole cycle of flowering then buying ones with large but unopened buds on will let you enjoy your flowers for much longer.

Hopefully this helps you on your quest to the longest flowering orchid. These tips may just help you go from having an orchid that dies within a week of purchase to one that blooms for years to come!