Cattleya orchid in bloom
Cattleya blooms may only last a few weeks

ORCHIDS IN BLOOM...YEAR 'ROUND!

Even with a small collection of a few dozen plants growing indoors under lights, I was able to have an orchid in bloom every day for several years non-stop! Read on for tips on building a collection of orchid plants that blooms through the seasons.

1. Orchids are seasonal bloomers
Different orchids tend to flower at different times. This is especially true for many species or hybrids derived from them. Increasingly, though, you will find orchids in bloom year 'round due to extensive breeding. A particular orchids plant will tend to flower around the same time every year. So, if you buy a blooming spider orchid (brassia) in June, chances are it will bloom again around the same time the following year. Purchase your next flowering orchid in August and so forth. This way, you will be able to build a collection that blooms 'year round.

Having said, that most of the tropical orchids we grow in the northern hemisphere tend to flower best in the fall through spring months. That's why orchid show season starts in October and runs until about April.

2. Buy orchids with long last flowers
Orchids are legendary for having long lasting blooms. Often, the waxier or thicker the flower, the longer they will last. Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) can stay in bloom for three or more months without fading! Some tropical slipper orchids will often stay in bloom for 6-8 weeks. Cymbidiums, if you have the space for them, will also provide several months of color over winter. Make sure these orchids form the cornerstone of your collection for year 'round blooms.

Miltassia Orchid
Miltassia Charles Marden Fitch x
Miltonia candida will bloom in bright light

3. Let you plants grow up
Many orchids will bloom when they are quite young. Often, growers will divide their orchid plants too soon, before giving them a chance to grow into sizable clump or reach full maturity. Mature plants will produce the best flowers. Bigger plants also tend to bloom more often. They also have more flower spikes and in cases of orchids that produce several blooms on a spike, a higher flower count. All this adds up to more blooms for you to enjoy. It is also important remove all flower spikes once the blooms fade and allow your plant on building strength to bloom again the next year. (More on this to come on our LEARN section). Do not remove old, seemingly dead, canes/stems on dendrobiums. These will sometimes bloom again, or produce young plants at their tips which can then be removed to make a new plant.

4. Be sure to feed your plants
Orchids need nutrients to grow and bloom well. (See Why Won't My Orchid Bloom?) Orchids will not flower well without additional fertilizer or plant food. Feed plants using a commercial orchid fertilizer, or a regular flowering house plant fertilizer at half strength. Do not overfeed your orchids-they will not bloom any better and in fact may suffer or decline in health. Feed your plants most heavily during the spring and summer months when they are actively growing.