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How Long Do Orchid Blooms Last?

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Orchids are the flowering plant family, which are incredibly popular and can be found worldwide. People grow them in their gardens or at home, and generally, everyone loves them for their fragrant and colorful appeal.

The family of orchids are made up of so many different flowers, which are incredibly versatile and can add excellent color to any setting in which they are placed.

Currently, there are about 28,000 different orchids species accepted, which means this family is very large.

People love to grow orchids indoors because they are extremely easy to grow and do not require much maintenance. If you have them at home, you don’t need to worry very much.

If you give your plant a primary treatment, it will grow well. Many people want to know how long do orchid blooms last because everyone likes flowers in their garden or home.

Phalaenopsis orchids in the rain How Long Do Orchid Blooms Last

You require to know that orchids require proper care while they want to bloom. They’re exotic and wonderful, linked with fertility, sexuality, and virility for centuries.

You are supposed to know that how long the orchid blooms last depends mainly on how you care for them. Typically, the blooms are the beautiful part of the orchids, and of course, you need to make sure they last as long as possible.

How Long Do Orchid Blooms Last?

The answer to this question will vary greatly depending on the orchid type. Some of the famous orchids, such as Phalaenopsis, bloom once or even twice a year.

With the proper care, the blooming period can last between 60 and 120 days. Although Phalaenopsis is one of the most common varieties for orchid lovers, other varieties are considered.

Some are easy to get, like the well-connected and most experienced gardeners, while others can be challenging.

How Long Do Orchid Blooms Last
via Pxhere

Every orchid bloom has its typical period and other important characteristics that can influence the way it is cared for or grown. Here are some of the popular varieties for orchid blooms and their blooming period.

Orchid speciesBlooming period
Cattleya OrchidsBetween 7 and 21 days
Paphiopedilum orchidsBetween 6 and 12 weeks
Oncidium OrchidsBetween 6 and 8 weeks
Dendrobium OrchidsBetween 8 and 16 weeks
Phalaenopsis OrchidsBetween 2 and 6 months

Factors To Consider for The Orchid Blooms to Last Longer

Light

The most common reason why orchids don’t bloom or fail to bloom is their insufficient light. Some orchid species are okay with filtered light, but others require a little or more light.

Typically, some might be lucky enough to sit on the windowsill, but some might not. For example, Dendrobium, Cattleya, and Oncidium are orchid species, which need additional light to bloom.

In some cases, it may even be necessary to keep them outdoors to receive enough light. Light becomes an essential factor for orchids to bloom.

Note that they are not like tomato plants where they can’t stand the full sun. Essentially, it is best to give them a slight shade to keep them in position.

The Roots

If the orchid roots are in good condition, you can enjoy the beautiful blooms. These plants are deceptive, where the leaves can be pretty, but the roots can have serious problems.

In many cases, the trouble with the roots is usually due to the plants not watered or repotted properly. Like many living things, orchids require oxygen to survive. They will suffocate if they do not receive enough oxygen.

Conventional media can’t be used on potted plants. The best combination of orchids will deteriorate over time and will need to be replaced.

Many people are often afraid to repot and leave orchids in a similar mix for long. Eventually, they suffer a health problem. There is no need to compromise when choosing an orchid mix.

Remember that freshness and quality are paramount, so you must take this into account when choosing.

Temperature

This helps to keep the orchids a slight cool at first and help to stimulate bloom bud formation. Also, it helps to slow down growth and further extend the possible flowering period of the selected orchid variety.

Once you have purchased an orchid plant, you should take it home with you. If you have a long trip, you should avoid causing unnecessary stress, like exposing it to very cold or hot temperatures.

Ideally, buy the orchid and take it with you right away. This is not the time to run multiple errands or stop off on a particularly cold or hot day.

When you get home, be sure to keep the orchid plant at 64-77 degrees. Also, you are supposed to avoid sudden changes in temperature in the house, which can stress the plant.

Watering

Water is a requirement for all types of plants, and orchids being one of them. If you plan to let the orchids bloom for long, make sure you give them enough water.

Usually, the orchids should be watered every two weeks. When the soil starts to dry out, know that the plants need to be watered.

The best way to water your orchids is by taking them out of the container and placing them in a grower’s pot. The grower’s pots are easy to find and are the best option.

Once you have placed the plant in a pot, keep it under the tap, which runs slow for between 10 and 15 seconds. When you start watering, be sure to water all plant sides. However, it is necessary to prevent the crown and leaves from getting wet.

Avoid Pollinating Insects

Biologically, the pollinated orchid means it has reached its life cycle. At this point, it is no longer focusing on producing new blooms, and the blooms may wither or fall as well.

Orchids are best kept indoors or in a protected place where bees and other insects, which are pollinating, cannot accidentally aid in reproduction.

Let The Orchid Blooms Be in A Humid Environment

As subtropical and tropical plants, orchids are typically used to higher humidity. In very dry conditions, the plants can wilt and drop after blooming and damage the tender foliage.

It is better to keep your house or at least a room where the orchids live in the humidity of above 40%.

If the house is drier or struggling to maintain constant humidity in the region, you may need to keep the humidifier in a room with an orchid.

Also, this allows you to control humidity without intense swings that can damage the plant. Similarly, humid air can better retain heat energy, thus avoiding temperature fluctuations.


Conclusion

Orchids require a little more effort and care than ordinary house plants. They’re genuinely exotic, and extra care makes them different from others to make you enjoy years of blooming and a gardening experience.

Different orchid species have different blooming periods. At first glance, it might seem more challenging to know their blooming, but over time, you will probably find it more manageable.

Also, keeping an eye on this article can help you know how long they take. Some other factors need to be considered, like finding the special care and watering schedule needed to maximize the orchid blooming period every year.

After you celebrate the first successful blooming, you might find yourself looking for other orchid species to beautify your home.