After an orchid has finished blooming, there are several things you can do to care for it and encourage it to bloom again in the future. Here are some options:
-
Cut back the flower spike: Once the flowers have fallen off the plant, you can cut back the flower spike to just above a node (the small bump on the stem). This will encourage the orchid to produce a new spike and bloom again in the future.
-
Keep watering: Continue to water your orchid as usual, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Be careful not to overwater, as this can cause root rot.
-
Provide adequate light: Orchids need bright, indirect light to thrive. Place your orchid in a location where it will receive plenty of light but not direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
-
Maintain humidity: Orchids are native to tropical regions and thrive in a humid environment. To keep your orchid healthy, mist it regularly or place a tray of water near the plant to increase humidity.
-
Fertilize: Orchids need regular fertilization to thrive. Use a balanced orchid fertilizer once a month to provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to grow.
Alternatively, you can also choose to leave the orchid alone after it has finished blooming. This can allow the plant to grow a natural extension on the existing stems and start to produce more blooms. However, this may not always happen, and you may get a smaller second splash of orchid flowers on the existing stems.
In summary, after an orchid has finished blooming, you can cut back the flower spike, keep watering, provide adequate light, maintain humidity, and fertilize it to encourage it to bloom again in the future. Alternatively, you can leave the orchid alone and wait for it to produce more blooms naturally.