How long orchids last

If you are not sure, you can get a small hygrometer to measure humidity. Winter seasons can be the driest indoors, so watch closely once the colder weather hits. You can try any of the usual methods to up the humidity, like daily mistings or keeping a dish of water nearby with small stones to speed up the evaporation. For a more serious orchid enthusiast, a humidifier in the room can also do the trick. You may just be curious about how long the orchid blooms last , rather than the lifespan of the entire plant.

Most orchids will come into flower once a year , and their colorful blossoms can easily last for weeks, or even months. Some newer hybrids have repeated bloom cycles in a year, and some will even flower continuously. While we are on the subject of flowering, you should know that you have to do a little environmental tweaking to get your plants to bloom because they need seasonal changes to start the cycle.

You have to let the temperature drop considerably overnight to get orchids to flower, sometimes as much as 10 to 15 degrees. If you want to have an orchid that lives for a long time, it would be best to choose one that is fairly easy to grow. And in that case, you do have a few good choices available. The most common and easiest to grow type of orchid is the moth orchid, also known as Phalaenopsis. Definitely go with indirect light rather than bright sun, though they are fine with more heat than some other types of orchids.

Another option for a relatively easy orchid is the Lady of the Night orchid Brassavola , which is a hybrid known to flower more than once each year.

You can follow the general suggestions for care, though if your orchid is flowering a lot, you can add a little weak fertilizer to your routine to keep it healthy and living longer find a formula for orchids. Overall, this is a very tolerant choice if you are not used to the specialized care.

As you gain a bit more experience, you can give it a try. To add to the challenge, not all orchids reproduce exactly the same way and you may need to learn more than one technique depending on what you are growing. To use the popular moth orchid as an example, you can start new plants by potting the small offshoots that can develop along the stems.

It is important that you do not mist the blooms because if there is too much moisture on the blooms this can lead to orchid disease. Also avoid putting your orchid in an area with too much humidity because this can also create too much moisture. Another place you need to avoid placing an orchid is in a setting with no air circulation. Although, you will need to make sure that your orchid does get the right amount of indirect sunlight such as through a sheer curtain.

This indirect sunlight is essential in keeping the blooms vibrant. By following these few simple steps you can ensure that you will be rewarded with blooms. When growing orchids one of the most rewarding feelings, after putting in the time and effort, is getting beautiful blooms that you can enjoy. The Green Thumb Club includes a number of different benefits — including weekly lessons on all different orchid care topics delivered to you in a special, password-protected members area.

Join over 20, fellow orchid enthusiasts young and old and sign up for our free orchid care newsletter today! Signing you up! Click the Button Below to Sign Up:. All Rights Reserved. Members Contact Home. Orchid Blooming: Tips and Tricks.

Ideally, you want to choose somewhere that has a consistent temperature. Any random spikes in temperature can cause the leaves on your orchid to fall off. This is due to the plant going into shock because of the sudden change in environment. Another thing to bear in mind is the lighting. Orchids absolutely love bright, filtered sunlight. Failing that, you can always place something over the window to help filter out the direct sunlight. The final thing to consider is humidity. This is a tropical plant so it really enjoys a humid environment.

Can you think of anywhere in your home that could provide humidity and light? The bathroom! Otherwise, you can give the kitchen a go or look to increase the humidity surrounding the plant. Whilst these are an easy plant to care for, they are sensitive when it comes to watering. So getting this part right is key to increasing the lifespan of your Phalaenopsis orchid.

Plus, getting the watering right can have a huge impact on the length of blooms. As with all plants, to get the watering right, you first need to get the potting soil right.