Orchid Care After Flowering: A Complete Guide

Here at Plantly, I can never forget my Grandma saying, “Never buy orchid flowers. They do not make excellent houseplants.” Of course, as Grandma was the garden expert, I tend to believe her.

Still, who can resist these exotic flowers, and yes, you find yourself leaving with one when visiting the garden center. So you go with a Phalaenopsis orchid in your hands and think I will enjoy it while it lasts.

Well, Grandma, this time around, you were wrong as the moth orchids flourished and bloomed. It blossomed and flowered again even after repotting. So, you can have success, and it is not always what Grandma knows.

But, how can you make the flower spike bloom year after year when the flower spikes fade. With some orchid care after blossoming tips, here it is possible. And no, you do not need miracles for it to happen.

Phalaenopsis Orchid Care After Blooming

Phalaenopsis orchid flowering

How long an orchid bloom depends on the orchid flower, you have. For example, if you have a moth orchid, it grows new flower spikes yearly. Yet, your plant will most likely only grow one flower stalk per year and can bloom for up to five months.

Still, once all the flowers fall off, there are three options for you to use to make your Phalaenopsis orchids bloom again. But before we discuss the available options, we need to clear up an important thing.

There is no concern if your orchid’s flower buds fall off, especially if you have only bought one now. You do not know how long the orchid flower has been open in the shop. As the saying goes, flowers do not last forever, even on any indoor or outdoor plant.

Here is what you can do after the flower withers.

First Option Leave Phalaenopsis Orchids As-Is

The plain and simple thing is to leave the whole orchid flower spike intact. According to other orchid parents, the flower stem continues to grow some more buds at the tip. Yet, the stem also grows longer and might look ungainly while your flowers will grow smaller. Well, we do not recommend this as the best option available but it is a route you can take.

Second Option After Flower Buds Fall Cut the Stem

Yes, snip off the flower stalk right above one of the nodes on the spike. You will see a node growing every few inches on the spike. The nodes look like small bumps with a triangular pointed covering.

You can count up to two nodes below where the flower was and snip right above the node, leaving room to prevent making a cutting too close to it. You may find that sometimes new flower spikes at the remaining nodes to continue blooming.

Still, it does not always happen, so do not feel discouraged if it does not occur. You can see new side branches starting to grow from the flower spike. Sometimes they appear after a light pruning of the stalk.

Using this method prolongs the flowering season, and you do not need to wait for new flower spikes to grow.

Third Option Remove The Whole Flower Spike

When the flower spike starts turning brown or drying up, it is time to remove the whole stem. You can take a pair of sterilized snippers using rubbing alcohol to snip the entire spike off at the section where the brown ends as close to the bottom as possible. After doing this, your orchid plants should grow new leaves and roots.

Care For Orchids As Normal

flowering orchids

Once you decide which option worked best for your plant, resume your usual care routine. We recommend returning your orchid to the same spot to do its thing. An east window works well as your moth orchid thrives in low light but loves the morning sun. Continue with watering and fertilize as usual.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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