How to make your orchid bloom again?
It's winter, and there's not much left to do in the garden. Why not take care of our houseplants? The orchid is one that now comes in all colours. Its pretty flowers are ideal for bringing a little cheerfulness to our homes during the bad season. The only drawback is that it rarely blooms again the following year. If, like me, you have experienced a few failures, read this article to learn how to make your orchid bloom again.
What is an orchid?
Orchids are herbaceous and perennial plants that belong to the Asparagales family. They are said to be mycotrophic, because they live with the mycelium of a mushroom. Its flowers are symmetrical in relation to the axis of the stem. Orchids produce tiny seeds that have no nutrient reserves. A few species are found in temperate regions, but the vast majority of orchids are found in tropical environments around the world. Due to deforestation, many orchid species are threatened.
In the language of flowers, it symbolizes fervor.
It also represents the symbol of 55 years of marriage.
It should be noted that the plants that adorn our homes are hybrids of commercial varieties. Examples include Brassidium and Cambria. In the orchid family, there are over 25,000 species in 850 genera. It is one of the most diverse families of plants.
What techniques should be used to make your orchid bloom again?
Cutting off the wilted parts
After flowering, it is advisable to remove the wilted parts that could harm the plant's development. We advise you to disinfect your tools to avoid the spread of disease. To prune your plant, you can cut the stem below the lowest flower. In this way, it will be able to grow back at this point.
Don't forget to repot
When the roots protrude from the pot, it is time to repot your plant. In general, this is done every 12 to 18 months. You can repot your orchid after flowering. Follow our method.
- Remove the plant from its pot.
- Leave it to soak for an hour in water.
- Remove the old bark.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Cut off the dead roots.
- Place a layer of a special orchid substrate.
- Place the plant in the new container.
- Fill in the empty spaces with the rest of the substrate.
How to take care of your orchid on a daily basis?
What exposure for the orchid?
This plant needs light to grow. However, it does not like direct sunlight. The place must therefore be bright but not too bright... You can use a veil or a curtain to filter it. In winter, it is still possible to expose it to the sun. Indeed, the latter are much less intense during this season.
How to water this tropical plant?
Although it generally thrives in a humid environment, it is advisable to be sparing with your watering. For this reason, I advise you to use a transparent plastic pot so that you can see the roots. When the roots turn white, it is time to water your houseplant. Simply fill the pot with water and place the plant in it. Let it soak for a few minutes and its roots will quickly grow back.
The orchid's sworn enemy: the mealy bug
This detestable parasite has a bad habit of lodging itself in our pretty indoor plants. It particularly likes humid environments, just like our orchid. This is why the mealy bug is found in late spring and early fall. The animal feeds on the plant's sap and damages the plants. There are many chemical treatments to fight them, but we suggest this natural method instead.
- Dilute a teaspoon of black soap to which you add a spoonful of vegetable oil.
- Add a spoonful of alcohol at 90 C.
- Dilute the mixture in one litre of water.
Once the mixture is made, you can spray it on your plant once a day for 3 or 4 days.
If transplanting this beautiful plant was not enough to occupy your long winter afternoons, you can always kill time by preparing delicious dishes with the summer vegetables that you had canned. This will bring a little sunshine to your plate before it comes back "for real".
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