How to re-bloom your Phalaenopsis orchids

It was the Victorians who triggered the trend for orchids that continues to this day. The Phalaenopsis orchid can appear particularly delicate, but with the right care and attention, the “butterfly flower” will flourish all year round with long-lasting blooms.

Introduced to Great Britain in 1846, Phalaenopsis orchids make a wonderful alternative to a cut flower delivery, as the blossoms last for months at a time and the plant can be kept for many years. Phalaenopsis orchids are incredibly popular and cherished gifts.

How to care for Phalaenopsis orchids

The Phalaenopsis orchid originates from tropical Asia, which means that our homes are the ideal temperature for this beautiful orchid to thrive. In their natural environment, the Phalaenopsis orchid grows on tree branches beneath the canopy, so they will do best out of direct sunlight, although they still need a bright spot to flourish and flower.

Commercial orchid growers actually promote the growth of the Phalaenopsis orchid at temperatures above 28°C during the blooming cycle. However, to maintain a Phalaenopsis orchid in your home, it will require night time temperatures of a minimum of 18°C and daytime temperatures of 19°C to 30°C.

A bright window location, out of direct sunlight, is the ideal position for the Phalaenopsis orchid. They can also do well in bathrooms. Water weekly, taking care not to overwater and keep both the flowers and leaves dry. Many people simply add a few ice cubes to their pot once a week to maintain steady root hydration.

Orchids are not heavy feeders but they will benefit from a weak fertiliser solution every one to two weeks. Phalaenopsis orchids should not be fed during the flowering stage.

How to re-bloom a Phalaenopsis orchid

A Phalaenopsis orchid will typically bloom twice a year. To re-flower the orchid, cut off any brown parts of the stem and cut it quite far back to the base. This allows the root system to strengthen as the plant regrows.

Phalaenopsis orchids are triggered to bloom by temperature. A few cold nights are necessary to stimulate a flower spike. You may need to move the plant to a cooler spot in the house (at around 10°C), or in the autumn, you can place the plant outside for a few nights, providing it doesn’t get too cold.

Once the flower spike re-emerges, the hard part is done. Phalaenopsis orchids usually produce one or two flower stems at a time. They can often have numerous flowers at any one time, so the stem needs to be strong or supported to prevent any breakage.

To mark any special occasion or simply to send a thank you or 'thinking of you' message in a beautiful flower bouquet, consider either an elegant single pink orchid or a more sumptuous arrangement from our collection at Memento Flowers.