Ideally, the butterfly orchid (bot. Phalaenopsis) will flower continuously for several months, sometimes for a year or more. It often takes a long time before the next blossoms. Some orchid owners then lose patience.
The Phalaenopsis needs a lot of light
Why isn't my Phalaenopsis flowering?
There can be various reasons why your Phalaenopsis does not bloom. For example, a location that is too warm or poor lighting conditions is possible. Your Phalaenopsis may have been watered too much or fertilized incorrectly.
Orchids usually bloom about once a year. If the last flowering lasted a particularly long time, the subsequent flowering pause may last a little longer. That's nothing to worry about. However, if your Phalaenopsis does not put on new buds after a year, then the time has come to act.
What stimulates the Phalaenopsis to flower?
In its tropical homeland, the sunshine per day is relatively constant at 12 hours, but the Phalaenopsis is not exposed to direct sun. In the Central European winter, the amount of light is therefore not sufficient. You can easily remedy this with a daylight lamp. At the same time, the temperature at the site should not fall below 18 °C.
The Phalaenopsis does not tolerate wet feet at all. Then she quickly suffers from root rot. Waterlogging is best avoided with moderate watering and a permeable substrate. As an alternative to regular watering, you can also dip your Phalaenopsis once a week.
The flowering of the Phalaenopsis can also be stimulated with an adapted fertilization. A nitrogen-rich fertilizer is recommended for good growth. You administer this in the period from March to September. In October you then switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer that promotes budding.
The essentials in brief:
- Do not allow temperatures to drop below 18°C
- provide sufficient light, if possible 12 hours a day (daylight lamp)
- Avoid waterlogging
- fertilize appropriately: emphasize nitrogen in the vegetation phase, emphasize phosphorus for flowering
tips
If your Phalaenopsis gets enough water, light, warmth and fertilizer, then it will certainly flower again soon.