What to Do If Your Orchid Won't Bloom? Learn How to Encourage Orchids to Flower

1. Light. Light is the main factor that encourages orchid plants to develop flower buds. The intensity of light varies greatly depending on the orchid species. Generally, when flower buds are forming, if the orchid plant is placed under fairly bright light, the red, dark red and yellow colors will deepen when it blooms. For orchid plants that bear green or white flowers, the light intensity should be reduced as soon as the buds first appear, to keep the flower color more pure and elegant, and after flowering ends, more light should be given again. Generally, orchids need 2 to 3 hours of light. If the leaves are soft and a moderate green, it indicates normal light. If the leaves are dark green and soft, it indicates that more light is needed; if the leaves are pale yellow, it indicates that light should be reduced.

2. Temperature. To encourage orchids to bloom, the difference between day and night temperatures should be about 10 degrees Celsius, that is, 18 to 21 degrees Celsius during the day and 7 to 10 degrees Celsius at night, under which conditions they grow best and bloom somewhat more. If the night temperature is high, the orchid leaves will become soft and the flower buds will drop. If the temperature is too low, it will cause blind buds, and spots will also appear on the leaves. If the plant suffers low-temperature damage while flowering, brown spots will appear on the flowers.

3. Watering. The amount of watering is also a major condition for orchids to bloom, and moisture must be well controlled. Too much moisture will make the orchid plant grow excessively and make it hard for flower buds to form. Suitable moisture is one of the ways to encourage blooming. However, a lack of moisture can cause the buds to be trapped in the bracts.