Why Are Phalaenopsis Orchid Flowers Small After Reblooming? What to Do

For friends at home who have fallen down the Phalaenopsis rabbit hole, what they care about most is extending the flowering period. But many people, after growing them for a while, no longer even ask for a longer flowering period - they just settle for the orchid blooming successfully again. The reason is that orchids are native to tropical rainforests, and if the indoor growing environment is not appropriate, they will either fail to bloom, or the flowers will keep getting smaller and smaller when they do bloom. So what exactly is the reason? What can be done to solve the problem of Phalaenopsis flowers getting smaller on rebloom?

Generally speaking, when a Phalaenopsis blooms again with smaller flowers, the main factors are inadequate nutrition, root problems, an unsuitable environment, and the plant getting old. First, inadequate nutrition: you should know that every time an orchid blooms, the nutrients it needs are depleted very quickly. If, after the first flush of flowers fades, you do not fertilize in time, the little bit of nutrition in the soil is simply not enough for new flower buds to grow, so naturally the flowers are smaller when it reblooms. Here it is recommended to give it regular applications of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer makes the leaves grow strong and sturdy, phosphorus fertilizer is specifically for flowering, and potassium fertilizer helps the plant resist disease.

Second, root problems also affect flowering. Roots are the core of every plant. To successfully absorb nutrients and water, you must not water too much, or the roots will rot; nor too little, or they will dry out. Too much or too little watering can both cause the soil to compact, leaving the roots unable to work properly. So watering must be done in the right amount: follow the rule of watering only after the soil has dried, and use loose, breathable soil.

In addition, an unsuitable environment will not do either. Phalaenopsis is naturally sensitive to temperature, light and humidity, and if the temperature does not meet the mark when it reblooms, the size of the flowers will be affected. It likes an environment of 18 to 28°C best. Light that is too dim or too bright is no good, and air that is too dry will also keep the flowers from growing well.

Finally, there is the plant getting old. This is a natural response, just like with humans: when too old, its functions degenerate. Even if nutrition is adequate, its cell vitality declines, so naturally its ability to absorb nutrients worsens, and the flowers become smaller and less attractive. If in this situation you really cannot grow it well, try dividing and propagating it, or just buy a new seedling!