Why is the orchid not blooming and how to make it bloom?
Indoor orchid is an exotic and delicate plant that can surprise many with its flowering. However, she can not always give her flowers. One of the most common reasons for this is serious care mistakes, due to which the plant not only does not bloom for a long time, but also often dies. Let us consider in detail the main reasons for the lack of flowering in orchids, and also tell you how to deal with this problem.
Basic requirements for orchids
Just a couple of decades ago, orchid cultivation on window sills was considered the dream of most gardeners, and today this plant is included in the list of some of the most popular indoor plants. However, growing it at home is not so simple - this species is quite demanding on the conditions of detention, including during flowering.
The basic requirements of the flower for the conditions of detention are presented in the table:
| Temperature | In the summertime - about +20 ° С, in winter - not lower than +17 ° С. In this case, the difference between day and night temperature should not exceed 2-3 ° C. |
| Lighting | The plant needs bright, diffused light. The daylight hours should be between 10-15 hours a day. |
| Watering | The flower requires well-moistened soil. In summer, the plant needs to be watered daily in small portions, and in winter - no more than 1 time in 2-3 days. |
| Air humidity | In the range of 80–90%. Leaves require periodic spraying. |
| Substrate | Must have high porosity and fertility. A mixture of wood bark, sawdust, dry moss or fern roots, coconut copra and vermiculite (all components in equal parts) is best suited for these purposes. |
| Additional support | The flower needs an artificial support made of wire or a wooden skewer. They tie the plant to the support with the help of a dense rope-string slightly above the center of the stem. |
Features of the flowering period
The life cycle of any plant can be divided into several stages, among which flowering is the most important. In nature, this process arose in order to obtain seeds from which a new plant will grow in the next season. That is why plants are often prepared for flowering throughout the entire vegetative period. And each grower must know exactly the features of the biological rhythms of his wards. Did you know? Orchid is one of the oldest plants on the planet. Her ancestors appeared in the Mesozoic era - about 145 million years ago. The most common mistake made by beginning gardeners is to prepare for the flowering of orchids shortly after acquisition. Despite the fact that the plant develops fast enough, in order for flowers to appear on young shoots, it will take at least 2 years after rooting the seedlings. This is due to the rather slow growth and physiological characteristics of orchids.
The main condition for the full flowering of an orchid, like any plant, is the correct formation of peduncles. And if at this time the flower is in a depressed state or lacks nutrients in the soil, then inferior flower stalks with various pathologies will probably grow on it. Therefore, if the orchid released a similar flower stalk, this can lead to further problems in the formation of flowers.
Important! During the formation of peduncles for successful flowering, the plant requires high-quality mineral fertilizing with mixtures based on potassium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrates (Bona Forte, Zdraven, Florizel).
One of the most common questions among beginner gardeners is the flowering period. Under optimal conditions, the duration of this period is usually about 3 months. However, often this process is affected by the conditions of detention, water quality and the frequency of top dressing. In addition, the flowering of an orchid is closely dependent on its variety. There are all kinds of plants on the market today, which are capable of producing flowers both once every 2 years, and several times a year.
Why the orchid does not bloom at home
Orchid bloom problems can occur for a number of reasons. This species blooms only under optimal conditions, with strict observance of all requirements. However, often even with an ideal microclimate, an orchid not only refuses to bloom, but generally grows poorly. In this case, the flower may slowly fade and dry up irretrievably after a year.
Read also what should be the soil for orchids.
Natural causes
Often during the absence of flowers for a long time, it is believed that the plant has undergone any disease or serious pathology. However, the situation with orchids is different. It can be quite healthy, but at the same time not give peduncles and full-fledged flowers. This behavior of the species is most often associated with its physiological characteristics, in connection with which individual varieties require up to 3 months to fully prepare for flowering.
Quite often, in the temperate and northern climatic zones, flowering plants fall in early spring. At this time, there is an activation of metabolism, as well as cell division. And although at this time orchids let out new leaves and significantly increase in size over a short period, the development of full-fledged buds is still not observed. This is explained by the fact that due to the increased metabolism, the plant does not have forces to form a flower, and in this case it is not necessary to talk about any pathologies.
Important! If the lack of flowering is a consequence of natural causes, then the orchid does not need additional intervention .
Improper care
Various errors in the content of orchids are considered the most common reasons for the lack of flowering. The first thing you should pay attention to when growing a flower is lighting and microclimate. The flowerpot needs to be kept on a window sill with moderate and diffused light. Excessively intense lighting or partial shade inhibits the growth of the flower, and with it its ability to give buds.
Also, flowering depends on temperature: it must be within +20 ° C. Both cold and hot air inhibit the orchid itself and its reproductive ability. Often after 2-3 successful flowering cycles, the plant sharply refuses to give young buds. This may be due to the old substrate or violation of the transplant regime, as a result of which the flower may fall into suspended animation.
Irrigation
Among the possible reasons for the lack of flowers on the orchid, the top reasons include non-compliance with the optimal watering regime. This is due to the fact that in the natural habitat of these plants there are alternating periods of torrential rains and droughts, to which the flowers have adapted and become accustomed.
Long rains prevent the plant from pollinating on its own, and at this time the orchid does not produce peduncles. Therefore, if the substrate is periodically oversaturated with moisture, the flower develops a natural reaction to excess moisture, due to which the filling of the buds is delayed until a more favorable period.
Also learn about the diseases and pests of Phalaenopsis orchids.
Incorrect fertilizer application
Today, all fertilizers for cultivated plant species are divided into 2 main groups: provoking flowering and affecting the increase in above-ground mass. The first group of substances includes all kinds of mixtures based on phosphorus and magnesium, and the second includes concentrated nitrogen compounds. Both types of fertilizers are important for plants, but they should be alternated in a certain sequence.
With incorrect alternation of dressings in the substrate, an excess of nitrogenous compounds is observed, due to which orchids direct all forces to the formation of the stem and foliage. In this case, the growth of buds and peduncles slows down. Therefore, fertilizing the flower with nitrogen should only be done between flowering periods, and the rest of the time, only complex potassium phosphate mixtures should be added to the substrate.
Important! During intensive flowering, it is forbidden to feed an orchid: feeding during this period inhibits the development of new flowers, and also reduces the duration of flowering.
Diseases and Pests
When affected by pests or various infections, the orchid is exposed not only to the parasitic organism, but also to its toxic secretions. This causes a decrease in her immunity, as she throws all her strength into protecting herself from the disease. If in the case of an insect attack, a flower with the participation of a person manages to overcome the pest safely, then fungal and bacterial lesions cause quite serious problems requiring long-term treatment.
Fungi and bacteria contribute to the destruction of leaf and stem tissues, which causes local putrefactive lesions of tissues, including the root system. This often requires a long recovery period, even after a complete victory over the infection. In addition, with the untimely elimination of infection, the flower can completely fade and die.
What to do and how to make an orchid blossom
Restoring orchid blooms is not easy. The first thing to do is to optimize the conditions for the content of the flower, including the water regime and the number of top dressings, and also carefully examine the plant for all kinds of infections and the presence of parasites. If a healthy plant still does not produce flowers, it can be stimulated.
Video: how to make an orchid blossom
To do this, use the following methods:
- Feed the flowerpots with succinic acid : twice, with a frequency of 14-21 days, pour the flowerpots with a solution of succinic acid, based on 1 g per 5 l. In addition, moisten the foliage and stem with a wet sponge with a solution.
- Fertilize the orchid with the Epin-Extra preparation : dilute it at the rate of 1 ml per 5 liters of water, and then use it once a week to water the substrate.
- Arrange an imitation of the rainy season : for 3 days, pour the pot abundantly with warm water, and then leave the orchid without water for 2 weeks. This will give an impetus to the release of arrows, which will soon appear young buds.
- Shade a flower : place the flowerpot in a dark place for 5 days, and after that after 3 weeks flower stalks will probably grow on the flower.
Did you know? Orchids are considered leaders in seed productivity: during the growing season, 4 million seeds ripen on an adult plant.
How to prevent care mistakes
Avoiding problems with flowering orchids is quite simple.
To do this, you just need to adhere to a number of recommendations:
- provide the flower with proper lighting and daylight for at least 10 hours a day;
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature at the site of the plant;
- create a uniform regime of moistening the soil and air;
- Avoid over-feeding the plant with nitrogen;
- periodically inspect the flower for pests and infectious lesions;
- at least 2-3 times a year, treat the orchid with active remedies (Phytosporin, Quadrice, Apollo, Sunmayt, Vermitek, copper sulfate solution).
An orchid is a rather tender and whimsical flower, therefore, problems with its flowering occur quite often. The main reasons for the lack of buds are non-compliance with the general principles of care, as well as an improper microclimate during maintenance. Therefore, every self-respecting flower grower must always give the plant proper attention and care, since neglect of care can lead to oppression of the orchid and even to its death.
