Not so long ago, orchids were regarded as rare and exotic. But these days, thanks to new propagation techniques, certain varieties are mass-produced. Moth orchids, gorgeous but common, with sweet patterned faces, are widely sold by supermarkets and other retailers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, orchids are now \u201cthe most popular blooming florist crop in the world,\u201d says Marc Hachadourian, senior orchid curator at the New York Botanical Garden. \u201cNot only are they beautiful, now bred in a rainbow of colors and patterns, they are ideal for the home and the blooms are long lasting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, orchid flowers can last for weeks. With so many of us stuck at home these days, they offer an easy, inexpensive way to brighten up a room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the flowers die, it might be tempting to toss the plant. But you can get that $10 orchid to bloom again. In fact, coaxing an orchid to rebloom is a great pandemic project. There\u2019s just one catch: The pandemic might be over by the time you succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost of the orchids available for purchase bloom once a year,\u201d said Blanche Wagner, orchid curator at the Missouri Botanical Garden, which has a world-renowned orchid collection that dates to the late 19th century. \u201cIt takes an amazing amount of energy to produce their blooms, and they need a full year to build up enough energy to flower again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She suggests putting a date-of-purchase tag on your orchids to keep your timetable for reblooming realistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And don\u2019t neglect them just because they\u2019re not in bloom. After the flowers die \u201cis the most important time to care for your plants, making sure they get the best available light, water, and fertilizer to make sure they grow their best before flowering again,\u201d said Hachadourian, author of \u201cOrchid Modern: Living and Designing with the World\u2019s Most Elegant Houseplants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Orchids grow wild in rainforests, so they prefer warm, humid environments. Morning sun is best, says Kenya Friend-Daniel, speaking on behalf of the plants and flowers team at Trader Joe\u2019s, which sells orchids. But avoid direct sunlight, which \u201ccan sunburn the plants\u2019 leaves and burn the bloom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watering orchids just right is tricky. Spraying the roots daily with a spray bottle is the best technique, Friend-Daniel said. Alternatively, provide a half-cup of water once a week for plants potted in bark, and a quarter-cup once a week for plants in moss. In warmer months, water every four to five days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never let the roots sit in water, because they will rot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost failures with orchids are because of overwatering,\u201d said Hachadourian. \u201cIf the plants are potted in moss, allow it to dry slightly between watering. Depending on your conditions, a small amount of water once or twice a week is sufficient to keep the plant moist without being overly wet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some orchid lovers swear by giving their plants nothing more than an ice cube or two weekly, but Hachadourian says that doesn\u2019t provide enough water for long-term growth. He says tepid water is better for them in any case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also fertilize, but sparingly. Too much can kill the roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the first flowers are gone, Friend-Daniel\u2019s team advises cutting the stem off to the base, removing the growing medium (moss or bark), and transplanting the plant to a slightly larger pot filled with fresh bark or sphagnum moss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNew growth should start coming from the middle of the plant within three to four months,\u201d Friend-Daniel said. It will take seven months total to produce a flower spike, and 12 months for a fully bloomed spike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ideal temperature while awaiting new growth is 85 degrees; once there\u2019s new foliage, 70 to 75 degrees. Too complicated? \u201cNo one said it was easy,\u201d Friend-Daniel said. \u201cIt\u2019s work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do get new flowers, you may be in for a surprise. Some growers inject dye into orchid stems to get them blooming bright blue, yellow, orange or green. Those dyed orchids rebloom white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever color your new blooms are, Hachadourian says the \u201ctake-home message\u201d is a good one: \u201cPeople are reblooming their orchids more than once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n