Many plant enthusiasts are curious about when butterfly orchids bloom in winter. Will they bloom again after the flowers fade? Today, I'll share the blooming schedule and tips for re-blooming, so even beginners can easily handle it!
When do butterfly orchids bloom?
The natural blooming period of butterfly orchids is quite impressive: it mainly occurs from winter to spring (October to April of the following year), spanning autumn, winter, and spring. You can enjoy flowers even during the cold weather! A single blooming period usually lasts for 2-3 months, but how long it lasts depends on the variety, temperature, and care!
What causes differences in blooming duration?
Variety Differences: Large flowers last longer, while small flowers are more delicate.
Large varieties (e.g., ‘Mantianhong’): With thick petals, they bloom for over 3 months, making them perfect for long-term enjoyment.
Small varieties (e.g., ‘Panda’): These smaller flowers are dainty and bloom for about 4-6 weeks, known for their dense, cute blooms.
Temperature Control: 15-20°C is the golden range for maintaining flowers.
Keeping the temperature between 15-20°C can slow down metabolism, thus prolonging the blooming period.
Temperatures above 28°C cause the petals to age and wilt, while temperatures below 10°C can freeze the buds, so controlling the temperature is crucial!
How to encourage re-blooming?
Post-bloom Pruning:
After the flowers fade, leave 2-3 healthy nodes (with strong buds) on the flower spike. Cut about 1-2 cm above these nodes, and avoid cutting too much to preserve the plant’s energy.
Temperature Difference Stimulation:
Keep the temperature between 20-25°C during the day and 15-18°C at night, maintaining a 5-10°C temperature difference for 4-6 weeks. This helps stimulate flower bud differentiation.
Nutrient Support:
After blooming, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (like potassium dihydrogen phosphate) 1-2 months after the flowers fade, once a week with diluted fertilizer.
During the autumn and winter low temperatures (below 15°C), reduce fertilizing to prevent root rot.
Tips for re-blooming:
Don’t repot immediately after blooming. Wait 1-2 months for the roots to recover before repotting.
Don’t water too frequently. Water when the soil is dry to avoid root rot.
Ensure 2-3 hours of indirect light daily. Lack of light will make it hard to trigger flower bud development.
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