Overall, the most common reason that orchids fail to bloom is insufficient light. The Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum orchids are usually happy with the filtered light on a windowsill but many other varieties need more light than that.
One question we ran across in our research was “Why aren’t my orchids blooming?”.
Overwatering is most often the cause of orchids’ failure to bloom. Just like humans, orchids need oxygen to survive. Excess water displaces oxygen in the potting media, starving roots and suppressing blooms.
Why are my orchid flowers dying before they open?
Wrong Light/Heat Causes Orchid Bud Blastexcess heat that comes with the light. Too much light can cause the fragile orchid bud to “cook” inside its protective covering, which later falls off. Is not enough light. Sometimes the orchid will send out a flower spike, produce small buds, even when lighting is poor. Recreate those conditions, and three-fourths of the cases, the bud will never form in addition are a couple additional items to investigate.
Orchids are very sensitive to pollutants. Chemical cleaners, smoke from cigarettes or cigars, fumes from painting, fireplaces and engine exhaust can lead to orchid bud drop. Even the ethylene gas given off from ripening fruit can affect an orchid. Fumes or drift from herbicides, pesticides and fungicides can also lead an orchid to drop buds in.
How to force an orchid to bloom?
Part 3 Part 3 of 3: Triggering Rebloom. Wait until the fall or early winter. Orchids naturally start reblooming in cooler weather, so the fall or early winter is the perfect time. Move the orchid to a cooler place. Experiencing cooler temperatures tells the orchid that it’s time to rebloom. Return to your regular watering and fertilizing schedule, and look for signs of reblooming are a couple extra items to keep in mind.
My favorite answer was return to your regular watering and fertilizing schedule. There is no concrete rule on watering orchids, and it’s very easy to over-water the plants. The American Orchid Society recommends only watering when the soil has dried out. Water by placing your plant in the sink and running the water for about a minute. You should fertilize your orchid about every 2 weeks.