The orchid (Phalaenopsis) has finished blooming - what to do next?

Phalaenopsis is one of the most common and low-maintenance orchid species. Typically, flower shops purchase specimens that are already in bloom. They continue to delight the eye with their luxurious blooms for a long time.

But then the orchid may fade, which often leads to it being discarded because it loses its attractive appearance. Don't do this. The Phalaenopsis orchid is a perennial plant. With proper care at home, it will definitely continue to bloom.

Dormant period – care features

Once the phalaenopsis has finished blooming, it should be given a rest period. In fact, the flower doesn't really need this, as in its natural environment, it grows in locations with virtually identical climatic conditions throughout the year. However, this rest will allow the new flower stalks to form more quickly and will promote intense flowering in the future. For this reason, it's recommended to give the orchid a rest before the next bloom.

During this period, the plant does not need feeding. Furthermore, it should not be watered for about a month. It is advisable to lower the temperature to 18°C. After this, watering is resumed, and the temperature is increased to 25°C. Typically, after the artificial drought ends, the plant will form a new stalk.

What to do with the flower stalk

Once all the flowers have fallen, inspect the flower stalk. If it's completely yellow or dried out, there's no point in leaving it. In this case, trim it off completely. Then, after the dormant period ends, a new flower stalk will form.

Pruning the flower stalk

If the stem is completely dry or yellowed, remove it. Don't try to pull it out, as this could damage the plant. Also, avoid cutting too close to the leaves. The remaining stump should be at least 2 cm high.

The stem is cut with well-sharpened scissors or small pruning shears. No finishing is required on the cut.

If only the tip of the flower stalk dries out, cut it back to the living tissue. You can even leave a couple of centimeters above the dried area. This is done to avoid damaging the living tissue and causing further death.

My Phalaenopsis orchid has finished blooming. What should I do with the stem?

After an orchid has finished blooming, if the stalk remains green, you don't need to cut it off. There's a chance that a flower stalk with buds will eventually grow from its top, although this isn't always the case. Often, it simply dries up. If the stalk remains green, but its tip has turned yellow, brown, or dried out, it should be cut off.

Once the top is trimmed, dormant buds may begin to sprout. This occurs approximately three months after flowering ends, sometimes earlier. However, this doesn't always happen. Sometimes, the cut flower stalk will stand for a while and then dry out. Therefore, if you want your phalaenopsis to bloom sooner, you should remove the old flower stalks.

How the phalaenopsis orchid fades

Once a phalaenopsis has finished blooming, it will be left with a bare flower stalk. There are several possible scenarios:

• The flower stalk will begin to bloom and form new buds.
• Children will appear.
• The flower stalk will dry out.

To determine whether a flower stalk will continue to grow, pay attention to its bud-like tip. New shoots can form from it, but only if it remains green. If it dries up, there will be no growth. Flower stalks can begin to grow from other sources, not just the tip.

Below the fallen flowers, a number of dormant buds typically form, which can also begin to grow under favorable conditions. These buds sometimes promote the formation of new flower stalks or offshoots. Lateral stems often develop from these buds. This orchid species rarely produces offshoots. To obtain young plants, growth-promoting treatments are necessary.

How to care for a Phalaenopsis orchid after flowering

Once the dormant period is over, you need to provide the flower with proper care, which includes the following points:

• Watering. Water the Phalaenopsis by immersing the pot in water for 20 minutes. During the fall and spring months, water the orchid once a week, every two weeks in the winter, and twice a week in the summer. Use only warm, soft water.
• Temperature. The optimal temperature for orchids is considered to be between 25 and 30°C during the warm season, and between 20 and 25°C during the cold season. If the thermometer drops below 12°C, the flower will quickly die.
• Lighting. Direct sunlight should be diffused. Exposure to direct sunlight can cause leaf burn.
• Humidity. For the plant to thrive, it needs to be kept at a fairly high humidity level. This can be achieved by misting the plant daily with a spray bottle. Avoid allowing water to accumulate in the leaf axils, as this can cause the orchid to rot and die.
• Fertilizing. It is recommended to fertilize Phalaenopsis once a month using a fertilizer specifically designed for this type of indoor plant. When applying fertilizer, strictly follow the instructions.

Repotting an orchid after flowering

The best time to repot a Phalaenopsis orchid is after flowering has finished. It's important to note that this should only be done when absolutely necessary. The plant needs repotting in the following cases:

• Deterioration of the substrate condition.
• Not enough space for roots in the pot.
• Diseases or rot of the rhizome.

Before replanting a plant, you need to select an appropriate pot that will provide ample space for the roots.

Preparing soil for flower transplantation

The easiest way is to purchase prepared soil from a flower shop. Preparing the soil yourself is also not difficult; the key is to select the right ingredients.

The set of ingredients for the substrate is as follows:

• tree bark;
• sphagnum;
• peat;
• humus.

To this list you can add perlite, expanded clay, pine cones, and polystyrene.

To avoid harming the plant, it's important to prepare the ingredients properly. The bark must be dried. Expanded clay is needed for drainage, so it should be in crushed rock form. The bark and peat should be crushed into small chips. Soak the sphagnum moss in water for 24 hours to kill insects. Then steam and dry the ingredients.

Orchid replanting

Once the soil is prepared, you can begin planting. Carefully remove the plant from the pot and shake the soil from the roots. Rinse the root system in warm water and inspect it. Trim away any rotted roots down to untouched tissue. Treating the cut with an antiseptic, such as crushed charcoal, can be helpful.

The transplant itself is carried out as follows:

1. The new pot should be partially (approximately one third) filled with prepared soil, and drainage should be installed - foam, granite, and expanded clay are suitable for these purposes.
2. Place the roots and carefully sprinkle the substrate on both the outside and inside. Place a piece of foam under the base to prevent overwatering.
3. Gently press down on the roots and cover with soil. Be sure to keep the aerial roots above the surface.

Reviews

Flower lovers leave numerous positive reviews about the Phalaenopsis orchid. Although caring for it may seem rather labor-intensive and challenging, if you follow certain guidelines, even a beginner can handle all the work. Even after the orchid has finished blooming, the necessary tasks—cutting the stem, repotting, and ensuring a dormant period—are performed without much difficulty.