Why Did My Orchid Not Blossom?

Seasonal Blooming

• Being outside of your orchid's blooming season is a very likely cause for the lack of flowers. Many orchids bloom only once or twice a year, although the flowers they produce tend to last for months on end. These orchids and those that blossom a few times a year tend to do so around the same time every year. Only a select few orchids bloom year round.

Temperature Change

• If your orchid is in season and still not blooming, it may be due to the temperature. The vast majority of orchids will not produce new blooms unless they are exposed to a drop in temperature at night while in season. Orchids that are kept indoors tend to live in a climate-controlled setting, meaning they are not getting what they need to bloom. As long as it is not too cold outside, the orchid can be placed outdoors overnight to prompt blooming. If it is still too cold, placing the plant next to a closed window in the evening may be helpful.

Sunlight

• For most varieties of orchids, you can determine whether they are getting the right amount of sunlight by looking at their leaves. If the leaves are a deep, rich green then the plant is not getting enough sun, and therefore it will likely not bloom. When the plant is receiving enough sunlight, the leaves are a light green with a yellow hue. Some orchids prefer dark shade; if existing blossoms or leaves look brittle or brown in color, the orchid is receiving too much sunlight. Moving the orchid into a shaded area will likely prompt blooming.

Fertilizer

• In general, orchids do not require a lot of fertilizer; with a good potting mix, many do quite well without it. However, if your orchid is not blooming, fertilizer can help to prompt the development of flowers. Apply 1/2 the recommended amount of a high-quality orchid fertilizer to the base of the plant directly after watering. The orchid should only be fertilized when actively growing; fertilizing an orchid when it is not in season will not prompt blooming, and could damage the plant.