How to Tell If an Orchid Is Going to Bloom

Watch the center of the orchid where all of the green leaves emerge from. When the orchid is getting ready to bloom, it sends up a thin, central stalk in the center of these leaves. When the stem grows taller than the leaves, flowers typically appear soon thereafter.

Place a thermometer near the orchids and monitor the daytime and nighttime temperatures regularly. When there is at least a 7 to 10 degree difference between the day and night temperatures, the orchid plant is about to induce blooming.

Examine the stems of orchids that have already bloomed once to see if there are tiny lines on them, which are called nodes. If nodes are apparent, then the orchid plant is getting ready to bloom a second time. Only the phalaenopsis orchid species develops nodes and blooms more than once in a single growing season. All other orchid varieties produce blooms only once on the stalk. Cut the top of the stem back to 1/4 inch above the node with hand pruners and wait three to four months for a new bloom to appear.