What Do Orchids Need to Bloom?

Light

• As with other flowering plants, orchids need sunlight to bloom. Lack of light is the most common reason why orchids don't bloom. Ensure your orchids are positioned to receive southern exposure, rather than northern or eastern exposure. Some types of orchids need more sunlight than others to bloom. For example, cattleyas and dendrobiums need bright, direct light, while moth orchids can thrive in indirect light, such as from a skylight.

Water

• Many orchids grow naturally in the rainforest, so it's difficult to overwater your orchid plant. According to Orchids.com, you need to water orchids potted in bark once or twice a week. If your orchid is planted in moss, it will usually need less water and only require a watering once every seven to 10 days. Even if your particular type of orchid seems to produce more blooms when it's constantly moist, never leave it in standing water, as this may pose a risk for a fungal or bacterial disease.

Air

• All flowering plants need air to survive, and the temperature of your orchid's growing environment affects its blooming capabilities. Most orchids need daytime temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees F and nighttime temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees F. You may be able to stimulate blooms faster if you control their growing temperature. When the variation between daytime and nighttime temperatures is around 8 to 10 degrees different, orchids tend to produce blooms more regularly. Some orchids actually prefer the cooler, springtime evening temperatures. This group includes Odontoglossums and the popular Cymbidiums.

Fertilizer

• In their natural environment, most varieties of orchids grow on trees, rather than directly in the ground. They thrive by getting nutrients from the trees, rain and wind. When you grow an orchid as a houseplant, in a pot with bark or moss, you need to provide it additional nutrition to bloom well. Use a weak or orchid-specific fertilizer every other week for best results.