How to Force an Orchid to Bloom

Out of the more than 20,000 different species in the orchid family, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium and Cattleya are recommended for growing in the home due to their adaptability and low maintenance, according to the Clemson University Cooperative Extension. Garden centers and nurseries sell orchids just as they're about to bloom, and these houseplants rarely have problems blooming indoors. However, after a year of consistently warm indoor temperatures, you may have to simulate a seasonal change to get your orchid to bloom again.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Expose the orchid to warm temperatures between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.

   • 2

     Induce blooming by exposing your orchid to cooler temperatures at night. Provide nighttime temperatures that are approximately 10 degrees lower than the daytime temperatures; the ideal nighttime temperatures for orchids are between 60 and 70 F.

   • 3

     Move the orchid to a completely dark room for at least 10 hours each night. Provide complete nighttime darkness for the orchid for approximately four weeks, or until it starts to bloom.