Orchids, part 2

I've learned how to water my orchid and the growing conditions it likes, so I'm hoping it will continue to bloom for a good long time.  An orchid blossom can last for anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks, so they are a great plant for long term beauty.  But, what should I do after the last orchid blossom falls?

As long as the flower stem is green, it should be left alone, at least for awhile, as it may develop new buds along the ends of that same stem.  If it's been several weeks and there is still no sign of buds but the stem remains green, you can trim the stem back to a node.  A node is that little swollen area that occurs periodically along the stem.  Cutting back to just above a node may stimulate bud production.

If the stem turns brown or dry, it should be cut back to one inch from the base of the plant.  A dry or brown stem will not produce new flowers and leaving it on the orchid is unsightly, and may keep the plant from putting energy into new growth.

Orchids do require fertilizing to do their best.  After flowering, orchids should be fertilized with a half strength 20-20-20 fertilizer at least once or twice per month.  The fertilizer should be mixed in water and poured into the pot until the fertilizer solution runs from the drainage holes in the pot.  You'll need to skip the ice cubes on the weeks you fertilize and just use the fertilizer solution instead.  The pot should be placed in a sink or other location where the excess fertlizer solution can drain freely away from the roots, as you don't want any standing fertilizer water in the drainage tray.

Tomorrow we'll talk about getting an orchid to re-bloom.