how to make an orchid grow a new spike

Fortunately or sadly, in our time, not only traditional Phalaenopsis appeared in stores, but also many other tropical beauties.

Sellers, as a rule, are far from specialists in the care of orchids and are unlikely to be able to give practical advice on how to make an orchid grow a new spike to achieve flowering in the future.

In different types of orchids, the conditions for the formation of flower buds and orchid spike differ in many factors. For some, this is bright sunlight, for others – strict observance of the dormant period, for others large temperature differences day/night. For most, it is a combination of all these factors.

Attention! Regular flowering is an indicator of a healthy plant kept in ideal conditions.

how to make an orchid grow a new spike

Factors affecting Orchid to bloom and grow new spike

Sooner or later the plant fades and does not always begin to bloom again. So why does the tropical beauty refuse to bloom:

  1. The plant has been overfed. In order to sell the orchid faster, farms use fertilizers and stimulants that cause flowering. At home, there is no such possibility due to the lack of these drugs in the free market. But even if they were, their constant use will lead in the future to the death of the flower; Uncontrolled feeding can lead to the death of the orchid.
  2. Flower content does not meet optimal conditions. For each orchid tribe, there are certain conditions under which plants develop well and bloom. First of all, this is due to their growing environment in their homeland. Orchids can partially adapt to the conditions of the apartment, but there is a limit to everything;
  3. The orchid has not reached the age of flowering. Recently, when traveling abroad, not only to tropical countries, people are tempted by the luxurious flowering of tropical beauties, they buy, they bring home, sometimes not always legally. If the flowers are in a flask, it is clear that there is no point in waiting for flowering next year. In the event that the plant is quite mature in appearance, this does not mean that it has reached the age of flowering. Moreover, he needs to adapt to new conditions;
  4. The plant is affected by pests or sick. And this is the saddest thing. Therefore, when bringing a new resident to an apartment, it must be treated without fail with insecticide and fungicide;
  5. The owner does not know under what conditions this type of orchid blooms.

Check out Growing Orchids Without Medium.

How To Make An Orchid Grow A New Spike?

Your orchid does not give a Spike what to do? First, you need to decide on the species of orchid.

Make Phalaenopsis Orchid Grow New Spike

Let’s start with the most common type. If Phalaenopsis has reached flowering age and is not overfed on the farm, then it will be quite enough for him:

  • content on the east or southeast window sill;
  • temperature difference 6-8 degrees;
  • watering once a week.

In the event that the orchid continues to persist in its unwillingness to release the Spike, you can push it to this:

  1. Do not water for 2 weeks;
  2. Then place in a dark place – a closet or box;
  3. After a week, get it, water it abundantly with fertilizer, in which phosphorus and potassium predominate, put it in a moderate sun, not forgetting the day/night temperature difference.

After 2-3 weeks, a healthy, mature plant will release a flower spike. This method is based on the fact that Phalaenopsis placed in extreme conditions will want to give offspring through seed propagation.

Important! No need to try to stimulate flowering if, after the previous orchid, a couple of leaves have not grown.

Make Cumbria Orchid Grow New Spike

When buying, keep in mind that for successful growth, this type of orchid must have at least two pseudobulbs. Cambria, like Phalaenopsis, does not require any special conditions, except for high humidity around it.

Pay attention to the number of pseudobulbs in Cumbria.

The main thing to know is that this type of orchid does not bloom several times from an old pseudobulb. In order to form a Spike, Cumbria needs to grow a new full-fledged tuber.

After that, the plant is placed in a cooler place to provide a greater temperature difference between day and night, they practically stop watering. Watering is done only when the young pseudobulb begins to wrinkle a little.

If instead of a Spike a new sprout appeared from the covering leaves, then Cumbria needs to increase its mass for flowering. Or, at worst, containment breaches.

dendrobiums Orchid Grow A New Spike

Here you need to know that different factors influence the flowering of Dendrobium Nobile and Dendrobium Phalaenopsis.

Nobile

This type of Dendrobium can bloom from an old pseudobulb. But it will bloom more abundantly and more readily from a young tuber.

First of all, it is necessary not to miss the moment when the young pseudobulb is fully ripe. The signal for this is the growth and opening of the leaf at the top of the tuber.

From the side, the top of the pseudobulb seems to be dressed in a skullcap, and from there the last leaf grows. Already at the stage of growth of the final leaf, the Dendrobium is watered less frequently.

For the formation of flower stalks, Dendrobium-Nobile is placed in a very bright and cool place, practically eliminating watering. The substrate in which the flower grows must remain dry for at least 5 days between waterings. The temperature should not exceed 10-12 degrees.

If this regime is violated, children will appear instead of flower stalks. In any case, the orchid is placed in warmer conditions and watered in the usual way.

Dendrobium Phalaenopsis

This type of Dendrobium never produces flower stalks on an old pseudobulb. Therefore, in order for an orchid to flourish, it needs to grow a new tuber.

The Spike begins to grow almost immediately after the young pseudobulb matures.

Spike on Dendrobium-Phalaenopsis.

Important! Flowering will begin only if the optimal conditions are met: temperature, lighting, humidity, watering.

Make Vanda Orchid Grow A New Spike

To be afraid to buy this tropical beauty:

  • expensive pleasure;
  • there is an opinion that it does not bloom at home.

At the same time, Vanda is the most accommodating orchid, requiring no “dancing with tambourines” to release a Spike.

The most important thing for Vanda orchid is a lot of sun and water. This plant is very photophilous, but it must be protected from direct sunlight, as the orchid can get burned.

When kept with an open root system, Vanda requires daily watering or spraying the roots until the roots turn green.

Make cymbidium Orchid Grow A New Spike

But with this handsome man, to see his gorgeous flowers, you have to tinker. The reason is that the natural Cymbidium species used for hybridization grow at an altitude of 1500-2000 meters above sea level. In winter, there is a lot of bright suns, no rain, and very cool.

It is for this reason that in order for the Cymbidium to release the arrow of the Spike, it is necessary to arrange wintering for it on the brightest and coolest window, water only when the substrate is completely dry and stays dry for several days.

Achieving flowering Cymbidium is quite difficult.

Advice! In early July, pour Cymbidium with slightly acidified water.

Currently, many varieties of Cymbidiums have been bred that do not require such harsh wintering conditions. But on the other hand, their flowers are not as beautiful and numerous as those of the “cold” varieties.

Make Cattleya Orchid Grow A New Spike

It is not for nothing that Cattleyas are called queens among orchids: the elegance of lines, colors, beauty and size of flowers are amazing. But in order to see it bloom again, one must understand this flower.

It is believed that it is more difficult to grow natural species. In fact, everything is easier with them, since there is a lot of literature that describes all the original Cattleya tribes, including when and under what conditions they bloom.

It is more difficult with hybrids, of which there are now a great many. It is not always possible to establish what species are mixed there, especially if the name of Cattleya is unknown. In this case, you will have to experiment.

However, there are common small secrets of what to do to make the orchid start the Spike:

  1. When the sprout reaches 2/3 the size of an adult pseudobulb, the orchid should be watered less often, that is, the substrate should remain completely dry for 5-7 days between waterings;
  2. Night temperature should not exceed +24 degrees ;
  3. It is desirable to increase the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures to 10-12 degrees;
  4. The length of daylight hours should be maintained at 10-12 hours ;
  5. Since Cattleyas are very photophilous, they need sunbathing before 12-00 or after 15-00.

All these measures are carried out until a bud appears in the case. Gradually increase the frequency of watering and bring it to regular. If, under the above conditions, the bud did not appear, try reducing the length of daylight hours by 2-4 hours.

In case of futility of all efforts, care for Cattleya comes down to rare watering without top dressing. It is possible that it will bloom in the spring, after a dormant period. If this did not happen, the orchid did not have enough sunlight.

The use of stimulants

It is possible, but undesirable, to use the ointment for the growth of Spike at home. Strong stimulants weaken the plant itself, which can lead to diseases or damage to the flower by various pests.

An adult, healthy plant, kept under the most favorable conditions in compliance with all recommendations, is able to bloom beautifully itself. The maximum that an orchid owner can afford is to feed the plant with fertilizer with a high content of phosphorus and potassium.

It is scary to imagine what will happen if an inexperienced orchid owner starts smearing all meristematic buds with cytokinin paste, achieving the awakening of the Spike. Achieving a positive result, that is, the growth of a flower-bearing arrow can be estimated 50/50. Not observing the conditions under which the Spike is laid, a baby will appear from the meristem bud.

Try to do this on the Phalaenopsis Spike, as all other orchid species utilize their spent Spikes.

Conditions for abundant flowering and spike

Sympodial orchids for re-blooming must grow a new pseudobulb only Dendrobium Nobile can bloom with the old one.

Attention! Sympodial orchids can only produce a Spike from a young tuber. Cattleyas, and Dendrobium-Phalaenopsis produce one flower arrow each, Cumbria and Cymbidiums, under optimal conditions, two each.

The number of Spikes in monopodial orchids depends on how many leaves the plant has grown after flowering. Only one Spike develops from the axil of the leaf, no flower arrow is formed there again.

It happens that an orchid releases a Spike, but does not bloom. The main reason is insufficient lighting. With a long violation of the light regime, the orchid will simply dry the flower arrow.

Damage to the Spike in sympodial orchids will lead to the fact that it will be possible to admire the flowers only a year after the young tuber has matured.

The same thing with monopodial orchids is not so critical:

  • Vanda may produce a new Spike from another, not yet flowering, leaf axil;
  • Phalaenopsis produces a lateral flower arrow from a meristem bud left on a fragment of a Spike, or may do the same as Vanda.

To grow a flower-bearing arrow, all orchids, without exception, need, first of all, optimal conditions of detention:

  • good lighting, best of all sunny;
  • daylight hours at least 10-12 hours;
  • observance of a rest period, if required;
  • night temperature no more than +24 degrees;
  • temperature difference day/night, different for each species;
  • regular watering;
  • increasing humidity and ventilation at temperatures above +35 degrees.

Proper watering is a necessary condition for orchid flowering.

Conclusion

Often, inexperienced flower growers ask: “And if the orchid does not release a flower spike and how to make an orchid grow a new spike, what should I do?”. We answer in compliance with simple rules of care, the flower arrow will definitely show its head, and no stimulants are required.

I am an avid plant enthusiast and horticulture aficionado with a deep passion for houseplants. With years of nurturing green companions, my expertise in caring for indoor foliage is well-rooted. Through my journey, I've cultivated insights into optimal plant care, propagation techniques, and creating vibrant indoor ecosystems. Join me as we explore the verdant world of houseplants together. Let's turn your living space into a thriving oasis of botanical beauty. Connect with me on admin@houseplantspro.com and Facebook and explore more at Houseplantspro. 🌿🪴