How Long Do Orchids Bloom (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 6 – 8 Weeks

Orchids, having the scientific name Orchidaceae, are flowering plants with fragrant and colorful blooms. Orchids are special as their flowers are monosymmetrical meaning both halves of the flower are the mirror images of each other. However, as they grow only in certain places, they are difficult to find and hence, expensive.

Orchids are rare and extremely gorgeous. These plants can last up to 100 years. Thus, orchid flowers are considered to be of high quality and hence, are used to make occasions special. Orchids are so popular among people as it not only serves as an exotic decor element but is also known for their stress-relieving capabilities as orchid flowers promote a calming environment.

How Long Do Orchids Bloom?

Orchids can be found in the equatorial tropics, the tundra region in the arctic, and other similar regions. There are various varieties of orchids that grow all across the world. The exotic family of orchids is well known for being one of the largest families of flowering plants to exist on Earth.

Orchids require sufficient sunlight for about 12 to 14 hours of light each day. One might even need to supplement orchids with artificial light to keep them happy on days where there is not much sunlight like in the winter months of the year.

Also, these plants require less water than other flowering plants and are known for tolerating drought better than others. Generally, orchids should be watered once a week. Care should be taken to ensure that orchids are not watered in excess. Some of the popular varieties of orchids are Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, etc.

The most common variety of orchids is the phalaenopsis orchids which blooms for 2 – 4 months. The blooming period for Cattleya orchids is 7 – 21 days, for paphiopedilum orchids, it is 6 – 8 weeks. Thus, one can observe that orchid blooms might last for different periods depending on their variety. However, the duration of the blooming period would also get influenced by the condition the orchids are kept in.

Orchid blooms are considered dazzling as they are simply stunning to look at. The average duration for which an orchid bloom is for about 6 – 8 weeks. However, this can vary with each type of orchid. Typically, orchids bloom only once a year, however, if they are kept carefully, these orchids can bloom more than once a year.

Why Do Orchids Bloom For This Long?

As there are so many varieties of orchids, each variety blooms for a different duration, and thus the blooming duration cannot be strictly generalized. Similarly, even the lifespan of the orchid plant depends on its type and variety. However, care that is given to the orchid plant also plays an important role in its well-being.

In a plant’s life cycle, there comes a resting period after the flowering period. Thus, after the orchids are in bloom for 6 – 8 weeks, for the next few months, the plant rests and accumulates energy to rebloom again. Once orchids have bloomed, they would stay dormant for about the next six to nine months.

Some people are of the opinion that once the flowers fall off the orchid plant, the plant dies as it does not bloom again immediately. However, it is crucial to understand that this is just the dormancy phase where they need to take more care of these orchid plants.

To help orchids bloom last longer, one needs to ensure that the temperature is suitable for flowering. Generally, a cool environment provokes the flowering process as it slows the growth and thus, prolongs the flowering time of the plant. Extreme hot or cold conditions are not at all suitable for flowering. Thus, a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius i.e 64 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit, along with adequate sunlight is ideal for growing orchids.

Conclusion

It is essential to remember that orchids bloom well in bright light. However, the light should not be too excessive as it might cause drying of the plant and flower. Likewise, too little light may result in decreased photosynthesis. Thus, it is imperative to keep orchids under appropriate lighting conditions.

The average duration for which orchids bloom is about 6 – 8 weeks. Orchids grow back and rebloom after the flowers fall off. All one needs to do is to take good care of the plant to help it rebloom year after year in its entire lifetime. It is noteworthy to remember that more the light the orchids receive, the longer the blooms last and have greater chances for rebloom.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/016953479290170G
2. https://academic.oup.com/botlinnean/article-abstract/64/2/163/2725800