3 Things To Do with Your Orchid After Blooming

Check out my comprehensive moth orchid care course here: bit.ly/3SalVoW
What do you do with your orchid after all the flowers have died and it is done blooming? You have 3 different options to encourage it to rebloom.
What to know EVERYTHING that you need to know about orchid care? In a super easy format? Check out my eBook that you can read in less than an hour: www.ohiotropics.com/moth-orch...
Orchids are truly very easy to grow once you get used to them.
Be sure to subscribe to my Instagram (@ohiotropics) as well!

[@melissarushing2538]

One of the better orchid videos I've seen, straight to the point advice and I too cut my spikes under the last bloom because it gives you more blooms sooner. Could you do a video on the best fertilizer for an orchid after the blooms have fallen, please? Thanks for sharing n God bless!

[@OhioTropics]

Thanks Melissa! Glad you enjoyed the video. I will do more in the future!

[@laureenfarnam4311]

Now I want an Orchid. You always give such great information and advice.

[@OhioTropics]

Thank you, and you should try one! Don’t be scared!

[@jessica0321]

You have such a friendly and calming demeanor. So lovely. Thank you for the advice!

[@OhioTropics]

Thanks so much :-) Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@marilynkellenberger8141]

Keep up the great teaching us how to take care of the orchids. You are so informative and explain beautiful

[@OhioTropics]

Thanks so much! I'm so glad that you enjoy my videos.

[@kat-tw9fu]

So informative. I have many houseplants but only a couple of orchids and had no idea what to do with them. Thank you!

[@OhioTropics]

You’re very welcome!

[@susanmeska4238]

Thank you for helping me understand what I need to do with my orchids now that some are done blooming.

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@petro3441]

So glad I came upon your Chanel. Thanx for great tips and tricks

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@dinaautore5322]

Absolutely! I do this method after every spike fades.. I’ve had very good luck getting Keiks also sometimes ..

[@kimberlyboudrot-seatter349]

Great and thorough explanations. Will be trying on my Orchid. Thanks.

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@shilohstardust4367]

Thank you for this informative video! its easy to understand and encouraging to me with my orchid baby :)

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome Shiloh!

[@bentaylor3135]

Great video! I’ll have to look up your videos to see if you have one on when it’s best time re-pot orchids.

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed! I do have a couple repotting videos on KZbin. I'm actually launching an orchid care course later this month and it contains a repotting module with a lot of information, among other content. It contains comprehensive information on all aspects of orchid growing and blooming. I will also be creating a lot more orchid content on KZbin soon after the course launches.

[@peggymurphy4915]

Thanks. Easy to understand. Reminds me of care of rose bushes.

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@brandyheckel9721]

Thank you so much for the orchid care video. Really helped.

[@OhioTropics]

So happy that you enjoyed it!

[@tseringdchoephel4453]

Thank you for your kind clear information. That is exactly what I was looking for. 👍🏽🙏🏽

[@OhioTropics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lynnannlafavor5183]

Great information, keep us on your list. Many thanks.

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed! Be sure to subscribe to my channel (it's free) to stay up to date on any new videos.

[@kayBTR]

Just the information I needed? Thank you.

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@elisabethcassels-brown2066]

Thank you! Answered my question precisely and gave me confidence. :-)

[@OhioTropics]

Glad to help! :-)

[@johnlowry302]

A fine job, I enjoyed it so much.

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed it John!

[@potterperson5769]

good information - and presented well!

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@francesrehnquist8846]

i received another orchid for Mothers day. Previous ones have never made it. I decided to challenge myself to keep it alive. So i utubed and found you. i have repotted and am watering 1 time a week per your instructions. its been a month and it looks happy and healthy. Thank you.

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you're having success Frances! :-)

[@laurenszilagyi4716]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@OhioTropics]

Check out my comprehensive moth orchid care course here: bit.ly/3SalVoW

[@evelynelefebvre2705]

Great detailed video

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you liked it Evelyne!

[@lksutherland5430]

Thanks verymuch

[@gilbertcisneros8815]

Very educational, Thank You

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@davidreimer7446]

excellent advise. Thank you.

[@OhioTropics]

😊✌🏻

[@annemac82]

Thankyou. Very good to know. I always pinched the flower off.

[@OhioTropics]

Glad to help!

[@nadinekuiken4731]

When we were newly married, we had greenhouses and, as beautiful as the different genera were, it kept a lot of us in three greenhouses going straight time. At this age,we have a few, they DO grow on you but after ‘many years’, they ‘outgrow’ you. However, we still have a number. Beautiful.

[@OhioTropics]

I just got a greenhouse myself. :-) It's been very enjoyable so far! :-)

[@solangebarretto8105]

You are excellent!!!! Thank you so much.

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed the video :-)

[@jak30341]

great video very informative

[@OhioTropics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brendanoel2318]

I just got this it is beautiful 😍

[@OhioTropics]

Thanks so much!

[@user-ob4qb3in4s]

Thank you that helps a lot

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed the video Babette!

[@archanagoswami5031]

Thank you so much for the very useful tips :-)

[@OhioTropics]

You are so welcome!

[@kerrygibb6023]

Helpful - thank you

[@OhioTropics]

So glad!

[@janetmariemccoll4098]

Thanks very informative

[@OhioTropics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kenkeim9509]

Great video

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed Ken :-)

[@aniskalick5607]

Thanks for the info God bless you

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@davidbazerman3291]

Very helpful

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed it David!

[@BSC29PalmsYG]

Appreciate the info

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@attyboydodom]

Thank God. I was going to throw away😊

[@OhioTropics]

Hahaha, a lot of people do! They treat them as an alternative to cut flowers.

[@mdye8748]

Can you do a video on watering orchids? I’ve seen many different methods and am not sure which works best.

[@OhioTropics]

Hi Makenzie! I have one actually, but I think I will do another. I have more things to say than what was included in my initial video :-).

[@davebell5270]

Thank you

[@OhioTropics]

You've very welcome!

[@francis955]

Thank you for your good info. what is the best time to water the Orchid in a tropical climate country.

[@OhioTropics]

If your conditions are very warm, it'll have to be more frequently. It just all depends on when your potting medium dries out. Phalaenopsis orchids don't like to stay completely dry. It also depends on if you have your orchid growing in bark versus moss.

[@sylviarowlands1883]

Helpful thank you.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@trishfishel558]

Amazing and spot on I received my Phalaenopsis and actually got double my second blooming stage from 5-7 blooms to 15! They have now naturally dropped. Is it recommended to leave in the rather small planter or I have a thing for leaving it in the rather smaller planter

[@OhioTropics]

Now would be a good time to repot if you can! They can survive for quite a few years in the same pot, but will grow better if you go up a pot size if it is pretty root bound in the current pot. Good luck!

[@anggrekbapake5311]

sangat bagus informasinya tentang cara merawat anggrek, salam sehat slalu

[@janecurtis5726]

I would like to see a video about the care of mini Phalaenopsis and how to get them to re-bloom. My understanding is they require somewhat different care than full sized Phals.

[@OhioTropics]

Hi Jane! The care is identical. The only thing to watch out for is since they are in smaller pots, they will dry out more quickly so they will need more frequent watering.

[@janecurtis5726]

@@OhioTropics Thank you!

[@louisfarque4234]

Thank you for the great video! Quick question that I can't seem to find the answer anywhere: I have an orchid that has reached it's second blossom after I have cut the original flower stock (so a new branch/spike grew out of the nod, and has yielded 6 new flowers). But now that the flowers have fallen off, where do I cut? A few nods below the new flowers (would this yield a new branch from the latest branch from the original branch?), or should I cut a nod below from the new branch on the original branch ?

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed the video, and this is a great question! I think you can really do either one. I would look closely at all the nodes on the flower stem. Sometimes you will see a new side spike starting to grow. If you notice this, you'll know exactly where you can trim...just right above where you see the new growth. You won't always see this, but sometimes our orchids will help us in deciding where to trim :-) Hope this helps a bit. If you don't see any, I don't think you can go wrong with either one...although, the growth might be stronger if you trim the original spike, versus the side spike again.

[@aistejokubauskaite9664]

Thank you 😊 love my orchids ,but didnt jnow how to take care of it

[@OhioTropics]

Most welcome 😊

[@raniaahmed8275]

best video about orchids. I bought one 10 days ago with still some buds to bloom but after 4 days notices like white scratches on my purple colored flowers and it was Thrips on it . it distroyed all the flowers and buds . should I change the bark to a new one and cut the flower spikes ?? and how long it take to grow a new spike ? thanks in advance.

[@OhioTropics]

Ah! Thrips are horrible....yes you can do everything you mentioned, but you'll probably want to also treat your plant with a pesticide that's suitable for thrips. They can be very difficult to deal with.

[@spiritandtruthworshippers]

Hi there, thanks for this. What eventually happens to the area of the stalk you cut off? Also, I have an orchid whose one stem seemed to have hollow dried out as it lost its last flower. I didn't know and the whole stalk seemed dry and hollow and dead but the leaves great shape. I cut the stalk off to the bottom. It was it's only stalk. What can I expect may happen and what would you recommend I do to further grow or keep it alive? Pot, feed, tea, bark, compost, water etc. Thanks in advance.

[@OhioTropics]

If the stalk is still green, and you trim it back slightly, it have flush back out with side branches on the flower stalk and continue blooming. I wouldn't worry about the flower stalk that has turned brown. The flower stalks won't last forever. Usually these plants will grow brand new flower spikes from the base of the plant. It typically happens around late Fall or winter time, but sometimes you may get a surprise during other times of the year :-) I'll refer you to my orchid watering blog post below for some more information. You can start there...I hope it helps! www.ohiotropics.com/2021/07/20/how-to-water-orchids/

[@cathyjohnson2079]

Last Fall I trimmed the spike on my Moth Orchid and a few months later a side spike started. It has stopped growing and no flowers or buds appeared at all this summer. Now that it's Fall should I cut the original spike close to the bottom? Two months ago (late summer) a new leaf started to grow so I'm excited about this. The orchid is in sphagnum medium.

[@OhioTropics]

Hm, that's interesting that there are no buds even though it grew a side spike! Sometimes if I don't see anything progressing after a long time, I'll cut the spike either all the way off, or closer to the bottom like you mentioned. Good luck!

[@yogacrowclothing]

Hi thank you for this video. Once my orchid dies am I supposed to continue watering it? My flowers all fell off a few weeks ago and I was told by someone I did not need to continue watering but I am not certain as the bottom leaves look like they are sagging etc

[@OhioTropics]

Yes, you still need to water it year-round. When you noticed your lower leaves were sagging, did you feel your potting mix? This is a very important step, to physically observe the moisture in the mix, because it can be caused by either being too dry or staying too wet. If it is bone dry, give a really good watering. If you let it sit in water for too long in a saucer for example, and it stayed wet when you observed the droopy leaves, it probably suffered from rotting and this can cause droopy lower leaves as well. You'll have to decide that for yourself after you feel the mix. This is SO important. I hope this helps!

[@susankarr6599]

Thanks for the video. Do you continue to water the orchid?

[@OhioTropics]

You’re welcome! Yes, you keep watering as normal.

[@marilynkellenberger8141]

Yes explain the repot of mini phlanopasis

[@OhioTropics]

The process would be identical :-) I have a video on repotting orchids on my channel. I recommend watching that one.

[@margie1012]

Have often do you fertilize them? And can you show how you water your orchids! New subscriber here from Ohio also! Thanks! :)

[@OhioTropics]

Nice to meet a fellow Ohioan! :-). I have an old watering video, but I think I have more to say about them so I will make a new and better video at some point soon :-).

[@margie1012]

Ohio Tropics Awesome!! Thanks in advance and thanks for making these videos! I’m tryna catch up on all your videos! :)

[@terryclark536]

I know very little about orchids. This video was very helpful. My orchid has no blooms at the moment but a new leaf has grown and I can see the beginning of another one. I have not cut the stalks (2) of the original blooms. Should I cut them down close to the base of the plant (it has been months since I've had any blooms). Do new stalks ever develop? I have watched and watched for new ones but haven't see any. Thanks!

[@OhioTropics]

I typically leave them on the plant as long as they are still alive. One day, they may surprise you with new branches on the flower stalk :-) If you're sick of waiting, you can always cut them down to the base. But, you may trim the existing stalks just under where the bottom flower was, and then see if any side branches form. As far as new flowering stalks, they typically will grow one each year if your plant is happy :-).

[@terryclark536]

@@OhioTropics Thank you!

[@kathleenross7412]

Hi new subscriber here I have a question regarding little flying gnats I reported my orchid in new bark and now I have these bugs all over my orchid how do I get rid of them and flowers wilted do I remove them or wait for them to fall off

[@OhioTropics]

You can use those yellow sticky fly traps to capture the adult gnats that are flying around. Keep in mind that fungus gnats thrive in wet conditions, so make sure that you're allowing the top half of the bark mix at least to dry out. This should help greatly. As far as the flowers, you can do either one. There is no harm is either method you described.

[@nannettekrawczyk]

That's great advice thanks you. However my problem is with the leaves. Loads of blooms but leaves are going yellow and dying. Can you tell me what I'm doing wrong pkease? Nannette

[@OhioTropics]

There can be many reasons. I'd have to see a picture to get a better idea, but can you tell me what substrate your plant is growing in? Bark? Sphagnum moss? How are you watering? What kind of light is your plant getting (window exposure, etc).

[@Mias-trailerparkgarden]

question after they are done blooming and you have cut the spike back should i put my orchid in an area with a little less bright light to let the orchid rest ?

[@OhioTropics]

Hi there! No, you'll want to place it right in front of a window and keep it growing. Typically after flowering, they'll continue to grow new leaves so you'll want to have enough light for continued growth. Good luck! Eastern facing windows are great if you have them. Morning sun is great for them indoors.

[@maryherje7120]

utto…gotta check if the standard houseplant liquid miracle grow has urea…

[@bobandlindamontague]

I need to know if you can propagate an orchid by cutting flower stem after flowers have fallen off.

[@OhioTropics]

So you can actually do this. I haven't done it myself, but someone I know has successfully done it. I believe he cut off the old flower spike (it still needs to be green, and no dried up). Then I believe he added some keiki paste on the nodes on the flower spike. Then he placed them in a jar with moist sphagnum moss and put a lid on. Little baby plants started to grow on the nodes.

[@bobbies9783]

My orchid started in November 2021 blooming. It has had 32 blooms fall off (32 nodes). At the very end are 3 flowers and 4 buds. From the dirt to the end of the stem it is 44 inches long. Will it stop having blooms or will it keep on growing? If this was your orchid would you cut it off?

[@OhioTropics]

Wow! That sounds like quite an amazing specimen! It will keep growing at the tip to some extent, but the flowers will probably get a little smaller and it will look a little weird with the long flower stalk. I would look closely at your flower spike and inspect the nodes and see if you see any side flower branches starting to form. Then you can determine where you can trim the flower stalk so those side branches can produce more flowers.

[@christinalucas5362]

I have about 26 orchids My problem is: I have one orchid that has good roots but all the leaves are gone, it had a baby leaf growing from it but the larger leaf turned yellow quite quickly, leaving two small green leaves they both fell off, leaving now just a stem that yellow, with good roots about 5 green roots. How can I save this orchid or is there a way to save it? Or just trash it?

[@OhioTropics]

Hi Christina! There *may* still be hope, but I will say that it will take a really long time, and dedicated, consistent care to bring it back. Moth orchids don't grow quickly and don't have many leaves to begin with, so it will be a labor of love if you want to revive it. So it's really up to you! Do you know what you did that it lost all of its leaves? It can be caused by a lot of different things, but the first step would be knowing what you did so that you can avoid that as you attempt to revive your plant. If you don't have patience, I would just say to throw the plant away. If you have any specific questions to help you figure out what you did wrong, feel free to email me through my blog (ohiotropics.com) and use the contact form. We can start a conversation there and I can try and help you out!

[@bliss59595]

In my mini orchid, I just had some flowers when I bough, 2 buds were about to blossom but suddenly stem looks drying and all flowers fell off including buds ,leaves and roots are fine. So what is your advise for that? Thank you.

[@OhioTropics]

It all depends on how long the flowers had already been open at the time. It may have been that the flowers just reached their life span. It could also be due to shock from changing environment, maybe lack of watering, etc. There are numerous causes that could have resulted in that. When you buy an orchid, I'd recommend purchasing one where not all the flowers have opened yet. This will ensure that your flowers will last longer. If you purchase a plant that has all the flowers open, you don't know how long they've been open for and could be nearing the end of the life span of the flowers. I hope this helps!

[@billharden9566]

When do you water your orchid after the flowers die. Do you need to fertilize it? Ann Harden

[@OhioTropics]

Hi Bill! Yes, you can keep fertilizing throughout the whole growing season.

[@brendanoel2318]

I'm new beginner at this. I have three layers of leaves. Do they split apart to make 2? Just wondering 🤔

[@OhioTropics]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean?

[@user-dn4dc9wt9d]

After only having my orchid for a few weeks the flowers are drying up I did fertilize once and changed to an orchid soil

[@OhioTropics]

Keep in mind that when you purchase an orchid, especially if all the flowers are open, you don't know how long they have been open for and the flowers could be near the end of their lifespan. Add to this the change in environment, and it can affect things even more. Just know that with good care, your orchid will rebloom every year and once your plant gets used to your environment, you will be able to enjoy your flowers for a longer period of time :-)

[@user-pl3yz2bn5q]

What causes the stems to go yellow after blooming? Does it always mean it needs cut off at the base? Can color/health return to a yellow stem?

[@OhioTropics]

If the stem yellows, it is done so you should just cut it off at the base. It won't turn green again or grow. But it doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the plant. If the plant itself (leaves, roots, etc) look good, I wouldn't worry :-)

[@lynnvinarub89]

I am new to orchids can you teach me good husbandry for orchids.

[@OhioTropics]

Welcome to my channel! I'll be posting more orchid content in the coming weeks and months :-)

[@katrinafielding9146]

Do I need to change soil at all?? Or treat the soil with something

[@OhioTropics]

Yes, you would need to change the potting medium. Phalaenopsis don't grow in soil though. They grow in either a bark mix or sphagnum moss. They will both deteriorate over time and need to be changed out every 2-3 years or so ideally.

[@katrinafielding9146]

@@OhioTropics thank you so much 😊

[@user-wu8ky4rs3m]

I trimmed my orchid back after all the blooms fell off and both spikes turned yellow and basically dried up. That was 2yrs ago and it has not produced any new spikes since. I have recently repotted it, but no change. Is there anything I’m doing wrong or should be doing?

[@OhioTropics]

In most cases, it's due to not enough light. But sometimes you can get a stubborn plant. Here is a blog post that I wrote that will help you! www.ohiotropics.com/2019/12/12/why-wont-my-orchid-bloom/

[@MarySalerno-km5ip]

By​@@OhioTropics

[@patbeyle3292]

is the orchid done if the leaves turn yellow?

[@OhioTropics]

If there are still other leaves that are green, you can continue to grow it. If it has lost all of its leaves, it's probably best that you discard it.

[@suz0000]

So I made the cut a few weeks ago & I will leave it alone until it turns yellow & then snip it. Sounds like I just continue the watering as usual & it may re-bloom eventually. Is that right?

[@OhioTropics]

Yes, just continue normal care!

[@suz0000]

@@OhioTropics thank you, the leaves still are healthy & green but hasn’t rebloomed. I’ll try to be patient.

[@kingsbling]

What do I feed my orchid?

[@OhioTropics]

There are a lot of different fertilizers you can use. I use Dyna-Gro Grow. Dyna-Gro also has a special orchid fertilizer as well. There are many out there that you can use.

[@deborahwinters1690]

I just got my first orchid and I was to make it bloom more

[@OhioTropics]

You can do it! 🥳

[@bliss59595]

Some people have couple orchids side by side and blossom 2 times in a year , they said they dont put anything just once water in a week. How thats possible?

[@OhioTropics]

It's certainly possible. Proper light and watering goes a long way. They don't need much more, other than a little fertilizer.

[@farinaadjie3729]

How to propagate aloe vera

[@OhioTropics]

Usually they will form little pups at the base of the plant. I have a blog post on this to help you: www.ohiotropics.com/2019/08/25/how-to-propagate-aloe-pups/

[@cecilianorton3430]

What about all the roots?

[@OhioTropics]

I recommend leaving any aerial roots. Don't cut those off. Eventually, you can repot and place any of those aerial roots in the bark or sphagnum moss.

[@brendanoel2318]

Thanks for your help. I won't touch anything til you tell me. Lol😅

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome! lol

[@Stan-ug9mx]

Do you feed your orchids with plant food?

[@OhioTropics]

Yes I do. Throughout the year.

[@Stan-ug9mx]

@@OhioTropics what kind of any suggestions?

[@markdale278]

You ever have problems with split leaves ?

[@OhioTropics]

No I don’t think I’ve ever had that issue. Are your leaves splitting right through the middle?

[@markdale278]

@@OhioTropics yes , mainly the mini orchids. I think its dehydration from fewer roots.

[@attyboydodom]

What about mum's

[@OhioTropics]

Those will rebloom easily with no special attention. You can prune them though in the spring or early summer to make them shorter and sturdier, and it will produce more flowers. I assume you have them in the ground?

[@BJ-uy1cl]

The problem I have with cutting so high is the very long stem which is unattractive

[@OhioTropics]

You can cut it a bit lower if you don't like how it looks. But sometimes you can already see the side flower spikes forming, so I let the plant decide :-)

[@GailSchott]

Opt me off all your contact lists!!!!

[@aniskalick5607]

Thanks for the info God bless you

[@OhioTropics]

You are so welcome