What to do with Orchids after they Bloom? (4 Easy Options)

Phalaenopsis Moth Orchids make fantastic, showy houseplants and can be in bloom for months at a time. But what should you do once the flowers have all fallen off?
Watch our video to find out and if you want more, check out the full written guide with more detailed photos over on our site - www.ourhousepl...

[@Mustang_Dan]

I just got a phaleanopsis from a big box store but it looks great. I put it in a proper pot with proper medium and it looks great with my 9th bloom opening up today. But I only have 4 leaves. Should I concentrate on leaf production after these blooms finish?

[@ourhouseplants]

Hi Dan. 4 leaves sound plenty to me. Unless they're very small or going yellow, I think you're good to try one of the reblooming methods once your current ones are finished.

[@Starkitty1]

Iv had my plant for maybe 5yrs and last year was the first time it re bloomed. It gave us 2 shoots. It is July now and one shoot has lost all its flowers. Should I cut it off or wait until the other shoot drops all the flowers? Should I cut them all the way down or leave a inch?😊

[@ourhouseplants]

You can cut off the spent "spike" at this point. Assume you have a healthy Orchid with lots of leaves, I'd personally leave and inch and hope it reblooms. But it's your call.

[@Stan-ug9mx]

What about orchid fertilizer?

[@ourhouseplants]

You can totally use it for sure. I'd encourage it, really. You can either use stuff marketed for Orchid use, or just a normal houseplant feed diluted by half.

[@janicegravelle2618]

Why does the leave go yellow

[@ourhouseplants]

Too much water, too much light and old age are the normal reasons. The leaves won't last forever, perhaps a few years. As long as you have roughly the same number of leaves as when you first got the plant, it should be fine.