Orchids, along with roses, are possibly the most beautiful flowers we can find on our flower supplier. If we take to proper orchid care after flowering, we can count on enjoying new and healthy blossoming by the next flowering season.

Depending on the orchid species we are growing, we will see them flowering in different seasons. Some species use to flower between November to February, whilst others, like Odontoglossum species, bloom from February to May. On the other hand, Phalaenopsis orchids display their flowers the whole year round.

The right orchid care after flowering will help our orchid plant to produce a greater and finer blooming.

When the flower fades, we should cut the withered stalk using sterile nippers. The most common advice is to cut the stalk about half way between the base and the bud. However, many growers prefer to cut it near the base to enhance the next bloom quality. As this can be different from a species to another, I suggest trying both approaches and seeing which one is giving the best results.

Regarding sterile nippers, it is an important point that should not be disregarded. The reason for that is that orchids may suffer from bacterial infections and we are inflicting wounds to the orchid when cutting the stalk.

In order to sterilize our nippers we can use rubbing alcohol mixed with some water or even a bleach solution.

Continuing with our orchid care after blooming, the next step will be making sure that the roots of our orchid plant are in a healthy condition. White or green roots indicate that the root system is in good shape, whereas black and/or brown roots are a clear sign of unhealthy systems. Again, we should use our sterile nippers to remove the roots that display such colors.

Finally, we will place our orchid plant in a pot that provides enough drainage and ventilation, so that our orchid may recover properly and get ready to prepare for the new bloom. We can also use a diluted form of fertilizer and water them twice a week, making sure that the orchid media do not get totally dry at any moment.

These are the basic guidelines for a proper orchid care after flowering. To know more about orchid care, we recommend the reading of the ebook: Growing Orchids Indoors and Outdoors.