Can I Restart a Branch From My Orchid That Broke Off?

Bloom Death

• The blooms on orchids can last a long time if you care for the plant properly. Even so, the flower will eventually drop or break off. This is normal, and the plant will eventually grow another flower in the same place. To encourage this, cut the stem above the node that is closest to where the branch broke off. Continue a healthy watering and fertilization routine and the flower may regrow.

Watering

• Continue to water your plant correctly to encourage it to regrow the bloom. While each orchid plant will differ, a general rule is to water it every five to 12 days. Water the plant closer to every five days during the summer and closer to 12 days in the winter. Within this range it is important to check the moisture content of the soil with your finger to know when to water. Most orchids, such as the Phalaenopsis variety, need to dry out before they're watered again. Other types, such as the cymbidium orchid, require more water and constantly moist potting medium. Generally, most orchids need to be moist during active growing months and dry during dormant months.

Fertilizing

• Fertilizing your orchid will give it the right amount of nutrients for strong growth. Choose a fertilizer that is specifically designed for orchids. Fertilize your orchid once every month. Fertilizing more often will not encourage the orchid to grow more; instead it will cause the roots and leaves to burn. Most orchid fertilizer is powdered and should be added to water when watering the plants.

Unhealthy

• Don't encourage an unhealthy plant with withered leaves to regrow a flower or branch immediately. This exhausts the sick plant by causing it to expend too much energy, which it could otherwise use to get healthy. The plant can die as a result. Instead, give the plant time to recuperate by cutting the branch all of the way down the plant. Continue to water and fertilize the plant. It will eventually regrow the branch and produce new blooms.