Do Orchid Flowers Grow Back?

New Blooms

• Once an orchid flower dies, the plant prepares to bloom again. It's important to leave at least a portion of the stem, spike or branch of the old flower on the plant since some varieties will produce several blooms along the same stem. Others will send up a new stalk or stem, which will eventually bloom. Examine the stem where the old flower was located and you may see a small bud beginning to swell. It's best to wait to see whether the orchid plant sends up a new stem or blooms from the existing one before removing it. You can cut off the dead bloom.

Temperature

• Many orchids require a shift in temperature before they will begin blooming. Nurseries do this to encourage an orchid plant to bloom before it is sold. To do this at home, create an artificial temperature drop between the day and night. Accomplish this by moving the plant to a cool closet or garage, or by placing it near a window at night. Most orchids do not tolerate temperatures lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, however, so make sure the plant does not get too cold. Bloom time depends on the variety, but most will flower within a month of a temperature shift.

Lighting

• Orchids require plenty of light to flower. All other conditions can be ideal, but if the plant is starved for light, it will not bloom. Moving the orchid closer to the window may help, but it's important to find a balance between light and heat. Ideally, place an orchid in bright, indirect sunlight in a room where daytime temperatures remain fairly constant. Direct sunlight can scorch or overheat the plant. During the summer months, place orchids outdoors in the shade to help meet their light requirements.

Feeding

• Since orchids come in mediums that contain few nutrients, like bark and peat moss, they need fertilizer on a regular basis. Plants that have not received enough nutrients will not produce blooms. On the other hand, over-fertilizing an orchid can weaken or kill it. Finding the right balance for fertilizing, based on the variety and its needs, will help ensure that the orchid flowers.