What type of orchid blooms all year

This may be preventing the orchid from having enough stored strength to bloom. The selection of a top quality orchid mix is of the utmost importance. Don't be fooled by generic orchid mixes sold at hardware stores. When it comes to orchid mixes, quality and freshness really matter.

Once you see for yourself the difference a fresh mix from the highest quality ingredients makes compared to store brands you won't ever want to go back to those inferior mixes again. Watching an orchid carefully can give clues to trouble at the root zone see clear pots. When we buy orchids at the store they are typically quite young. Over time each new leaf or pseudobulb should be bigger than the previous one or at least the same size.

This determination can typically be made when the next new leaf or pseudobulb begins to form, or the plant goes into its bloom cycle. There are two types of growth patterns for orchids, sympodial and monopodial. The monopodial orchids, Phalaenopsis and Vanda being the two most common, grow up off a single central stem with leaves on either side.

We expect to see each leaf be at least as big as the leaf before it and hope to see at least one or two new leaves per year. The next bloom spike on a monopodial orchid comes from the base at the underside of a leaf, usually 2 or 3 leaves down from the newest leaf and on the opposite side as the prior bloom spike. In order to keep blooming over the years, monopodial orchids such as Phalaenopsis need to put on new leaves each year.

Over time, as the orchid grows in size and strength it will send out a bloom spike on each side of the stem simultaneously. Sympodial orchids have multiple growths and usually grow one or more new growths per year. Often the growth pattern looks like a corkscrew with each new growth coming from the side of the one before it in a circular pattern.

For example, a young orchid which is purchased in bloom might have 4 or 5 stalks, most with leaves, with the bloom coming from the largest stalk. These "stalks" are actually called "pseudobulbs". If the orchid does well we expect to see a new pseudobulb emerge from the base of the previous pseudobulb near where the orchid bloomed. During the leaf and root growth period not the bloom period , usually in summer, this new pseudobulb will ideally grow to be at least as big or bigger than the one that just bloomed.

The next bloom spike will come from this new pseudobulb. We are looking to grow the biggest, healthiest new pseudobulbs possible as they will be the source of the next season's bloom.

Ample light, food and sufficient water are keys to healthy new growth. Over time, as the orchid grows in size and strength it will grow multiple pseudobulbs which can all spike at the same time creating an abundance of flowers. Each orchid type has a time of the year when it naturally will bloom. This may not be the same time of year that an orchid was blooming when it was purchased, as nurseries can force orchids to bloom off-cycle.

Plant labels can be very helpful in recording bloom cycles. Most orchids grow during the summer and bloom in the fall, winter or spring. Knowing the season that an orchid blooms helps alleviate the frustration of feeling like "It's July, why isn't my Phalaenopsis in bloom again now?

For example, the Phalaenopsis orchid is most likely to grow new leaves in the summer and early fall and set a bloom spike in late fall. The spike will elongate during the winter with blooms emerging in late winter or early spring.

There are plenty of Phalaenopsis which bloom off cycle for a myriad of reasons from genetics to culture but most will follow this pattern. Many orchids bloom once per year, some twice or even more. Once in bloom some flowers last weeks or months while others can last only days. This encourages spikes to elongate and produce buds, whereas stretching their days to 12 hours encourages green growth at the expense of flowering.

Orchids also need temperatures to drop about 10 degrees each night, and daytime highs should remain below 80 degrees Fahrenheit to induce flowering.

If you want your orchid to re-bloom, snip off flowers as soon as they die; not all orchids will re-bloom, but many replace lost blossoms after you remove them. By Ashley Mackenzie. Related Articles. Fast Growers While most orchids need repotting every two to three years, some orchids grow more rapidly than others. Re-Nlooming Orchids Dendrobium orchids typically bloom twice a year -- in autumn and winter -- with flowers lasting up to a month each time, while Phalaenopsis orchids flower in winter and early spring.

Sequential Bloomers For year-round flowering, sequential bloomers are the smartest choices. How to Encourage Flowering When you're ready for your orchids to bloom, give them light for just nine hours a day.

Odontoglossum orchids are cool-climate orchids known for their colorful and freckled petals. These flowers need moderate light and frequent watering about 2 to 3 times per week.

Odontoglossum orchids are highly recommended for growing in greenhouses. Zygopetalum orchids are another example of cool-climate orchids, blooming from fall to spring. These fragrant flowers boast bright purple petals with veiny streaks throughout. They make up a relatively small genus with only 15 species. One of the most common types of orchids, phalaenopsis orchids, also known as "moth orchids," are ideal for beginners.

They are relatively easy to grow inside and stay in bloom for most of the year. Phalaenopsis orchids prefer diffused lighting and moderate humidity, so try placing yours in the kitchen or bathroom. Psychopsis orchids are also known as "butterfly orchids" because their speckled petals look like butterflies dancing in the breeze. They are relatively easy to grow as they have a good tolerance for a wide range of temperature and light conditions and can bloom for many months.

The fused petals of paphiopedilum orchids create a pouch that looks a lot like a ballet flat, which is why this orchid is often referred to as the "lady's slipper orchid. There are as many as 1, different species of dendrobium orchids. These orchids like to grow in small pots and often have tall, top-heavy blooms that require staking for support. Dendrobium orchids require cooler temperatures and less humidity than other orchids.

Phaius orchids, also known as "nun's cap orchids," can grow up to 4 feet tall. They have large leaves at their base and flowers that come in colors like white, pink, red, and purple.

Phaius orchids can grow outside year round without freezing and typically bloom in the winter. Often found in tropical areas, maxillaria orchids like bright light and can take a lot of water. There are more than species of maxillaria orchids and most are known for their fragrance of coconut and vanilla. Maxillaria orchids bloom in early spring. Unlike a vast majority of other types of orchids, phragmipedium orchids thrive in wet conditions and prefer to have "wet feet.

Phragmipedium orchids look much like lady's slipper orchids with petals that form a pouch. As one of the most unique orchids, catasetum orchids have unusually waxy flowers and produce both male and female flower buds. If the plant is touched or bumped, the male flowers will actually shoot pollen into the air. Many species of lycaste orchids are fragrant with scents like lemon and cinnamon.

These orchids shed their leaves during dormancy revealing spikes that can be quite sharp. Lycaste orchids come in colors like white, yellow, and red, and bloom in late winter to early spring. Also known as "jewel orchids," ludisia orchids make up a rare genus that only includes one species. These orchids have dark green leaves and small white flowers that bloom in the fall and winter.

Ludisia orchids don't need a lot of sunlight and do well as indoor houseplants. Vanilla, one of the most popular fragrances and spices, actually comes from a genus of orchids. Vanilla orchids are the only type of orchids that grow on vines and need a lot of vertical space. Individual flowers only last about a day, but the plant will continue to produce them for up to 1 to 2 months.