Do Peacock Orchids Reappear Annually?

Peacock orchids, also known as Oncidiums, are a tropical orchid that bloom for an extended period of time, often several months. They can be grown in hardiness zones 7 through 10, and can survive in colder areas provided they receive proper care. To maintain their health, peacock orchids require minimal care, such as planting them in well-draining soil, watering, and fertilizing regularly.

Bloom time for peacock orchids depends on the variety of orchids, and they can take up to two years to mature and flower for the first time. Once they start blooming, they will usually continue to do so for many years with proper care. To ensure proper care, provide an eight-inch space between each plant to grow, and for small corms, place them in the ground at a depth of four. If bulbs are not dug yearly for winter storage, division of them every three to five years is necessary for continued growth.

In cooler climates, gardeners should treat peacock orchids as annuals or dig them in fall. The “summer bulb” has a globose corm rather than a true bulb, and it is considered an heirloom bulb. They are cheap as chips considering the dazzling show they put on in their first year, but should be treated the same as an annual and replaced every three to five years.

Some gardeners have reported that peacock orchids have come up for two seasons and reach about 3 to 3-1/2 feet in height, but have not bloomed in the two years since being planted. The bulbs from last year have not returned, and the reason for this is unknown.

Is a peacock orchid a perennial or annual?

The Peacock Orchid, also known as Abyssinian Sword Lily, Abyssinian Star, or Fragrant Gladiolus, is a herbaceous perennial native to East Africa. Its foliage is long sword-shaped medium green leaves, forming a clumping habit. The fragrant white star-shaped flowers with a purple star center emerge late summer to early autumn on stems. The plant thrives in full sun positions with organically rich, well-drained soil, particularly in colder zones.

The flowers are beautiful when mass-planted and make ideal cut flowers. To plant, plant in spring, once the last frost has passed. The Peacock Orchid is native to East Africa and can thrive in both pots and garden beds.

Do peacock orchids multiply?

The speaker has cultivated a number of plants, and it has been observed that they reproduce at a rapid rate.

When to dig up peacock orchids?

Peacock orchids are small, dark red-brown corms that grow 2-6″ deep, with larger ones planted deeper. They are best planted in groups of at least five and kept well-watered. In the fall, dig the corms after frost kills the foliage and before the soil freezes. Cut the stems back to about 4″ and cure them in a dry shady area for two weeks. Store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in dry peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite.

The species is most commonly propagated by division of the corms that multiply during the growing season. The plants can also produce small offset cormels at the base, which typically require two years to reach flowering size. Seed can also be grown, but it takes longer to flower.

How hardy are peacock orchids?

G. murielae, a wild gladiolus, grows 1 to 2 feet tall with four to eight leaves. Its soft-textured leaves are up to ½” wide, flat, tall, and narrow, and its stems are fairly strong but may require staking if planted in an unsheltered spot or too much shade. The plant is hardy only to about 10˚F, so it can remain in the ground in zones 7-11 but is easily overwintered indoors in colder climates.

The peacock orchid requires a longer growing season than common hybrid gladiolus and blooms from mid- to late summer. The 2-3″ star-shaped, white flowers have a deep purple blotch in the center and hang slightly downwards on the arching pedicel. Each stem produces several flowers that open one at a time starting from the bottom of the spike, over a period of three to four weeks. The individual flowers last a few days and make long-lasting cut flowers. They are deliciously fragrant with a light scent reminiscent of gardenia or jasmine that is stronger at night.

Peacock orchids can be grown in the ground or containers, providing vertical interest and textural contrast to many other plants. They work well in informal or cottage gardens, beds, and mixed borders. For the highest impact in the landscape, plant them in masses (10 to 25 corms) in clusters, not in straight rows. They combine well with short, relaxed grasses such as fountain grass, prairie dropseed, and airy Gaura lindheimeri.

Peacock orchids do best in full sun and well-drained soil. They can be planted a week or two before the last frost, but planting is best delayed until soil temperatures are above 50˚F.

Should I throw away my orchid?

The orchid is cultivated in a separate container, thus ensuring its continued viability. A comprehensive guide to the prevention and treatment of crown rot is provided in the product description.

How do I know if my orchid will grow back?

Orchids grow new stems as they emerge from their dormant period, ready to bloom again. It typically takes two to eight weeks for a new stem to emerge, depending on the orchid type. To encourage growth, follow proper orchid care steps, such as using stakes to support the stems. If the orchid takes a long time to rebloom, it might be due to adjusting its conditions and providing optimal care. Some houseplants may also look worse for wear from factors like cold, but it is possible to revive them. The stunning display of exotic flowers makes the wait worth it.

Will a dead orchid come back?

To ensure the return of beautiful orchid blooms, follow these basic care tips for a dormant orchid plant. These tips include:

1. Watering the orchid regularly, but not too much, as it can dry out quickly.
2. Providing the orchid with proper light and water, but not too much.

Will orchids grow back after they fall off?

Orchids may wilt and fall off after finishing blooming, causing worry for parents. This is normal as orchids enter a resting period to store energy for reblooming. With proper care, these beautiful blooms can return. To care for a resting orchid plant, follow these tips:

1. Water regularly, but not too much, as orchids need to grow quickly.

What happens after orchid dies?

If your orchid’s flowers are fading, it’s not a mistake. Instead, you can let it grow without fertilizing it, using a balanced fertilizer at half the recommended rate. The plant may produce new buds at the end of the old spike. If the spike turns yellow or brown, remove it. Cut the bare spike back to a “node” on the stem, which may encourage new side flower spikes. Remove the entire spike to put more energy back into the leaves and roots, helping the orchid grow stronger and produce a fresh new spike. Use sterilized pruning shears or scissors to avoid damage to the plant.

Will orchids come back every year?

Orchids can bloom once or twice a year, with some flowers lasting weeks or months, while others can last only days. Research on the type of orchid can help determine what to expect. Phalaenopsis orchids typically bloom once per year, with long-lasting blooms. Cattleya, oncidium, and dendrobium orchids typically bloom once or twice per year, with spectacular blooms lasting a month or two.

Orchids have natural stimuli that indicate the end of the growth season and the time to bloom. Some orchids are temperature sensitive, triggered by natural cooling in the fall, while others are light sensitive. Temperatures in the 60’s for a brief period (1-2 weeks) are usually sufficient to initiate a bloom spike in most Phalaenopsis. Light-sensitive orchids grown in homes with constant temperatures may have their natural cycle disrupted, but if allowed to summer outdoors, they will sense the shortening days and begin the bloom cycle.

For more information on orchid care, visit informative pages on Phalaenopsis Orchid Care and a directory of orchid care articles. These pages provide all the basic information needed to keep your beautiful orchids healthy, happy, and blooming.

Can you grow peacock orchids in pots?

Peacock orchids can grow in the ground and naturalize in zones 7-10. For shorter growing seasons, start indoors on a sunny windowsill and transplant outside when warm. They also thrive in pots. In cooler climates, treat them as annuals or dig them in fall. Leave them in the ground covered with mulch and watch for their return next year. The second and third years are crucial for the true growth of peacock orchids.