When Do New Spikes Form On Orchids?

Orchids can grow a new flower spike, which is a growth that emerges between orchid leaves or from its crown. It is the stem that develops a bud or an inflorescence where flowers bloom. With proper care and attention, an orchid can grow a new spike and produce new blooms. The natural orchid growth cycle usually sees leaf growth in summer and early autumn, a flower spike late autumn to early winter, then all going well, flowering in winter and spring. It takes on average 2 to 3 months from new growth appearing to a fully developed flower spike, ready to bloom.

Orchids bloom during late fall, winter, and early spring due to exposure to lower temperatures and shorter days. As long as you are aware of this, you can care for your orchid spike. Orchid spikes usually emerge from between the plant’s leaves rather than from the plant’s center. Wait to stake a new growth until you see it appear.

One flower spike can mean that your plant will be blooming for several months or even up to a year. A good rule of thumb is to stake an orchid spike when it has grown to about 6 to 12 inches in length. You want the spike to grow long and within 2-3 months, new growth will appear and buds will form. Remember that younger or weaker plants may not re-bloom.

In nature, orchids develop a bloom spike in the late fall when temperatures drop. The spike grows during the winter, with blooms appearing in late fall and early spring. If you accidentally cut the old orchid down too far, it took well over a year to produce a new one.

How do I get my orchid to grow a new spike?

To obtain a new orchid flower spike, place the plant in a lower room temperature (55-65°F) at night or in a window away from a heater. This method works best in winter when homes and windows aren’t as warm. Wait for a month for the spike to grow, which will look like a root with a knobby end called a “mitten”. Once it starts spiking, return the orchid to its normal growing location with a moderate room temperature of 65-75°F and bright, indirect light.

Support the spike with a stake and a loose tie once it reaches about 5″. If no new spikes are produced after a couple of months, try moving the orchid to a different location. Continue watering and fertilizing the orchid, but don’t move it around to avoid twisted flowers and an arching effect. The Phalaenopsis can usually grow a new flower spike or two annually.

How do I know if my orchid is a new root or flower spike?

As illustrated in the image below the Orchid Spike, the orchid root exhibits a slight indentation.

Why is my orchid not producing spikes?

Moth orchids typically prefer bright, indirect light, but once they finish flowering, they need energy to produce another flower spike. To ensure this, move your orchid to a spot with direct morning or late-afternoon sun over a week. Orchids don’t need fancy fertilizers, as they can’t absorb as much as houseplants growing in potting soil. To maintain their health, remember the mantra “Weekly, weakly” and water them once a week with half the recommended dose. Cut back to once a month in winter and wash away excess fertilizer salts by watering your orchids thoroughly in the sink.

Most moth orchids thrive in a mix of bark, perlite, and charcoal, which drains quickly but stays slightly moist for days. After a year, this bark mixture breaks down and stops providing the quick drainage and air circulation that orchid roots need. Repot your orchids when the bark mixture breaks down and becomes mushy. Before buying a new bag of orchid potting mix, squeeze it and ensure it feels soft, like regular potting soil, instead of chunky like bark mulch.

In summary, moth orchids require regular, light feedings, regular light, and a mix of bark, perlite, and charcoal. Regularly watering your orchids and ensuring they receive the right amount of light are essential for their health and growth.

How long does it take for orchid spikes to grow?

The natural orchid growth cycle typically involves leaf growth in summer and early autumn, flower spikes in late autumn to early winter, and flowering in winter and spring. It takes an average of 2 to 3 months for new growth to appear and a fully developed spike to bloom. It is advised not to rotate the orchid, as it will try to grow towards the light. Support a new spike as soon as it is long enough, and use standard plant stakes and orchid clips for support.

For overseas plants, bendable orchid flower stakes are recommended. When buying orchids, look for ones with closed buds at the end of the spike, as they typically have 2 to 3 months of blooming ahead. The twist ties provided by the orchid spikes may not be the best option, so opt for orchid clips instead.

How often do orchids grow new spikes?

The natural orchid growth cycle typically involves leaf growth in summer and early autumn, flower spikes in late autumn to early winter, and flowering in winter and spring. It takes an average of 2 to 3 months for new growth to appear and a fully developed spike to bloom. It is advised not to rotate the orchid, as it will try to grow towards the light. Support a new spike as soon as it is long enough, and use standard plant stakes and orchid clips for support.

For overseas plants, bendable orchid flower stakes are recommended. When buying orchids, look for ones with closed buds at the end of the spike, as they typically have 2 to 3 months of blooming ahead. The twist ties provided by the orchid spikes may not be the best option, so opt for orchid clips instead.

How long does it take for orchid spike to grow back?

The natural orchid growth cycle typically involves leaf growth in summer and early autumn, flower spikes in late autumn to early winter, and flowering in winter and spring. It takes an average of 2 to 3 months for new growth to appear and a fully developed flower spike to bloom. It is advised not to rotate the orchid, as it will try to grow towards the light. Support a new spike as soon as it is long enough. Plant stakes and orchid clips can be used for this purpose.

When buying orchids, look for ones with closed buds at the end of the spike, rather than those in full bloom with all flowers open. This will allow for 2 to 3 months of blooming ahead. A healthy orchid typically reblooms every 8 to 12 months, but some may rebloom in the same season. To get your orchid to bloom again right away, follow the tips provided in the following sections.

Do orchids rebloom on old stems?

The Phalaenopsis orchid, or moth orchid, is the only orchid that reblooms on the same stalk, while other orchids bloom from different stalks. To trim this orchid, trim the flower stalk, not the pseudobulbs. Most orchids do not have pseudobulbs, so if you grow Dendrobiums or Cattleyas, trim the flower stalk at the base of the plant. If you notice a bulge in the stem, it is a pseudobulb and should not be cut.

If there are leaves growing off a stalk, don’t cut them. If the spike is dying and looks brown, trim the stem at the base of the plant. As the orchid blooms annually, wait until next year for more flower spikes to grow before cutting the stalk at the base.

What does the start of an orchid spike look like?

As the spike increases in size, it becomes more pronounced and discernible, exhibiting the formation of nodes along its length. However, it retains its original coloration and does not develop a silvery coating akin to that observed in roots.

How many times will an orchid spike bloom?

Orchids can rebloom by providing the right conditions like water, light, temperature, humidity, feeding, and regular maintenance. Phalaenopsis or moth orchids can be coaxed into reblooming indoors every three to six months. Typically blooming once a year from winter into early spring, this plant can be revived with a rest or dormancy period and a proper care routine. To get your phalaenopsis orchid to rebloom year-round, follow these steps:

1. Provide the orchid with the right conditions, such as water, light, temperature, humidity, feeding, and regular maintenance.

How to tell if your orchid will bloom again?

To ensure an orchid’s reblooming, lower the temperature and move it to a cool location with nighttime temperatures dropping to 55-65°F. Provide adequate light and water in the new growing location, either near a cool window during fall or winter, or outdoors if temperatures permit. Keep the orchid from getting too chilly.

Look for a new orchid flower spike, which usually emerges within a month when exposed to cool nighttime temperatures. These spikes are slender and have knobby ends resembling a closed fist or mitten. If the spike doesn’t form within a month or two, move the orchid to a new location to see if it will grow better.

How do I know if my orchid is growing a new stem?

As you become more familiar with your orchid, you’ll notice the difference between roots and spikes. Orchid spikes are greener and have a flatter, mitten-shaped tip, and emerge from between the plant’s leaves. They remain green along their full length and are as tall as the stake itself. Orchid roots, on the other hand, have rounded green tips and appear under leaves. They are covered with a spongy epidural tissue called velamen, which helps absorb water and nitrogen from the air and provides the stickiness that allows epiphytic orchids to cling to tree branches in their natural habitat. Observing and time-observing these differences will help you determine if a new growth is a root or a flower spike.