Simple Steps for Orchid Care Rebloom Success—Even for Beginners Orchids are one of the most stunning additions to any indoor garden, but as anyone who’s had one knows, getting them to rebloom can feel like a bit of a mystery. When I first started my orchid journey, I was so excited about the beauty of the flowers—until the blooms fell off, and I wasn’t quite sure how to encourage them back. After researching, experimenting, and yes, even making a few mistakes, I finally found a few simple steps that helped me enjoy those beautiful blooms again and again. In this guide, I’ll share those steps with you. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to improve your orchid care, these methods will help you confidently care for your orchid after blooming and encourage it to rebloom. Let’s dive into the essentials for Orchid Care Rebloom Success! This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Please read our full disclosure here to find out more. 1. Understandi
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The best time in picking your flowers is in the early morning when flower stems are filled with water after the cool night air.
The heat of the sun lowers the water content in the stems and the flowers will not last nearly as long. If it has been raining and the flowers are wet, shake them gently to remove the excess water. Too much water will often damage flowers - especially delicately petalled flowers.
When to Pick Flowers -
Most
flowers should be picked when they are in bud or half open. You will
then have the pleasure of seeing them slowly open up. The colour of the
petals should be starting to show. If picked too tightly in bud, they
may never open.
Take the bucket of water into the garden with you. Use a sharp pair of secateurs and cut the flower stems on an angle - a slanted cut allows a better intake of water. Remove all foliage from the lower portion of the stems which would stand under the water line. Place the flowers immediately in the water.
Conditioning Flowers and Foliage - Allow flowers to have a good drink for four to five hours, preferably overnight before arranging. This step is called conditioning. It allows the stems to fill up with water and the flowers will become crisp. These flowers will last twice as long as those that have not been conditioned properly.
Bought Flowers - Bought flowers should be placed in warm water as soon as possible. Remove the wrapping paper, as paper can bruise the flowers and cellophane can cause them to sweat. When cut flowers have been left out of water for any length of time, cells start to form over the cut ends of the stems, which will prevent the stems taking up water readily. To remove this sealed portion, snip off about 2.5cm (1") from the stem ends and then place in water preferably with preservative added, and allow the flowers to have a long drink before arranging.
You may be given flowers when you are away from home. It may well be several hours before you are able to place them in water. The best way to keep flowers fresh is to place them in a strong plastic bag with some water in the bottom. Secure the bag with a rubber band. Another method is to wrap flowers in damp newspaper. If travelling by car, place the flowers in the coolest spot. As soon as you get home, recut the ends of the stems, place them in water and allow them to condition overnight before arranging.
Preservatives - A flower preservative helps destroy bacteria in the water. Flower preservatives are available in garden centres or supermarkets or Amazon. Another alternative is to use a capful of household bleach in the water. If a preservative is not used, the water needs to be changed and the stems cut on an angle daily. If a preservative is used, the stems do not require recutting and water needs changing only about twice a week. Flowers like freesias, spray carnations and liliums have lots of buds. By using a preservative in the water, it helps develop the buds to open.
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Special Treatment -
Special treatment should be given to certain flowers to give them the longest life possible. Flowers with woody stems do not take up water readily. Woody-stemmed flowers include lilac, hydrangea, and rhododendrons.
To help break down the thick fibres, you can split the ends of the stems upwards for about 5 cm. (2") After this treatment, place the stems in a container filled with warm water and give the flowers a long drink before arranging.
Quick Dip.. Instant Hydration Pretreatment for Fresh Flowers |
Flowers with Milky Stems -
Poppies, poinsettias and dahlias have a milky liquid flowing through their stems. To seal this liquid in and make the flowers last, the ends of the stems should be held over a flame like a candle, gas jet or cigarette lighter.
Hold the end of the stem over the flame for about thirty seconds until the end of the stem turns black. The flowers should be held on an angle to protect the delicate petals. Another method is to dip the stems in boiling water for about thirty seconds.
Hold the flower heads away on an angle and protect the petals from steam by holding newspaper around the flowers. Place stems immediately in warm water and give flowers a long drink before arranging.
If stems need to be recut later on when arranging flowers, you will need to repeat the above steps. To avoid this you could cut the stems to different lengths before sealing the ends of the stems.
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