How to Make a Non-Flowering Orchid Bloom: Put It Under the Roots!

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Applying this remedy is simple and easy to incorporate into your orchid care routine. Follow these steps:

    1. Choose the Right Fertilizer Pills: Select slow-release fertilizer tablets formulated for orchids or flowering plants. Look for those rich in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to promote blooms.

 

    1. Prepare the Orchid for Treatment: If your orchid is potted, gently remove the top layer of the potting medium around the roots without damaging them.

       

    2. Place the Nutrient Pill Under the Roots: Position one or two fertilizer tablets close to the root zone, ideally where moisture is retained but not waterlogged.

       

    3. Water the Orchid Normally: After placing the pills, water the plant to help dissolve the nutrients gradually into the root area.

 

  1. Repeat Monthly: For ongoing bloom encouragement, apply nutrient pills once a month during the active growing season.

     

Additional Care Tips to Support Blooming

While placing fertilizer pills under the roots can jumpstart blooming, combining this method with optimal care increases success:

 

    • Light: Ensure your orchid receives bright, indirect sunlight. East or west-facing windows are ideal. If natural light is insufficient, consider using grow lights.

    • Temperature: Provide a temperature drop at night (about 10°F or 5-6°C cooler) to stimulate flower spikes.

       

    • Watering: Water your orchid when the potting medium feels dry to the touch, usually once a week. Avoid waterlogging.

 

  • Humidity: Orchids thrive in moderate humidity (50-70%). Use a humidity tray or mist regularly if your indoor air is dry.

  • Pruning: After flowering, trim old flower spikes near the base to encourage new growth.

     

What to Expect After Using This Method

With consistent application of nutrient pills under the roots and proper orchid care, you can expect:

    • Visible signs of new flower spikes emerging from the base or leaf axils within a few weeks.

       

    • Increased vigor in roots and leaves, indicating better overall plant health.

       

 

  • Multiple blooming cycles per year if care is maintained, extending your orchid’s flowering season.

Why This Method Is Recommended

This targeted feeding approach works because it mimics the orchid’s natural environment, where nutrients are often limited and slowly absorbed through the roots. Unlike spraying fertilizer on leaves or mixing nutrients in large volumes of water, placing pills directly under the roots ensures the orchid’s vital root system receives the nutrients it needs without risk of overfeeding.

 

It is also low maintenance and gentle on the plant, reducing the chance of fertilizer burn or stress.

 

Conclusion

If your orchid hasn’t bloomed for a while and you want to see those beautiful flowers again, try placing a nutrient pill under its roots. This simple, focused treatment nourishes the roots, encourages flower spike development, and revives your plant’s natural blooming cycle.

Combined with proper watering, light, and temperature management, this method can transform a non-flowering orchid into a flourishing display of vibrant blossoms. With patience and regular care, you’ll soon enjoy the beauty and elegance of orchid flowers once more.

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