Question
I RECEIVED MY ORCHID BACK IN 02/06. IT WAS ALREADY IN FULL FLOWER. THE FLOWERS ARE NOW STARTING TO FALL OFF. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW TO GET THIS BEAUTY TO FLOWER AGAIN? I LIVE IN VIRGINIA AND WATER MY PALNT WEEKLY. HELP!!! ALSO I HAVE NEVER FERTILIZED-WHAT KIND DO I USE? HELP!! THANKS....

Answer
Hello Vicki,

Your phalaenopsis orchid has been in constant bloom since 02/06?  Or did you mean 02/07?  While phalaenopsis blooms can last for quite some time, it would be unusual for them to last over a year.  Once all of the blooms have fallen off, remove the flower stem by cutting it off about an inch or two from the bottom, this will allow the phal to devote all of its energies towards growing stronger for next years blooms.  

Phalaenopsis orchids normally produce blooms once a year but a few can produce blooms several times a year under ideal growing conditions.  While growing it inside your home is fine, it probably is not perfect for it.  To get it to bloom next year, grow it under conditions it prefers and feed it a dilute fertilizer solution to help promote good growth.  

Phalaenopsis prefer temperatures between 60F to 85F with humidity above 50% (probably not a problem in Virginia).  Place it where it will receive bright but indirect sunlight.  Some light air movement would be beneficial.  Water when the potting media becomes barely moist and feed it every week (the motto is weakly weekly) during the active growing months from late winter through early fall.  In mid fall, try exposing it to night temperatures around 55F for several weeks to coax it to begin the bloom cycle.  Also, at the same time, feed it one teaspoon of epsom salt mixed in a quart of lukewarm water instead of fertilizer.  

Hope this has helped.  Good luck and good growing.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.