Keep Them Blooming
An Easy Method to Keep Your Orchids Blooming Year After Year
Flowers in my Dendrobium
My Phalaenopsis Are All in Bloom
-at the Same Time!
My phalaenopsis, all blooming in February 2025
I got interested in orchids when I was a girl scout in 1991, and we visited Thailand on the way to 17th World Jamboree Mondial in South-Korea. I was only 14 during that time and was mesmerized by the world. Everything was new and exciting and I particularly remember seeing all these beautiful orchids growing on trees. Their roots were just hanging and I was wondering how on earth they survive outside of soil. Little did I know that there are other plants, like succulents, that can grow without soil too.
When I bought my first orchid, I had already researched how to take care of it. I went to a local library in Finland and looked up how to care for all the houseplants my mom had. There were about 20 of them, so I spent quite a few days gathering information and writing everything down in a notebook.
This was in the '90s, so I didn’t have the internet to help me. During those years, I was really into biology and wanted to work in a flower shop, but that didn’t work out since I didn’t have a florist diploma. Still, I managed to keep my mom’s flowers alive, which felt like an accomplishment.
Later, when I moved around the world, I realized that the same tricks didn’t work anymore. Either the weather was too hot or the houses were too cold for the plants to thrive.
However, I managed to keep orchids alive and blooming every year.
The method I use to make my orchids bloom is very simple, and you’ve probably heard about it when buying orchids. The trick is to be consistent.
Twice a month, around the 1st and 15th, I bring all my orchids—with their bowls—to the sink and water them there. I run water from the faucet into each pot until it overflows. They stay there for anywhere between 5 to 30 minutes, though I usually keep them for about 20 minutes. Then, I drain the water quickly and return them to their place.
That’s all I do! I don’t even use orchid supplements or any other fertilizers.
The window they like the most in my house in Washington State is the north-facing window. I remember trying a south-facing window, but they didn’t seem to like it, as it made the leaves change color. I’ve also learned that good-sized bowls are better than shallow trays.
My orchid bowls come in all different sizes and shapes.
I hope these simple tricks help you extend the lifespan of your orchids and enjoy their blooms year after year. Feel free to comment below—I’d love to hear how your orchids are thriving using this method!
