Expert: Wayne King - 9/14/2009

Question
I have 4 5" potted and 2 3" potted(miniature) orchids.I acquired them from your local produce market.All appear to be of the same family,just variety of color.All bloomed beautifully for quite a few mos.,then nothing.I transplanted,in bark & moss just like the site said.I actually even gave orchid food,left the music on in my office,they have everything a (spoiled) orchid could want.All blooms fell off 2 mos. ago now. I have cut 2 of the spikes back,2died,and 2 not doing anything but appear to be strong.NO BLOOMS.My office is so naked and gloomy w/out them.

Please bring life back to my office.
Lifeless and lonely w/out orchid blooms
Stacey

Answer
Stacey, most orchids have a defined blooming interval which can vary from a few weeks to a few months.  This is an annual bloom and, if they are healthy and get enough light, will repeat the following year.  I suspect that the orchids you have are miniature dendrobiums which tend to be the types found at local produce markets.  Cut back on the watering until you see new growth on the plants as they like to have a rest period after flowering.  To restore color to your area, you will need to find orchids in flower that have a different flowering season.  Generally, garden centers at Home Depots or Lowes carry orchid plants-- different types blooming at different times of the year.  You also can mail order orchids in bloom or bud.