will orchid stems grow back?

One of the most popular houseplants to grow, orchids are easy to maintain so long as they are provided with the correct conditions.

You need to ensure that these beauties from the tropics enjoy the best light and temperature and that you water them carefully, and they will reward your care and attention with their distinctive, beautiful blooms in myriad colors.

But even if you follow all of the advice on orchid care, you might still be faced with their stems turning yellow. So why is this, and should it be a cause for concern? Read on to find out ...

There is no denying that orchids are among the best indoor flowering plants – and deservedly so.

'Orchids are the #1 houseplant and have been for quite some time. They are so popular that they are even found in grocery stores,' agrees Art Chadwick of Chadwick & Son Orchids Inc of Powhatan, Virginia.

So it can be a little disheartening when, after you've nurtured them for months on end, positioned them in a prime spot, and carefully researched how to water orchids correctly, to find their stems looking less than healthy..

'Why is my orchid stem turning yellow? Is it something I have or haven't done right?' you may be asking yourself. There are also a number of reasons for an orchid wilting.

'We get a lot of questions from new enthusiasts about orchid care. In most cases, an orchid stem turns yellow because the flowers have finished blooming. No need to panic as this is the normal course of action,' advises Art.

So you can relax in the knowledge that it is probably not due to lack of or overzealous care on your part as the reason for the orchid stem turning yellow – it's just part of the plant's natural life cycle.

'If the orchid is sympodial, such as a Paphiopedilum or Phragmipedium orchid, it is normal for the old stem to be yellow as it dies back after blooming. If the plant is healthy, there should be evidence of new stems growing from the base,' explains advises Amy Malin, secretary of the Orchid Society of Great Britain.

That said, 'if the orchid spike has not yet bloomed but is starting to yellow, this could be a sign of nutrient deficiency, stress, rot, or cold damage. In this case, I would take a look at the entire plant, its circumstances, and its surroundings. Does the plant have healthy green leaves and a good root system? Is it a recent purchase that may have undergone transport stress? Is orchid fertilizer used on the plant? If it is close to a door or a drafty window, try moving it further away,' Amy adds.

'If it is a monopodial orchid, for instance, a Phalaenopsis, which grows from one single stem, the yellowing could be caused by too much direct light, in which case the orchid would need to be moved to an area with a more indirect light source. This is likely if the yellowing only appears on the side of the orchid closest to the window,' Amy continues.

'If the affected area feels mushy, it is likely to be a rot issue. Rot can be treated by removing affected leaves and applying ground cinnamon to affected areas of the stem. It is a good idea to check the orchid's crown, leaves, and roots for an indication of what the problem could be. If there is evidence of pests, the yellowing could be caused by pest damage.'

Yes, you should cut off the yellow stem on your orchid as it will not produce any more flowers.

'When the flowers have finished on an orchid, the flower stem will naturally start to die off and turn from green to yellow, to brown. So it is just the stem naturally dying back and can be trimmed right down to the base,' advises  Sara Rittershausen of orchid specialists Burnham Nurseries.

This is how to get an orchid to rebloom, but be careful when you do trim the stems, and ensure you know how to prune orchids so that you don't snip off more than you should.

'If the orchid is a Phalaenopsis orchid and the spike has only just begun to yellow from the top, you can try cutting off the yellowing part. If there are still healthy available nodes on the spike, it may produce a secondary spike,' explains Amy Malin.

'The plant will take a break from flowering to grow some new leaves and then will produce a brand new stem from the base when ready, given the correct culture,' Sarah Rittershausen adds.

In some cases, it might also be necessary to repot orchids at the same time.

The simple answer is that yes, your orchid will grow a new stem.

'Orchids are the ultimate perennial in that they come back into bloom year after year – forever – if taken care of. My father had many plants over a century old, with detailed records of their annual blooming cycles,' advises Art Chadwick of Chadwick and Son Orchids.

Patience is the key when growing orchids. 'It is a waiting game for the grower, as most orchids bloom for several months and come back into bloom in about a year,' adds Art.

Orchids will grow new stems, fortunately. You can propagate a new Phalaenopsis or Vanda orchids from stem cuttings. Or you can divide a cattleya's rhizomes. You can also expect a flower spike to grow back after cutting it down when its blooms die.

The life cycle of an orchid can be divided into six distinct stages: seed germination, root growth, leaf production, flower spike growth, blooming, and dormancy. Here is a closer look at each of these stages, and what your orchid may need during each of them.

The first stage in the life cycle of an orchid is seed germination. This is when the orchid seedling starts to grow and develop. The process of seed germination can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the type of orchid and the environmental conditions.

This stage is known as keiki development. Keiki is the Hawaiian word for “baby,” which is fitting because during this stage, the orchid looks like a miniature version of its adult self. The keiki will continue to grow and develop until it reaches maturity and blooms for the first time.

During this stage, your orchid needs general care, regular watering, and good vibes.

Root growth happens mostly under the soil, but orchids are epiphytic plants, meaning they grow on other plants or objects. They have aerial roots that attach themselves to their host plant or object. These aerial roots are important in providing the plant with nutrients and support.

During the root growth stage, the orchid will produce new growths from its root system. These new growths, called pseudobulbs, will typically grow to be about 6-8 inches tall. The pseudobulbs will then produce leaves that are about 12 inches long. The leaves of the orchid are thin and leathery, and they help to collect water and nutrients for the plant.

In this stage, your plant would benefit from regular fertilizing to ensure the roots get the nutrients they need to grow strong and support the plant that is soon to grow.

It takes an orchid plant about a year to produce a new leaf. The time it takes for the leaf to mature varies depending on the species of orchid, but is generally between four and eight months.

Orchids produce leaves from a meristem, which is a region of actively dividing cells. The cells in the meristem divide and grow rapidly, causing the orchid plant to elongate. As the plant grows taller, the leaves begin to emerge from the tips of the stems.

Once an orchid leaf has fully matured, it will remain attached to the stem for the rest of the plant’s life cycle. Orchid leaves are typically dark green in color and have a leathery texture. They are also quite narrow, which helps them minimize water loss in hot and dry conditions.

During this stage, maintain a regular watering and fertilizing schedule to optimize leaf growth.

After the stem and very first set of leaves grow, a flower spike will start to grow. This process can take about three months, but like most plants, timing depends on the type of orchid you have.

A flower spike looks like a stem growing with nodes and is a sure sign that flowering is on the way. Many people use the terms “stem” and “flower spike” interchangeably, since it is technically a stem that holds a flower. Once the flower spike has grown to its full length, it’s time for flowering.

If a flower spike has broken off, or you’ve accidentally cut it off thinking it was an aerial root, your plant can still bloom again, so don’t worry! It can take an orchid a few months to grow a new stem after one has been cut off or broken off. Just make sure to cut it down to the bottom of the stem to signal to the plant to grow a new one.

Once you’ve noticed the flower spike growing, your orchid should bloom in about 2-3 months. During the blooming stage, the plant produces flowers that are typically large and showy. The blooming stage can last for several weeks or months, depending on the species of orchid. After the flowers fade, the plant enters a period of dormancy.

Orchids typically bloom once a year, although some species may bloom more than once. The blooming process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. You may get lucky and have an orchid that will bloom twice in one year!

Once the blooms fall off, it is important to properly care for the plant to ensure that it continues to thrive.

After the flowers fall off, cut back the stem a few inches above where the blooms were. This will encourage new growth. Be sure to remove any dead or dying leaves as well. It is also important to continue watering and fertilizing the plant on a regular basis.

Keep up on your plants basic needs, and don’t forget to tackle any pest problems head-on, because they could be detrimental to your orchid. Additionally, if you live in an area with cooler winters, you may need to provide extra warmth for your orchid during this time. With proper care, you’ll be able to enjoy more blooms year after year.

It can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years for an orchid to rebloom. The process begins when the plant starts to produce new growth. Once the new growth matures, the plant will start to produce blooms. The length of time it takes for an orchid to rebloom depends on the type of plant and the conditions it is growing in.

If an orchid reblooms on the same stem, it will do so within six to eight weeks after the initial bloom. The best way to encourage reblooming is to keep the plant healthy and well-watered, but ultimately, it’s up to the individual plant to say whether it will rebloom on the same stem or not. You can always hold off on trimming down the stem after the bloom falls off if you want to give your plant a chance to give a second bloom.

After your orchid has put all of its energy into blooming, the plant’s growth slows down and it may even stop completely. This is the dormancy period, and many orchid owners mistake this period as the death of their plant. The leaves may yellow and fall off, and the stem may become thinner.

This is a normal part of the orchid’s life cycle, and it doesn’t mean that the plant is dying. In fact, dormancy is important for the plant because it allows it to rest and rejuvenate itself. After a period of dormancy, the orchid will start to grow again and bloom.

During the dormancy period, just be patient and allow your plant to rest. Continue to water it, but give it more time in between watering to ensure you’re not giving it too much. You’ll also want to cut back on fertilizing your plant to prevent fertilizer burn, as your plant is not going to be using as many nutrients during this time.

The average lifespan of an orchid that is kept indoors is around three to five years. However, with the proper care, some species of orchids can live much longer. For example, the Phalaenopsis orchid has a lifespan of around ten years. Of course, in its natural habitat, orchids can live up to 20 years, sometimes more!

The amazing thing about orchids is how easy they are to propagate and make new orchids from. This plant produces its own propagation super-seeds called pseudobulbs, and they form at the base of the original plant. A pseudobulb is a thickened, fleshy growth that forms at the base of the plant. This pseudobulb stores water and nutrients, which help the main plant to survive during periods of drought.

Once the pseudobulb has formed, the plant will start to produce new leaves. These leaves are much narrower than the older leaves, and they are often lighter in color. The new leaves help to photosynthesize and produce food for the plant.

After the new leaves have fully developed, the plant will begin to produce flowers. The flowers are typically white or pale pink, and they have a sweet scent that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies when grown outside. Once the flowers are pollinated, they will develop into seed pods.

The seed pods will eventually burst open, releasing thousands of tiny seeds into the air. These seeds will eventually settle on the ground and germinate, producing new orchids that will start the cycle all over again, but don’t worry! This won’t happen when the plant is kept inside. Remember, the flowers must be pollinated for them to produce seeds.

While orchids can live for many years in the wild, most potted orchids have a shorter lifespan. Depending on the species and cultivar, as well as growing conditions, potted orchids can live anywhere from a few months up to ten years. The type of orchid you have as well as how it is cared for will affect the lifespan of your plant.

With proper care, many potted orchids can bloom repeatedly for years. In general, small-flowered orchid species have a shorter lifespan than large-flowered species. More fragile hybrid cultivars also tend to have shorter lifespans than hardier ones.

Some of the factors that affect an orchid’s lifespan include:

By giving your orchid a high-quality orchid potting soil, using a proper orchid food every time you water it, ensuring it is on a good watering schedule, and proper pest control, you’ll help your orchid live as long as possible, and produce as many beautiful blooms as it can.

Another factor of an orchid’s overall health is the temperature of the room where it is kept. While orchids are pretty hardy when it comes to temperature, they can still get temperamental when the temperature isn’t ideal. They like temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees, but they can tolerate cooler or hotter temperatures for short periods of time.

An orchid blooms for about 6-8 weeks, after which the flowers will start to fade, and you may not see another bloom until the next year. This may seem like a lot of work to keep an orchid alive for such a short bloom time, but many orchid plant owners say it is more than worth it.

Orchid blooms are some of the most beautiful flowers there are, and the fragrance they give off has been described as heavenly. See where your orchid is in its life cycle and enjoy your beautiful plant for as many years as it will give you! Don’t forget to propagate it so you can continue to enjoy those beautiful blooms even after your original plant decides to stop blooming.

In our Facebook group of orchid lovers, we’re dedicated to creating a rich and engaging environment where plant lovers can come together and share tips, tricks, and experiences.

If you’re an orchid lover, come join our Facebook community! We can’t wait to celebrate your successes and help you troubleshoot your care routine.

Orchids are great additions to any home or garden because of the flowers.

Apart from the beauty, the orchid flowers also offer a good fragrance. The flowers bloom from the stem part known as flower spikes.

Spikes are parts of the stem where flower buds and flowers grow. This guide will show you how to regrow an orchid stem.

Orchids usually grow their new spikes up to twice a year. However, many people uproot the orchids once the spikes stop growing.

Also, the spikes may be damaged for many reasons. The main one is withering after the flowers are done blooming.

Orchids bloom once or twice a year. The type of orchid you are growing determines how easy or difficult it is to have it bloom.

Out of all the orchid varieties, Phalaenopsis orchids easily grow new spikes and rebloom at home.

To help orchids grow new spikes, keep them in a bright location with indirect sunlight. Fertilize the orchid, and cut off the withered spikes. Water adequately and induce the blooming in winter.

There are various steps I need to take to help my orchids to grow new spikes and rebloom:

Orchids need bright indirect light to thrive. They are not happy in a low-light situation. Therefore choosing a wester- or eastern-facing window is ideal.

Put your orchids close to a window, as light falls off drastically when moving a couple of feet back.

Use an orchid fertilizer about once a month to fertilize the orchids after they drop the last flowers.

It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using fertilizer to avoid harming my plants and ensure they are in their best health.

Also, remember to keep the orchid in a location that offers bright and indirect light.

We have the option to cut or leave orchid flower spikes to be.

There are three options for cutting my orchid spikes.

Related: Why is the orchid stem yellow?

I also need to water my orchids as per the instructions on the care tag.

A standard-sized phalaenopsis needs watering every 10 to 14 days, while a mini phalaenopsis need water every 7 to 10 days.

Watering my orchids less is usually better. Ensure the orchid’s potting medium is almost dry before watering it to prevent overwatering and product systems.

We need to wait a few months after cutting the flower spike before the spiking starts.

A new fully grown leaf shows that my orchids are recovered and are ready to bloom.

The new leaves are usually as big or even bigger than the others on the orchids.

My orchids need low temperatures to develop new flower spikes. Ensure they are at room temperature at night ranging from  55-65 degrees Fahrenheit.

I may also want to place the plant close to a window away from the heater. I’ve got a better chance of producing flower spikes in the winter.

A new flower spike develops after a month or so. At first, it looks like an aerial root.

After the Orchard starts to develop spikes, I can return it to a location with a room temperature of about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and indirect light.

The Orchid will grow tall after a few months and develop new flowers.

I may need a steak and a loose tie to support the orchid after the spike gets about 5 inches tall.

Try adjusting the location of my choice if I don’t get a flower spike a few months later. It could be because it lacks enough light or cool temperatures.

I need to identify my flower spike first before I can help it grow. It is useful, especially when I have to cut off the withering spikes.

Also, people often confuse them with aerial roots.

The orchid spikes easily grow on the sides of their plant. The sprout in between the leaves is under and above each of the leaves.

Also, they are pointy and thin and usually look like a mitten.

Orchid spikes are also green, and the roots do not have the glossy appearance of aerial roots.

If I have phalaenopsis orchids, their flower spikes will appear in autumn or winter when the temperatures are low.

Moreover, orchid spikes usually grow towards the light source, unlike the aerial roots, which incline in all directions.

The new sprouts of the orchard spikes have a pointy tip, unlike the aerial roots, which have a rounded tip.

Orchids have attractive flowers with beautiful fragrances.

However, the flower spikes may wither after the blooming, and I may want to help the orchids rebloom rather than get rid of the plants. Trimming the withering orchid spikes almost at the base is the best way to help my orchids rebloom. Also, expose the plants to cool temperatures and bright indirect lighting.

You can get your orchid to push out new spikes if you consistently give it the conditions that it needs to flower. In this handy how-to guide, we'll break down everything that you need to know about growing orchids and getting them to form new spikes for more of those big, gorgeous blooms.

So, first of all, what exactly are spikes? Spikes are the part of the orchid where the flowers and buds grow. Sometimes, spikes can be confused for aerial roots. Orchid roots (which need little soil) tend to be rounder at the tip and less green. In contrast, spikes feature pointy, thin shapes with mitten-shaped tips, eventually growing anywhere between 4 to 6 inches tall.

If you notice a spike forming, be patient; this fixture on your orchid can take around three months to grow. For healthy spikes, you’ll want to have a healthy orchid in the first place. Generally speaking, the younger your plant, the less likely it will be to put out multiple spikes.

Due to different genetics, some orchids may be predisposed to growing multiple spikes, while others will only push out one set of blooms per growing season. Spikes usually wither away with spent flowers, but that may not always be the case.

Step 1: To encourage spike growth, give your orchid lots of bright, indirect light.

Step 2: Water the orchid well and give a moderate amount of plant food. See our tips below on choosing the right fertilizer.

While you can't actually make your orchid grow a new spike, here are a few ideas to help encourage it.

Orchid spikes usually grow when days are short and the temperatures drop during the autumn and winter. The sweet spot for inducing blooms in orchids is generally around 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If you keep your orchid indoors, it might not experience cold enough temperatures to develop flowers. There are a few things that you can do to give your plant the cool temperatures it needs to grow new spikes.

Step 1: If you take your orchid outside to get some chilly air, just remember to bring it in when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: If you keep the plant indoors, place it in a cool area of your home — close to a cold window is ideal.

Step 3: Turning on the air conditioning may help, but keep an eye out for drafts that could damage your orchid.

After your orchid has bloomed, you can cut off the flower spike to redirect your plant’s energy towards healthy growth.

Though it’s worth a shot trying out this technique, note that not every orchid collector believes that this method works. Some believe that keeping old spikes leaves the orchid with the potential for more blooms. (This is especially true if your orchid grows another spike in addition to its original one.) This camp of growers is more focused on maximizing factors such as light, temperature, and fertilizing.

Step 1: If you’re working with a healthy stalk, use sterilized scissors or pruning shears to cut directly beneath the lowest flower and above the next node.

Step 2: If the spike is withered or yellowing, cut the spike from the base of the plant.

Step 3: However you choose to cut your orchid spikes, make sure to use clean and sterile pruning shears or scissors to avoid spreading any fungal or bacterial diseases.

Orchids can survive without food, but you may run into deficiencies at some point. Luckily, you won’t need too much fertilizer to keep your plant happy; in fact, over-fertilizing can lead to burnt leaves and roots, so you’ll want to dilute your plant food with water and go for quarter-strength feeding.

Step 1: To encourage orchid spikes, apply a balanced fertilizer during the growing season and a bloom-boosting formula during the fall.

Step 2: If the orchid spikes look leggy, try giving them a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to help your plant form thicker ones.

While orchids can be tricky to figure out, you can get yours to spike and bloom by adjusting some factors. After starting with a healthy plant, try placing your orchid in lower temperatures, cutting spent spikes, and upping your fertilizer dosage. With patience and persistence, you’ll be on your way to enjoying beautiful orchid blooms once more.

You’ve enjoyed your orchid for several months and now the flowers are wilting and dropping.  It is time to trim the orchid stem to allow the orchid to regenerate and prepare to re-bloom.

If buying an orchid, letting it flower, and then throwing it in the trash after the flowers have faded is not your profile, read on. I am the same way. I just can’t throw all that potential in the garbage. The orchid is not dead. If given proper care, it will flower again. Once the flowers are spent, it is time to trim the orchid stem and wait for a new flower spike to emerge.

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Before using the scissors, make sure they’ve been sanitized. This may seem like an unnecessary step, but it will help keep your orchids healthy by preventing viruses and other pathogens from being passed between orchids. Think of yourself as a sort of orchid doctor 🙂  There are two ways to accomplish this: rubbing alcohol or a flame.

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Orchid Bliss

Let’s talk about the Phalaenopsis orchid or moth orchid, the one you likely got from the grocery store. This is the only orchid that will rebloom on the same stalk. All other orchids will bloom again, but not from the same stalk. All other orchids can be trimmed at the base of the flower stalk.

There is one more point I want to be really clear about: Just trim the flower stalk, not the pseudobulbs. Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilums, and Vanda orchids don’t have pseudobulbs, but most other orchids do. For instance, if you are growing Dendrobiums or Cattleyas, don’t cut the flower stalk off at the base of the plant, just trim the flower stalk. If you see a bulge in the stem, that is a pseudobulb and you don’t want to cut that. If there are leaves growing off a stalk, don’t cut that.

If the spike is dying and looks brown, trim the stem at the base of the plant.  In the image below, I am trimming the flower spike of my Cymbidium. As this orchid blooms annually, I will have to wait until next year for more flower spikes to grow. After the flowers fall off the stem starts to die, the stalk is ready to be cut at the base.

If you are lucky enough to have a double-spike Phalaenopsis orchid, cut one spike at the base and cut the other spike about an inch below the last flower.

If the flower spike is a healthy green color, one option is to find the node just below the lowest flower and prune it about an inch above the node.  Another flower spike may emerge, though the flowers will be smaller and less plentiful than they were previously.

Another option is to trim the spike near the base, with the option of leaving just a couple of nodes.  Usually, within 2-3 months new growth will appear and buds will form.  Remember that younger or weaker plants may not re-bloom.  Phalaenopsis with branching stalks will grow up from the base.  It never hurts to trim 2 nodes above the base of the plant and hope for the best. If the stalk dies, you can always trim it down of the stalk dies.

My personal recommendation is to count a  couple of notches up from the bottom and make your cut.  Phalaenopsis orchids are tough and can handle another blooming.  If the spike comes up from the base instead of blooming from the cut spike, you’ve lost nothing.

Dendrobiums are great because once the blooms are spent, the flowers can be snipped off and more buds will form. This cycle repeats until the orchid’s flowering cycle ends and the rest period begins, in preparation to bloom again. Pictured below is my Dendrobium orchid. After the flowers fade, I will trim the stalk just below the flower cluster to encourage more buds.

For Dendrobiums, trim just at the base of the flower cluster, not the base of the plant. If you’re cutting down to where leaves and pseudobulbs are growing, you’re cutting too far.

Discover more about keeping your orchid’s leaves and roots healthy by grabbing your free cheat sheet. Click here to grab your cheat sheet to learn how to grow healthier orchids. It will be super helpful.