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I'm amazed at how long orchids can flower

Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
in Plants
Back in July I thought I'd treat myself to my first orchid.
Here it is in flower when I bought it in mid-July


and it's still got the same flowers plus many more today 5 MONTHS later!!
Not a single flower has yet dropped
I'm so impressed
Here it is today


Billericay - Essex

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    One happy orchid!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    :) and a very happy orchid owner too.
    I had no idea the flowers lasted so long or that they are so easy to keep

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    You must be giving it just the right conditions.  Ours don't last anything like that long, but some are just coming back into flower now. 
    AB Still learning

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    We bought a friend a lovely white one on her wedding day and it wasn't without flowers for the next 6 years.
    Devon.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Hostafan1 said:
    We bought a friend a lovely white one on her wedding day and it wasn't without flowers for the next 6 years.
    Wow! Impressive. That is amazing.

    I would love to know the secret to this.
    Position/temp/watering/feeding...anything to help.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    My flowers last for about three months at a time.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I've had beginners luck by the sound of it.
    I've now got to build up resistance to buying more (I recently bought another 2)
    But I can't think of any plant I've grown that's had the same flowers on it for more than 5 months now.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited December 2021
    My orchids were on a north facing window sill and I don't think got enough indirect sun. If you can keep the multiple flowering stems, it will help keep the plant covered in flowers. You don't need to cut the whole thing back when the flowers go over.

    I found it hard to promote more than one or two stems after cutting them back. I'm not sure how growers get multi stems to appear.

    You seem not be overwatering the plant, which is a key thing.

     - -
    I think my longest flowering plant is (outdoor) abutlion Nabob which has has been covered in flowers since May and shows no sign of slowing down now. It seems to have a rest in late winter. It's quite remarkable, esp as it's supposed to be a bit tender. Last year (its first year) it flowered its socks off straight through the snow and long frosts. Great value!
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We grow orchids and love the entended flowering time.
    When we want to buy flowers for friends we buy an orchid as this will last for so so so long.
    @Pete.8 enjoy your lovely orchid
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Thanks @bertrand-mabel I will.
    Just hoping the flowers will last over Christmas :)


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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