After months of stealing the show on your windowsill, seeing the last flower drop from your orchid can feel a little deflating.
But it doesn't mean your orchid's best days are behind it. With the right aftercare, many orchids will flower again year after year.
Here's what experts recommend doing once your orchid has finished flowering – including when to prune, repot and water it, plus how to encourage healthy growth and future blooms.
Should you cut back an orchid after flowering?
One of the first questions many orchid owners ask is whether to cut back the flower spike once the blooms have faded. The answer depends on the type of orchid you're growing.
For moth orchids, RHS horticulturist Tony Le-Britton says there are two options. "You can either cut it back to the first node after where the flowers are," which will encourage "a second spike. Usually a lot smaller."
Alternatively, Tony says he prefers cutting the flower spike back before the first node. "What's going to do is allow the plant to recover, replenish, produce more leaves, and therefore produce more energy. So when the next flowers come, you'll get a much larger and longer-lasting bloom."
For many other indoor orchid varieties, it's best to wait until the flower spike has turned brown before removing it completely.
How and when to repot orchids after flowering
If your orchid's roots look crowded or the compost smells sour, it's probably time to repot. The RHS says moth orchids can be repotted at any time of year, provided the roots have active green tips. After flowering is an especially good time, as the plant is no longer directing energy into its blooms.
Tony says many people "get a little worried about repotting plants and especially orchids." Fortunately, clear plastic pots make it easy to tell when it's time: "If you look down to the bottom here, you'll see that the substrate, the bark that it grows in, is starting to decompose."
The RHS also recommends changing the compost entirely every couple of years, as bark-based orchid composts deteriorate over time. Once it starts to break down, it holds moisture for longer, increasing the risk of roots becoming waterlogged and developing root rot. Fresh compost restores the airy, free-draining conditions orchid roots need.
Should you cut aerial roots on orchids?
If your orchid has roots growing above the compost, leave them alone. The RHS says they're a normal part of the plant and cutting or burying them can cause unnecessary stress.
Tony explains that these exposed roots are doing more than anchoring the plant. "The colour of the roots here that have been on the outside of the pot and above the pot, they've got a green tinge. And that's because in Phalaenopsis orchids not only do the leaves photosynthesise, but the roots can, too."
How to water and feed orchids after flowering
Once flowering stops and growth slows, orchids generally need watering less often. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew advises watering only when the pot feels light and the compost is dry. As growth slows, particularly during winter, water more sparingly.
For moth orchids, Tony says the roots provide the best clue. "The roots of an orchid tell you when it needs watering. The roots... should go a silvery grey... when it needs watering and when it's watered enough, they'll be green."
Kew recommends feeding every other watering during the active growing season. From October to March, switching to a fertiliser designed for blooming orchids, or tomato fertiliser diluted to half strength, can help encourage reflowering.
How to get orchids to bloom again
Getting the light right is just as important. As Tony explains, "The best position for an orchid is somewhere bright."
He recommends an east or west-facing windowsill, a north-facing windowsill, or placing the plant a couple of metres back from a south-facing window. "If you can get a little bit of direct sun on its leaves, either early in the morning or in the evening, it's going to be most happy."
With the right aftercare, there's every chance your orchid will flower again. As Tony puts it, "Orchids do not have to be disposable. They're really easy to care for and to get to reflower year after year."
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