Pots of Phalaenopsis orchids appear at one of Hong Kong’s largest orchid farms located at Hong Kong’s rural New Territories on Jan. 14, 2021. Not so long ago, orchids were regarded as rare and exotic. But these days, thanks to new propagation techniques, certain varieties are mass-produced. Moth orchids, or Phalaenopsis, gorgeous but common with sweet patterned faces, are widely sold by supermarkets and other retailers.
An orchid purchased at Trader Joe’s grocery store that has rebloomed is pictured in March in Atlanta. Once the flowers on an orchid die, though it’s tempting to toss the plant, that orchid can bloom again.
Two small inexpensive orchids awaiting rebloom are pictured in March in an apartment in the Brooklyn borough of New York. These plants were in flower last year. Orchid flowers can last for weeks, but once they shed their blossoms, it can take a year for them to rebloom. Getting the right amount of water, along with sunlight and temperature, is key to their regrowth.
The Cymbidium Red Beauty ‘Carmen,’ an orchid on display at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show in early 2020.
The Phalaenopsis hybrid, an orchid on display at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, in February 2020.
Not so long ago, orchids were regarded as rare and exotic. But these days, thanks to new propagation techniques, certain varieties are mass-produced. Moth orchids, gorgeous but common, with sweet patterned faces, are widely sold by supermarkets and other retailers.
In fact, orchids are now “the most popular blooming florist crop in the world,” says Marc Hachadourian, senior orchid curator at the New York Botanical Garden. “Not only are they beautiful, now bred in a rainbow of colors and patterns, they are ideal for the home and the blooms are long lasting.”
Indeed, orchid flowers can last for weeks. With so many of us stuck at home these days, they offer an easy, inexpensive way to brighten up a room.
Once the flowers die, it might be tempting to toss the plant. But you can get that $10 orchid to bloom again. In fact, coaxing an orchid to rebloom is a great pandemic project. There’s just one catch: The pandemic might be over by the time you succeed.
“Most of the orchids available for purchase bloom once a year,” said Blanche Wagner, orchid curator at the Missouri Botanical Garden, which has a world-renowned orchid collection that dates to the late 19th century. “It takes an amazing amount of energy to produce their blooms, and they need a full year to build up enough energy to flower again.”
She suggests putting a date-of-purchase tag on your orchids to keep your timetable for reblooming realistic.
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