Do I need to fertilize to get flowers?

Yes, use a balanced orchid fertilizer at half strength every two weeks during the active growing season. This provides the energy needed for the plant to produce those complex blooms.

How long do the flowers last?

The flowers are quite short lived, usually lasting only 3 to 5 days. Their unique structure and scent are meant to attract specific pollinators quickly.

Why is my Coryanthes speciosa not blooming? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Check your light levels to ensure they are bright enough for an orchid.
Monitor your nighttime temperatures to see if they are dropping enough.
Examine the base of the plant for any signs of developing flower spikes.

Likely causes

Insufficient Light
Most likely
How to tell: The leaves look dark green rather than a healthy olive green, and the plant shows no signs of new growth spikes.
What to do: Move your orchid to a spot with brighter, filtered light. It needs strong indirect light for 12 to 14 hours a day to trigger flower production.
Lack of Temperature Drop
Most likely
How to tell: The plant is healthy and growing leaves, but never produces a flower spike.
What to do: Provide a cooler temperature at night during the winter months. A drop of 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit compared to daytime temperatures is essential to signal the plant to bloom.

Find out what's wrong with your bucket orchid

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

It is normal for young plants to take several years to reach blooming size. Only worry if your mature plant has been in the same spot for over a year without any spikes.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain consistent, bright light year round and ensure the plant gets a cooler rest period in the winter.

Keep your bucket orchid healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Do I need to fertilize to get flowers?: Yes, use a balanced orchid fertilizer at half strength every two weeks during the active growing season. This provides the energy needed for the plant to produce those complex blooms.
How long do the flowers last?: The flowers are quite short lived, usually lasting only 3 to 5 days. Their unique structure and scent are meant to attract specific pollinators quickly.

Why is my Coryanthes speciosa not blooming?