How long will the flowers last?

[BUUZBEE]

I'm curious to know, how long do the flowers last on a healthy plant that is getting ideal conditions?

[FinnBar]

depends on the species, what do you have in mind?

[Ross]

Anywhere from a day or two all the way to months, depending on the type of orchid.

[BUUZBEE]

No one in particular. I just wondered if they bloom and a week later flowers fall off, if it was normal, or they were lacking in something. Do books about orchids list how long a bloom lasts for each type?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by BUUZBEE

Do books about orchids list how long a bloom lasts for each type?

I've not seen this listed except where flowers are extremely short lived or extremely long lived. Even some vendor sites will tell you this. Examples from my collection, which is mostly minis, particulary Angraecoids, is Aerangis hyaloids which has very short-lived blossoms. Takes months for the spikes to mature, then the blossoms pop out and fall off in 3-4 days. Then there is Epidendrum ellipticum which comes into spike rather quickly (in my opinion) then the spikes progressively blossom and form new blossoms and extend them selves and blossom again. Some of the Paphs can hold the same blossom for over a month. Phals tend to hold blossoms for a long time as well. If I had to average out all the types I grow (which actually doesn't make any sense ) I would say most will hold an individual blossom 3-4 weeks. Many will be longer. I hope this helps in some way - it's really hard to answer your question.

[BUUZBEE]

Thad did, thank you Ross

[lily99]

My paphs usually bloom for about a month, although the blooms seem to fade earlier if the plant gets too warm and dry. I have a white phal that has been blooming since September, but now the blooms are starting to fade.

[Ray]

The longest I've ever experienced was 10 months for a phal.

[shams]

Originally Posted by Ray

The longest I've ever experienced was 10 months for a phal.

You sure it wasn't made of silk? I WISH my flowers could last so long.

[cupcake]

My phals can bloom anything up to 9 months! Milts 3 months. Oncs 3 months, coels 2 months Why buy bunches of flowers? Tho I understand stanhopeas can last 24hrs.