Orchids flower more with 'chopstick' watering method | Express.co.uk

Self-proclaimed Tanner The Planter owns a plant shop with his beloved wife, so the pair know a thing or two about caring for houseplants. Taking to his YouTube channel, Tanner The Planter revealed his "chopstick method" to encourage orchids to bloom.

"This is how we water our orchids," he began. "Nothing is watered on a schedule." Instead of watering his orchids weekly, he utilises the "chopstick method" to see if the orchid requires watering. By placing the chopstick into the soil, you can then pull the chopstick out from the soil and press it lightly against your skin.

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If there is a hint of moisture, the likelihood is that your orchid plant doesn't require watering.

If, however, the chopstick comes out completely dry, then the orchid would benefit from watering.

"This chopstick method works especially well in soil or something that has fine particles," he said.

"Remember, you don't plant your orchid in typical house plant soil," he stated, adding that this will be the "typical routine until the orchid starts to flower".

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Once the orchid flowers, he will "keep doing the same thing", except there will be no fertiliser in the water.

The orchid is also put under Soltech indoor lights "for about 14 hours per day" to encourage blooming.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said orchids "can flower two or three times a year".

There's one "easy trick" to coax the orchid into blooming more than once throughout the year.

The RHS said: "Make sure that the temperature at night is lower than the day temperature."

Simply moving the plant into a cooler room in the evening, even if it's just by 5C, could encourage the orchid to bloom.

There is a caveat, however, as this primarily works best in autumn, although there's no harm in trying it throughout the whole year.

"Also, choose types that are most likely to rebloom," the RHS advised; good examples include the moth orchid and the slipper orchid.