Even beginners can successfully grow orchids if they take the time to learn about the differences between the major groupings of these wonderful plants, as well as their varied needs.
Orchids originate within a tremendous variety of environments which differ from one another in many respects. As a result, you will find that some species produce their flowers early in spring, others in summer and yet others during the dull days of winter. Their respective times of beginning their seasonal growth also vary, but for convenience you may rest all of your orchids in the winter. Most of them will start pushing up shoots as soon as the days begin to lengthen and the earth begins warming.
When your orchids are in their growing periods, you should treat them differently with respect to heat, according to their native origins. The East Indian orchids do love heat. Inside, maintain the air temperature around them at 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 70 degrees at day. In the outdoors they will thrive at up to 75 degrees in the early spring. During the hottest parts of summer they will tolerate temperatures as high as 85 or 90. Nevertheless, you should shade the plants from the direct rays of the sun.
Wherever therefore any of these East Indian orchids are growing the atmosphere should be well supplied with moisture. Mist often! You can also splash water over the paths and tables in your greenhouse or other growing area. Do this every morning and afternoon and it will cause a nice moist heat to rise.
Brazilian orchids actually come from a cooler climate, one in which the air is not nearly as moisture-saturated. These, natrually, need both less heat and less moisture, but they do require warmth during the peak growing time. Mexican orchids are similar. They should be heated artificially to approximately 60 degrees at night and 65 or 70 by day during the spring. As the days lengthen, temps may be allowed to increase. During approximately May through August the night heat may range between 65 and 70 and
by day from 70 to 85.
Then we come to the so-called cool orchids, which should be grown in an area to themselves, if possible. These plants come from such places as Ecuador and Peru, and similiar regions, where they are found high up on the mountainsides. These must be maintained at lower temperatures. You might try a range of 45 to 55 degrees during the winter, and 50 to as high as 65 during the summer. However you grow them, you must ensure that they are shaded from the sun most of the time. Too much heat is really dangerous to the family of cool orchids!
There are many other groupings and subgroupings of these plants, too many to go over them in this short post. If you want to learn more, the best and most complete guide to modern orchid growing, hands down, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which may be downloaded online. There are many books on the subject of orchids, but Mr. Howard's wonderful guide will provide a thorough education on the subject. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of postings on all aspects of orchids.
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