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From Where Does Your Orchid Come? The Answer Is Vital To Keeping It Thriving
Even amateurs can successfully grow orchids if they take the time to learn about the differences between the major groupings of these exciting plants, as well as their different 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 require more heat than other kinds. Inside, keep the temps surrounding the plants at 65 degrees Fahrenheit during night and 70 during day. Outdoors they will thrive at up to 75 degrees in the early spring, and temperatures as high as 85 or even 90 are acceptable during the high summer months. Just be sure to shade the plants from the direct rays of the sun at these times.
East Indian-type orchids therefore must be well supplied with moisture from the air that surrounds them. 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. You could say the same about the majority of Mexican orchids as well. They should be artificially heated to about 60 degrees by night and from 65 to 70 by day early in the season. As days lengthen the temperature may be allowed to increase so that during the months of May through August the night heat may range from 65 to 70 and
by day from 70 to 85.
There are also the cool orchids, so called. These should be kept in a separate area from other orchids, if you can. These plants come from places such as Ecuador and Peru, where they grow high on mountainsides. You must grow these at a lower temperature. Try 45 to 55 degrees in the winter and 50 to 65 in the summer. Wherever you grow them, you should see that they are well shaded from the sun most of the time. Too much heat can prove deadly to the cool orchids!
There are numerous other groupings and subgroups of these plants, too many to cover them in this short article. If you want to learn more, the best and most complete guide to modern orchid growing, beyond question, 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 database of articles on all aspects of orchids.
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