Even beginners 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. The majority of these will begin pushing out shoots as soon as the earth begins warming up in the spring.
When orchids are in their growing periods (as opposed to their dormancy), they must be treated differently with respect to heat, based on where they originated. East Indian orchids love heat. Inside, maintain the air temperature around them at 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 70 degrees at 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. Nevertheless, you should shade the plants from the direct rays of the sun.
East Indian-type orchids therefore must be well supplied with moisture from the air that surrounds them. Mist frequently! As well, you can simply pour water over the tables and paths of your greenhouse or other growing area. A nice, moist, rising heat will be produced this way. Be sure and do it every day.
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. Orchids from Mexico are much the same. They should be artificially heated to about 60 degrees by night and from 65 to 70 by day early in the season. 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 between 70 and 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 originate in such places as Ecuador and Peru, where they grow high on mountainsides. These must be grown at lower temperatures. Try 45 to 55 degrees in the winter and 50 to 65 in the summer. However you grow them, you must ensure that they are shaded from the sun most of the time. Too much heat will prove a deadly foe to the cool orchids!
There are numerous other groupings and subgroupings of orchids, too many to cover them in a limited space. If you want to learn more, the best and most thorough 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 guide is a comprehensive course, and good for novices and more experienced growers alike. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of postings on all aspects of orchids.
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