Most folks 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 requirements.

Orchids come from a wide variety of environments which differ from one another in almost every respect. 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 will then begin to push up their young shoots as soon as the days lengthen and the sun gains increased power.

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. The orchids from the East Indies tend to require the most heat. Inside, maintain the air temperature around them at 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 70 degrees at day. Outside, they will do well at up to 75 degrees early in the season; temps as high as 85 or even 90 are acceptable during the summer. However, direct sun rays can harm the plants, so be sure to shade them at these times.

Wherever therefore any of these East Indian orchids are growing the atmosphere should be well supplied with moisture. Mist abundantly! As well, you can simply pour water over the tables and paths of your greenhouse or other growing area. If you can do this every day, it will result in a nice moist heat to rise and constantly surround your plants.

Brazilian orchids come from a cooler climate one that is not so highly saturated with moisture. They of course require less heat and less moisture but they do need a considerable degree of warmth during their growing season. The same may be said about most of the orchids originating in Mexico. 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 there are the so-called cool orchids, which ideally should be kept in a separate growing area. These plants come from such places as Ecuador and Peru, and similiar regions, where they are found high up on the mountainsides. These require generally 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. You can easily kill the cool orchids with too much heat!

There are numerous other groupings and subgroups of orchids, too many to cover them in this short post. If you want to learn more, the best and most thorough guide to modern orchid growing, beyond question, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which may be downloaded on the web. Now, there are lots of books about orchids but Mr. Howard’s guide constitutes a complete education all to itself. And, you will find it suitable for novices as well as more seasoned orchid cultivators. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of postings on all aspects of orchids.