Orchid Growing Temperature

Orchids for Cooler Temperatures

• A cool-growing orchid is happiest within the average temperature range of 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit on a daily basis. Some tolerate going lower still and certainly all can tolerate brief bouts of higher temperature, but this range is their true comfort zone. Some cool-growing orchids cannot initiate a bloom cycle unless they spend four to six weeks in the 40 to 50 degree Fahrenheit range. This temperature drop acts as their alarm clock, telling them it's time to flower. Cool-growing orchids include cymbidiums, masdevallias, miltonias, odontoglossums, some lycastes and brassias.

Orchids for Intermediate Temperatures

• An intermediate-growing orchid is comfortable in the 55 to 85 degree Fahrenheit zone on average. Like their cool-growing compatriots, they tolerate brief bouts of time below or above this range, but this is where they are truly happy. Just like some of the cool-growing orchids, intermediate orchids sometimes need a temperature change to initiate bud development. This trigger varies from orchid to orchid but with the intermediate growers, it will fall well within normal household temperatures. Some intermediate-growing orchids are cattleya, laelia, oncidiums and the oncidium intergenerics, phragmipediums, some lycastes, ludisias and paphiopedilums.

Orchids for Warm Temperatures

• A warm-growing orchid can grow happily in temperatures ranging from 65 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate brief bouts of time below or above this range, but it is discouraged from blooming if it spends much time outside its comfort zone. The most readily available and reasonably priced orchid, the phalaenopsis or moth orchid, is a warm grower. Other warm-growing orchids are vandas, c, epidendrums, angraecums, some dendrobiums and some cattleya.

Temperature and its Effect on Orchid Culture

• Because there are so many different types of orchids, all with different cultural needs, it is difficult to draw general rules for successfully growing orchids. Generally, cooler temperatures will cause your plant to dry out more slowly than warm temperatures. Be particularly careful when growing cool-loving orchids that you do not over water them. Allow them time to dry down between waterings. Most orchids will not tolerate being too wet and their roots will rot quickly. Warm temperatures will dry your potting mix out quickly unless accompanied by high levels of humidity. Watch your warm-growing orchids so they do not become too dry. If your orchid stays too dry for too long, it believes itself to be in a drought and ceases plant growth and bud production.