Welcome to Your Orchid Adventure Lesson 5 - Temperature and Humidity Requirements

Do you know what the ideal temperature range for your orchid is? This will depend upon factors such as:

·       Is it native to a tropical or sub-tropical climate?

·       In the wild, does it grow at sea-level or high up in the mountains?

·       Does it naturally grow in full sun or full shade?

·       Does the orchid prefer a dry or humid environment?

Knowing the correct temperature range for your orchid is critical because plant metabolism is controlled by enzymes which function best within a set temperature range. Enzymatic activity will slow or even stop outside this ideal range which can lead to stunted plant growth. At the optimal temperature, these enzymes will:

·       Make the process of plant respiration more efficient

·       Speed up photosynthesis

·       Improve nutrient uptake

Have you ever wondered what tells your orchid to start blooming? Most of us are just thrilled that our orchids are blooming and never stop to ask “why?”. There are actually two main cues that tell an orchid that it’s time to produce blooms. One of those is temperature, and the other is daylength.

Most orchid genera have a preferred daytime temperature range and a somewhat cooler preferred nighttime temperature range. As the seasons move from summer to winter, the temperature differential between daytime and nighttime temperatures increases. It is this change in temperature differential that cues some orchids to begin producing blooms. Often it only requires a 1 or 2 degree increase in the temperature differential to start blooming. Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the genera that use this blooming cue. So, it’s important that your Phalaenopsis orchids are in a location in your home where they can sense the change in temperature around them.

Other orchid genera, such as Cattleya, are looking for shorter daylight hours to begin blooming. For some species of Cattleya, the decrease in daylight hours can be as small as 10 minutes each day. So, make sure that your Cattleya orchids are in a location where they can sense the shortening of daylight. Finally, many genera use a combination of both of the cues to begin blooming. Make sure you are aware of what your orchid needs to produce its blooms.