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Will the Changing Seasons Affect Orchid Health?

October 7, 2014


The arrival of fall always seems to come with an element of excitement. Leaves begin to change, evenings get cozier and the holidays are right around the corner. It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of thick sweaters and pumpkin-flavored baked goods. However, before you jump headfirst into planning your Halloween costume, it’s important to consider your orchid’s changing needs. 

To help make sure your orchids make it through the changing seasons, we’ve compiled a short checklist for upcoming cooler weather. 

A Checklist for Your Orchid’s Needs as the Seasons Change 

  • Does your orchid have enough light? The sun’s pattern goes through a significant change from summer to fall. Daylight hours are shorter, and the sun doesn’t rise quite as high in the sky. This might affect how light comes in through the windows of your home. Make sure the room your Phalaenopsis orchid inhabits gets plenty of bright, indirect light
  • Do you need to supplement natural light? If your home doesn’t tend to get enough natural light during the day, you can supplement sunlight with lamps. While lamplight is not as healthy for your orchids as natural light, it can be a good substitute during darker days. 
  • Is the temperature of your home consistent? Your orchid thrives on consistency. A sudden change in temperature could cause bud and flower loss. Keep your thermostat between 65 and 80 degrees during the day and between 60 and 70 degrees during the night. 
  • Is your orchid near a vent, fan or outside door? There are places in your home that are more susceptible to changing temperature drafts: directly under a vent, in a room with a ceiling fan or near a door that opens to outside temperatures. Shield your orchid from bursts of warm or cold air by moving it to a less susceptible part of your home. 
  • Is the air in your home too dry? Cooler temperatures outside can reduce the humidity in your home. Phalaenopsis orchids do best in homes with humidity levels between 55 and 75 percent. Consider running a humidifier if the air in your home is too dry. You can also mist the leaves of your orchids to keep them from drying out—just be sure to mist in the morning so the leaves will be dry by the time the sun goes down. 

Running through this checklist as the seasons change can help to ensure your orchid remains healthy through the colder months and ready to bloom again come spring. 

Are you concerned about the health of your orchid’s leaves? Download our guide “Orchid Health: What Your Leaves Are Telling You” to learn more about what the state of your leaves can mean for the overall health of your plant. 

Leaf Guide