Just Add Ice Orchids can tolerate a fairly broad temperature range but do best with daytime temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and overnight temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees.
Follow these tips to maintain optimal orchid-growing temperatures in your home:
- Adjust your thermostat so the temperature is lower at night than during the day. To thrive, orchids need a change between day and night temperatures. Consider installing a programmable thermostat that allows you to pre-program temperature settings for different times of day.
- Plastic curtains can be hung across windows to create a more ideal orchid growing environment that is warmer during the day and cooler at night. Try using shower curtain liners which are inexpensive and compact enough to hang behind decorative drapes.
- When you choose a display spot for your orchid, take advantage of natural air currents that cause hot air to rise and cold air to sink. Orchids that prefer a higher temperature can be placed on high shelves or on top of tall furniture where air is warmer. Orchids that thrive at cooler temperatures can be placed on low tables or on the floor where temperatures are cooler.
- If you keep your orchids on a window sill, move them away from the window glass or relocate them during the cold winter months. Orchid flowers and leaves should not be exposed to drafts of extremely cold outdoor air.
- Using a fan to circulate room air will help keep your orchid’s environment at an even temperature, as well as providing the healthy air circulation necessary for optimal orchid growth. During both the winter and summer months, fans can also be used to draw warm or cool air (depending on the season) from other parts of your house into your orchid plant’s habitat.
Photo Credit: Kalle Schärlund
