Orchid Care During Winter

Angaecoid orchid specimen

ORCHID CARE IN WINTER
Orchids bloom are most welcome in winter, brightening up the dreary cold days. Learn how to care for these beauties by reading our tips below through the winter so that your orchids will continue to provide pleasure in the years to come.

1. Orchids grow more slowly with less light and cooler temperatures. Sounds like winter alright! This means they will also need less water, and less food than in the brighter warmer summer months. Allow your orchid plants to dry out slightly unless they are in bloom, or like to be moist all the times, such as moth and slipper orchids. You will also find that they generally need less frequent watering than in the summer. Similarly, unless you orchid is actively producing new green growths, reduce the frequency of fertilizer applications to about once or twice a month.

2. Be sure to water your orchids early in the day so they are dry by nightfall. This is especially important in winter when cool damp conditions can result in greater incidence fungal and bacterial infections.

3. If you orchid is in bloom display it in a bright spot in your home. Warmer growing orchids such as phals (moth orchids) like temperatures at above 65 degrees at all times. Cymbidiums, which are widely available in bloom aduring winter, thrive under cooler conditions of about 55-65 degrees, or even less. Remember that dry air can quickly cause buds to drop so be sure to run a humidifier near your plants, or keep them away from vents, fireplaces, and other sources of dry heat. B sure to keep flowering orchids well watered.

See our tips for getting your orchids to bloom

Missed our Fall feature? Click here.

Paph BabyFace 'Dijon' is a cooler growing orchid that should bloom happily with temperatures of
60-70 degrees.