How to Care For Orchids in Different Environments

By Carl Harrison


Many people love orchids because of their vast varieties and how delicate they are. Whether you are a novice gardener or an old pro, this flower is a big time favorite. Yet, many new gardeners worry that they don't have what it takes to make these flowers bloom. By following some simple care tips, the garden you want to create will be beautiful.

If you live in a temperate region, you're able to take your potted orchids outside during the summertime. The majority of cymbidiums along with Coelogynes, Dendrobiums and Encyclias thrive well in summertime conditions. However, if you have smaller orchid plants, it's best to leave them inside.

If you want your garden to look good and don't want to transfer plants from inside to outside, you can choose some terrestrial orchids that do well outdoors. Which ones?

- Cypripedium calceolus
- Cypripedium reginae
- Dactylorhiza

These are typically found in the areas of Europe and North America.

Caring For Orchids In A Temperate Environment

Summertime and Moisture

You should be mindful that summers in the temperate zone are generally hot and dry. It's important that any plants you have outside are watered regularly and done during the evening hours. Be sure to follow this rule so that new growth on your plant will be protected from the scorching summer sun. Keep roots cool so that the moisture on your roots stays on for longer periods of time during the summertime.

When you know rain is in your forecast, consider placing a tent over your orchids so that the medium does not get too soaked from the rain. However, you need to remove the tents once the rain is over. If not, the heat can get trapped under the tent, damaging your plants.

Mounting Plants In Lieu of Potted Plants

If you'd rather mount your orchids instead of potting them, there are several species that do well on bark. They include:

- Encyclia polybulbon
- Trichopilia tortilis
- Dendrobium miyakei
- Brassia verrucossa
- Laelia anceps
- Oncidium flexuosum

What you use to mount your orchids is going to depend on the species you plan to grow. For instance, you can use a piece of wood or bark. Keep in mind that you can add a hook to either one, which gives you the choice to hang your orchid plants down the road.

There are other things you will need when you want to mount your orchids. These include:

- Fishing line (or plastic coated wire)
- Gloves (you must wear these so that you do not get a fungal infection when you handle sphagnum moss)
- Sphagnum moss

Loosely put the moss around the plants roots as well as on the medium you are going to use. The moss cushions the roots and keeps it from getting damaged from whatever you use (string or wire) to hold the plant in its place.

You'll need to tie the moss you have to the bark but be gentle about it. You certainly don't want the plant to be loose so secure it. You want the root to get into the bark. If you have extra moss, trim it up to make it look better.

You can use the above procedure when you mount the plant to tree trunks or tree branches. You'll need to make sure you have enough water because they don't retain moisture like potted plants will.

Growing Orchids All Year in the Tropical Environment

In most tropical regions, it's not uncommon to find orchids growing all year. Some of them can be seen on tree trunks and/or branches. Types of orchids that survive in the shade and can handle the temperatures change of the day.

Are Orchids in Danger of Going Extinct

Every year, the tropics endure hurricanes, which have winds that can pull up orchids and damage them. Should the tree that the plants are on fall the orchids will quickly die. However, orchid societies will watch for weather events and rescue the plants to ensure their survival.


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