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Could Drafts in my Home be Killing My Orchid?

December 28, 2012

orchid draftsThink about the household functions we all take for granted during the winter season – a window that lets in abundant sunlight, a vent that sends up dry heat from the floor and even a ceiling fan that circulates standing air. Then look at those functions from your orchid’s point of view.

  • That sunlit window may be producing rays that burn or scorch the leaves and buds.
  • That heating vent may be drying out the air around the orchid, leaving it parched.
  • And that ceiling fan may be driving a draft toward the plant that could result in dropped leaves, buds or blooms.

The hardy Phalaenopsis is a favorite among “newbies.” As Just Add Ice Orchids notes, just three ice cubes a week is necessary to keep this plant healthy and blooming.

But even a hardy orchid needs the benefits of a proper environment. In nature, orchids typically grow in warm, humid rainforest environments. That’s simply where they’re most comfortable. Bringing them into a house that’s overheated, under heated, dry-heated or drafty can cause a shock to the plant’s system.

Orchid Tips for Better Growing

People with the budget and room for it like to create a greenhouse environment for their orchids and other tropical plants to recreate a natural environment.

But even if you don’t have the means to build a greenhouse, you can still follow some simple orchid tips to keep your orchid healthy.

  • Position the orchid near indirect sunlight, or draw the blinds or shades during the brightest part of the day.
  • Keep the pots out of the path of circulating air from a ceiling fan.
  • Monitor the temperature of the orchid’s environment. The plants typically do best between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This is within the range of most homes and offices.
  • Make sure your nearby windows are not letting in cold winter air toward the orchids.

Get Advice Anytime

No matter how experienced an owner you are, you will likely have questions about your plants at some point. Fortunately, you’re not alone! Find orchid tips anytime through the blogs and forums of Just Add Ice Orchids.