Orhid Tips

How to Make an Orchid Plant Arrangement

Orchid plant arrangements are currently one of the easiest ways to add a fun and dramatic feel to any type of décor. They are also the perfect plant for keeping indoors, actually one of the lowest maintenance exotic plants you can grow in your home. Here are some tips for sprucing up your living space with an orchid arrangement.

1.    To start making your orchid plant arrangement all you need is an orchid plant, any attractive pot you have in your home or garage, potting soil or mix, moss to cover the soil and decorative wood branches to add some extra flair.
2.    For someone who is on the go, I recommend using ready-made orchid potting mixes. These mixes are readily available from most garden shops or from the orchid growers themselves. I believe this works the best because it makes the potting that much easier and faster. Also, potting mixes are reasonably priced and are already blended to the suitable texture and acidity. If you wish to create your own orchid potting mix it can be a combination of any or all of the following components: osmunda fiber, ground tree fern stem, ground bark.
3.    Place the orchid potting soil mix in the chosen pot and carefully place the orchid inside the pot. Be careful not to fully cover all of the orchid's roots. Leave two or three above the soil to breath. This will help your orchid live longer.
4.    Place the moss on top of the potting mix and also add the decorative wood branches to stick out of the pot in various directions. Remember to keep a nice balance between the orchid plant and the decorative branches. Adding too many branches will make the arrangement look too dramatic and top heavy.
5.    Tape the stems with the plant tape to help keep the orchid upright.



How to Make Natural Orchid Arrangements

Orchids are bright and elegant in home atmospheres and bring an exotic touch to even the plainest of rooms. They require very specific care, but these beautiful plants thrive and live for years in the right conditions. Orchids make the biggest splash when they grow in groups and arrangements, with different colors and sizes of blooms. Choose orchids with similar growth habits, in a range of colors, and plant them in a large pot to build your own natural orchid arrangement.


1.    Prepare a wide, shallow pot with drainage holes for multiple orchid plantings. These plants don't need deep pots but do require drainage, air and room to stretch and breathe.
2.    Fill the pot three-quarters full of orchid-appropriate potting mix like gravel, perlite, fern matter, peat moss or coir. Use fern matter and peat moss for the most natural look. Orchids need plenty of air around their roots and don't do well in thick, traditional soil.
3.    Choose orchids with similar needs from the same family for the most successful growing experience. Well-known families like Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium and Cymbidium feature many cultivars in different colors and sizes for variety. Remove the orchids from their original pots and trim away any dead or rotten roots. Place the orchids on the new potting medium spaced about 4-to-5 inches apart and pack more potting medium over their roots to secure them and fill the pot after all the plants are placed.
4.    Place bamboo orchid poles in the growing medium next to each orchid to secure the medium. Clip orchid flower stalks to these stakes for support as they grow .

Put the arrangement in a location that gets bright indirect light or morning sun and afternoon shade. Maintain orchid family-specific temperatures for best growth. Orchids such as Phalaenopsis need warm temperatures, while Cymbidiums need cooler surroundings.
5.    Water the orchids with 2 inches of water every two-to-three days to keep them moist, but don't get water on the crowns or foliage. Add water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer to the watering once a week for nutrition. Switch to high-phosphorous 10-50-10 or 10-30-10 during the blooming season to encourage growth and blooming.


How to Replant a Cut Orchid Stem

Exotic orchids are fascinating to watch and make a fulfilling hobby for the avid collector; but, you don't have to be a collector to enjoy an orchid plant. Orchids are easy to grow, if you know the ins and outs of how to care for them. Repotting an orchid when it's outgrown it's original pot, or planting a cut orchid stem requires a little knowledge of how orchids grow.

a)    Choose a mature orchid plant that needs transplanting or dividing. Make sure the plant has completed blooming and is producing new growth before dividing or transplanting cuttings.
b)    Remove unhealthy roots from the plant. It is normal for orchid roots to grow outside the pot. Unhealthy roots are those that have developed root rot and are soft and mushy to the touch.
c)    Gather your supplies before starting to transplant. Sterilize all tools with either alcohol, a hot flame or a dusting of sulfur. Orchids are prone to infection and this protects the cuttings.
d)    Water the plant before repotting to make removal from the pot easier.
e)    Tip the plant on its side and remove it from the pot. Tap the bottom of the pot to encourage stubborn plants stuck in the pot.
f)    Discard old planting medium by gently removing it from around the roots with your fingers being careful not to break healthy roots.
g)    Trim away any dead leaves, wilted blossoms, old growth and rotten roots. Healthy roots should be white or tan. If they are black, hollow, mushy or look like wires, they should be discarded.
h)    Divide the plant making sure each section of cut stem has at least three healthy growths with leaves, and some healthy roots attached.
i)    Rinse the roots in water to make them more pliable for replanting.
j)    Dust all cut ends with sulfur to help prevent infection and encourage healthy new growth.
k)    Add the styrofoam peanuts and some new plant medium to the pot and place the plant firmly into the planting medium. Wrap the roots in sphagnum moss, made slightly damp and gently bend the healthy roots so they fit into the new pot.
l)    Label the newly planted cutting so you remember which plant is which if you are transplanting more than one breed of orchid.

How to Remove a Root From an Orchid Plant

     Orchid plants produce beautiful flowers in a range of colors such as white, yellow, pink, purple and spotted. The orchid family has the highest number of species of any plant family, with estimates ranging up to 25,000 species. These plants need plenty of air at their roots, and too much moisture or standing water can cause root rot. Healthy roots are firm, fleshy and white with green tips. Roots that are affected by root rot are soggy, mushy and brown. These diseased roots should be removed in order for the plant to thrive.

These are the tips :

• Turn the pot upside down to remove the orchid and expose its roots. Discard both the old soil and pot.
• Slice the root off with a razor blade that has been sterilized by holding it over an open flame for five seconds. Cut only the dead root, and avoid cutting into the plant itself. Continue removing the diseased roots until you are left with only healthy, live roots. Some roots may be so rotten that they fall off in your hands, but you still need to remove the remnants in order to maintain a healthy orchid plant.
• Scrape any remaining soil off the orchid, and remove any dead, shriveled leaves from the plant.
• Center the orchid plant in a new, larger pot, and add slightly moistened potting mix to it. For optimum results, use a potting mix that is designed for orchids, as these soils have certain characteristics that help the orchid plant thrive. Orchid roots need plenty of air, so avoid packing the potting mix.
• Wait seven days to water your orchid, and keep the plant in a shady spot during this time. After this first week, it is alright to resume your normal watering schedule. It is best to keep the potting mix just slightly damp, as orchids are better off being too dry as opposed to too wet. If the leaves start to crinkle, it is a sign that your plant needs more water.

 I hope these tips can be useful for you..:)

How to Care for a Dying Orchid

Step 1 
Rehydrate your orchid when the leaves look crinkled or have begun to brown at the edges. Hold the pot under a gently flowing faucet of tepid, never cold, water. Saturate the planting medium and roots until the pot feels heavy. Allow the excess water to drain away. Water this way every other day for 4 days and then do so once per week, allowing the medium to dry out just slightly at the top between waterings. Another test is to water when the pot feels light when lifted. 


Step 2 
Select a growing space for the orchid that has 6 to 8 hours of bright indirect light daily from a eastern, southern or western exposure. Avoid direct sunlight unless it is morning or late afternoon sun. Never allow your orchid to bake in direct midday sun. Provide ambient temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees F.  


Step 3 
Cut back a dying flower spike once the flowers have dropped away and the green stem has desiccated (turned brown, woody and crisp). Use clean secateurs or scissors to cut the stem down to the base of the plant between the fleshy leaves and discard it. Never cut the stem when it is parthally green, as the nutrients and moisture are in the process of moving back down into the plant and roots for future use.  


Step 4 
Feed the orchid monthly with a commercial orchid food diluted to 50 percent of the recommended strength with tepid water. Prewater the planting medium under the faucet and then pour the fertilizer solution through the medium and roots to saturate. Do not overfeed, as you can easily burn the roots and build up fertilizer salts to toxic levels for the orchid. 


Step 5
Repot your orchid with fresh planting medium. Use bagged commercial orchid mix, choosing very coarse bark and charcoal for epiphytic orchids such as dendrobiums and phalaenopsis. Choose finer bark, charcoal and soil mix for terrestrial orchids such as paphiopedalums.

Orchid Anatomy

The structure of orchid flowers is unique among floral plants. The orchid flower is typically has an outer whorl of three sepals, an inner whorl of three petals, and a single large column (the gynostemium, composed of the male stamens attached to the female pistil) in the center.             The sepals are the protective cover of the flower bud. When the flower opens, the sepals may become enlarged and colored. In most species, the sepals are equal sized and look like petals. In some species, however, the top, or "dorsal" sepal becomes very large and showy, the two lower "lateral" sepals are sometimes fused into one structure, and in other species all three sepals are fused forming a bell-shaped structure around the flower. In some species, the display of the sepals completely overwhelm the actual flower.             The two lateral petals flank the greatly enlarged flamboyant bottom petal (lip or labellum) which is usually highly modified to attract and, in some cases, trap potential pollinators. The lip may be differently colored or marked, ruffled or pouch shaped, decorated with crests, tails, horns, fans, warts, hairs, teeth, or other decorations attractive to their selected pollinator.             The orchid's reproductive organs are combined into a single column (a gynostemium) unlike the usually separate male stamen/anther and female pistil/stigma configurations of other flowers. This is the primary identification feature of an orchid. At the top of the column is the male anther which contains packets of pollen called pollinia. Below the anther is the stigma, a shallow, usually sticky cavity in which the pollen is placed for fertilization. There is a small growth, called the rostellum which acts as a protective barrier to prevent self pollenation. Some species produce separate male and female flowers to prevent self pollenation.             The overall flower shape is characteristically bilaterally symmetrical (the left and right halves of the blossom are mirror images), a necessity for reliable pollenation by bees.             In the bud stage, the lip is the uppermost petal. In most (but not all) orchids, as the flower opens, the flower twists 180° around its flower stalk to position the lip on the bottom. This unique process is called resupination. Some orchid flowers remain "upside down" or non- resupinate while other flowers will rotate in a complete 360° circle ending back in the original upside position!             Many tropical species of orchid will rely on a single species of euglossine bee to pollinate them, and the bee will visit only that particular species of orchid. Some orchid species have established pollinator relationships with flies, gnats, moths, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even bats! Roots The roots are responsible for absorbing water in the soil. They form the bottom part of an orchid. Roots attach themselves on trees and on rocks to support the plant. They get food from fertilizers. Like most roots, they have main roots and hair roots responsible for mineral and water absorption. Some orchids have water absorption system called pseudobulbs. They are very competent in storing water for later use. Stems They are just above the roots. The stem also forms the lower part of orchids. Most of the time orchids only have a main stem. Most orchid stems vary in thickness depending on their variety. They serve as a vessel for nutrients and water to travel to all plant parts. The stem is where leaves are found. Leaves Orchid leaves vary in color. Dark green leaves indicate less exposure to light while yellow leaves meant too much exposure to direct sunlight. The ideal color for leaves should be bright green. The leaves are responsible for food photosynthesis. Spike The spike holds flower buds of orchids. They form sprays for the orchids. Some of them can carry a single flower like Cattleya while others make clusters of flowers like the Phalaenopsis. Flowers Most orchid flowers vary in colors and in shapes depending on their species. Orchid flowers have like five elaborate parts. Petals – They always occur in three. The two petals are “normal” while the third one called lip or labellum serves as a landing surface for insects during pollination. Sepals – There are also three of them. They are similar to petals but they are not petals. They are remains of a flower bud. Lip or Labellum – They are the colorful ones, the lower petals of all orchids. They serve as a   ‘landing platform’ for pollinators like birds and butterflies. The orchid Dendrobium, for example, is known for its colorful labellum. Column – They bear a resemblance to human fingers. They carry the orchids’ reproductive organs. This is where you can find orchid seeds to germinate in orchid flasks.

LAELIA

1. Sepals - Although they may look like petals, they are actually the glorified remains of the flower bud. There are usually three of approximately equal size. 2. Petals - Orchids always have three petals. Two are "normal," and the third becomes a highly specialized structure called a lip. 3. Lip or Labellum - The lower petal of an orchid. Used by the flower to provide a 'landing platform' for its pollinator. 4. Column - A finger-like structure that carries the orchid's reproductive organs--the stigmatic surface (female organs) and the pollinia (male organs) located under the anther cap (operculum).

CATTLEYA

1. Sepals - Although they may look like petals, they are actually the glorified remains of the flower bud. There are usually three of approximately equal size. 2. Petals - Orchids always have three petals. Two are "normal," and the third becomes a highly specialized structure called a lip. 3. Lip or Labellum - The lower petal of an orchid. Used by the flower to provide a 'landing platform' for its pollinator. 4. Column - A finger-like structure that carries the orchid's reproductive organs--the stigmatic surface (female organs) and the pollinia (male organs) located under the anther cap (operculum).

PAPHIOPEDILUM

1. Sepals - Although they may look like petals, they are actually the glorified remains of the flower bud. There are usually three of approximately equal size, but not always. The two lateral sepals are fused into one and the dorsal (top) sepal is greatly enlarged in the case of the paphiopedilum and others. 2. Petals - Orchids always have three petals. Two are "normal," and the third becomes a highly specialized structure called a lip. 3. Lip or Labellum - The lower petal of an orchid. Used by the flower to provide a 'landing platform' (or a trap, in this case) for its pollinator. 4. Column - A finger-like structure that carries the orchid's reproductive organs--the stigmatic surface (female organs) and the pollinia (male organs) located under the anther cap (operculum).

Orchid Diseases

Orchid Diseases can be roughly divided into these groups: Bacterial, fungal, viral and pests. In all of these cases it is important to pay attention and to be diligent if any action is needed. This attention and quick action is important to the health and thriving of your orchid plants.

I suggest that you check your orchids weekly for any signs of disease or trouble. The earlier a problem is discovered the easier it is to effectively treat the problem.

Orchid Diseases:

•  Bacterial Problems:

One common bacteria problem is known as "brown spot". This is a serious infection and can kill your plant. It can be identified by a brown blister that looks somewhat "watery" located on one of the leaves. Orchid Diseases: Bacterial Problems The blister enlarges and can infect the whole leaf and the tissue can become wet and soggy as it rots enlarge quickly and soon, the whole leaf will become infected. If the infection reachs the crown of the plant, it will likely be fatal. Phalaenopsis orchids are particularly prone to getting crown rot. If a plant is infected it is important to keep the infection from spreading both on the individual plant and to other plants in your collection. Remove the infected parts with a new, sterile single edged razor blade. It is recommended to treat with a chemical like Physan which is effective on both bacteria and fungus.
     

•  Fungal Problems:

Fungus on orchids can cause a lot of problems and can be serious. If not properly treated they can lead to rot, yellow leaves and orchid death. The best way to prevent fungal infections is to control the conditions that favor the growth of fungi in the first place.

Fungal problems can come from a number of different organisms. Black Rot is often caused by Phytophthora. The grey molds are usually Botrytis cinerea. Root rots come most often from the Pythium and Phytophthora.

Black Rot can develop in orchid roots and leaves. It is promoted by letting the plant sit in water or if the orchid media has decomposed enough to rot. There are soft rotted areas on the leaves, new growths and sometimes the roots. Once it spreads to the roots, the lifeline of a healthy orchid plant it can be fatal. Named for its color the leaves will turn brown and then black. As with a bacterial infection treat by cutting the infected area off past the infected area and into the healthy tissue. It is important to use sterile technique in between cuts if one is cutting infected plant material. Or use new single edged razor blades and discard the blade if it has been used on the rotted material. Do not use a blade on rotted material and then cut healthy material or you will just spread the disease. Use a fungicide like Physan on the cut areas of the plant.

Leaf Spot is a fungus that affects injured leaves. It is on of the causes of yellow leaves. It starts on the underside and then can spread to the top of the leaf. It can look like very small roundish brown sunken spots. Treatment is to remove the badly damaged leaves and treat with a fungicide.

Root Rot will sap the life of the plant over a period of months before it dies. The leaves may appear droopy and stunted. Brown-black areas are seen in the roots and the roots are often clearly rotten or missing. Sometimes the leaves will be twisted and yellowed. Treat root rot by cutting off all rotted and infected areas, sterilizing your cutting tool after every cut (or use a new single edged razor blade) as previously described. Discard all the old potting medium, cut the rotten roots away treat with a fungicide and repot with new potting material and a new sterile pot. Reduce water for a while after repotting until the orchid has recouperated.

Another common fungal disease is petal blight. This causes an orchid flower to develop spots. It happens when water is allowed to collect on the surfaces of the flowers. If this is the case, you will need to use a fungicide. And it is important to increase the air circulation around the plants and to decrease the humidity levels. Removing the infected flowers will help reduce the spread of the disease. If your plant is affected with petal blight, you will need to apply fungicide to get rid of the problem. You should also increase air circulation and decrease the humidity levels. It's also best if you remove flowers that have been infected. This will reduce the likelihood of this orchid disease spreading.

•  Viral Problems:

Some orchid diseases are caused by a virus. Viral infections are much harder to diagnose. Its important to monitor your plants for diseases affecting orchids because they can spread from plant to plant, and kill all of your plants.
Orchid Diseases: Viral Disease Orchid viruses are not that common. Over 20 different viral diseases have been identified in orchids. Viral infections, unlike bacterial and fungus infections are invisible. It may take some time to notice that your plant is ill and that something is affecting its health. The symptoms of an orchid virus are hard to detect at first and can look like other diseases. Sometimes there is a modeling of the tissue or a slight yellowish or white streaking. Later, they may be brown pitting on the leaf. Unlike fungus and bacterial infections the damage is systemic. It is not merely on the surface, it will appear to penetrate the leaf tissue. Viral infections are easily spread through contact of fluids. Insect vectors can spread a viral infection, as well as using unsterilized tools when working with your orchids.

The Meaning & Symbolism of Orchid

The most highly coveted of ornamental plants, the delicate, exotic and graceful orchid represents love, luxury, beauty and strength. In ancient Greece, orchids were associated with virility. In fact, Greek women believed that if the father of their unborn child ate large, new orchid tubers, the baby would be a boy. If the mother ate small orchid tubers, she would give birth to a girl.

During the Victorian era, orchid symbolism shifted to luxury, and today this sense of magnificence and artful splendor continues, with orchids representing rare and delicate beauty. The 14th wedding anniversary flower, pink orchids convey pure affection, and the popular cattelya orchid represents mature charm.


The Botany of Orchid

All varieties of orchids make up the Orchidaceae family. They have been discovered growing on every continent except Antarctica. The greatest number of orchid species is found in tropical regions. The majority of orchids are epiphytes  meaning they grow on top of or attached to another living plant not parasites as once thought. They obtain their nutrients through the spongy epidermis of their roots.
Many orchids produce a sweet fragrance, which attracts a wide range of pollinators such as birds, bees, flies and even ants.
Since orchids are grown in many different locations around the world, most varieties do not have a limited season of availability. There are nearly 30,000 varieties, but the most common are Dendrobiums, Cymbidium, Cattleya, Phalaenopsis and Vanda. Because of their more limited commercial production, orchids are generally used in event work, such as weddings, parties and upscale occasions. Each type of orchid has its own personality. Dendrobiums are often used as cut flowers in tropical arrangements, while Cymbidium orchids were once thought of as the Mother’s Day corsage orchid, making it a commonly recognized variety. Cattleya orchids were the popular choice of brides during the 40s and 50s, but Phalaenopsis (or Butterfly) orchids are the choice for modern arrangements because of their simplicity and elegance. Some orchids are edible and are used as garnish in culinary presentations.
Vanilla is one of the rare examples of orchids being used for food. Both the seeds and surrounding pulp within the seed pod of the Vanilla orchid are used to make the extremely popular flavoring vanilla extract.

Orchid Types

• Epiphytic orchids

Growing orchids grow a ride on other trees without harming the host plant and the need light shade from the sun. Orchid roots absorb nutrients from the rain, fog and the surrounding air. Example: Cattleya sp., Dendrobiumsp.,

•   Terrestrial orchids

Orchid that grows in the ground and requires direct sunlight. roots take food from the soil. Example: Vanda sp.

•   Saprophyte orchid

Orchids that grow in media containing humus or dried leaves, and need little sunlight. This type does not have leaves and chlorophyll. Example: Goodyera sp.

•   Litofit orchids

Orchids that grow on rocks or rocky soil, and resistant to full sunlight. Orchid is taking food from the rain, air, humus. Example: Paphiopedilum sp.

Prospects and Benefits of Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis)

    Orchid is one of the flowering plants that are not less beautiful with other flowering plants. Orchid flowers have a shape and pattern of diverse and beautiful eyes. The beauty of form and flowers of plants of the family have made "Orchidaceae" is widely collected by all the good guys just for a hobby just got even perjual traded.
    Orchids belong to the family members "Orchidaceae", which is one of the families of flowers of the greatest, has approximately 43 000 species from 750 different generations. According to information obtained more or less about 5000 species of orchids in Indonesia are located in the spread almost all over the archipelago. Orchid plant itself has a variety of functions, of which the most important as an ornamental plant that is enjoyed by the beauty of the flowers for each type of orchid has the form, style, color and distinctive scent is saturated so that all people to enjoy it. Besides orchids are also taken in the manufacture of mixed flowers for a variety of health and beauty products for the wider community.
     As a commodities business, Orchid Phalaenopsis amabilis is never ranks above the orchid trade, because the price is relatively affordable but has a very beautiful figure of interest rates and even resistant to a range of nearly 6 months. In the era before the discovery or little discovery of new orchid hybrids, Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid is what dominates the national market. Until now this kind of Phalaenopsis amabilis still a lot of demand because the price is still relatively affordable.
   In Indonesia there is also a "PAI" (Indonesian Orchid Association) where there is an event meet, do business the breeders, farmers, and traders the people which has a seed  orchids from all over Indonesia, and did not rule for Southeast Asia, especially Thailand. Thus it can be seen that the orchid business outlook is very promising for the future and is very profitable to be a valuable asset to the State of Indonesia in particular.

Happy Valentine's day

Valentine's Day February 14 is identical to the day of love that became known as Valentine's Day, very nice if we provide something special for a loved one. And will be a great honor if we give something that really represents our own hearts. And may the day of love, we not only share with friends, boyfriends, or parents, but to share with others in need.

How to plant Orchid..

Since orchids are tropical plants, many people keep them indoors because the winter cold kills them every year. Other people, however, prefer to plant their orchids outdoors.  While it helps if you have some prior flower gardening experience, with just a little bit of home gardening help anyone can learn to grow healthy, beautiful orchids.  Here are some helpful orchid growing tips for planting your orchids indoors or for planting and maintaining them in a garden outdoors.

·         Indoor orchid care tips:

1.       Choose an orchid that will fit your indoor temperature. Some plants are much more finicky than others. If your house stays between 68 and 75 degrees, you can choose a warm-growing orchid. If your nighttime temperatures get a bit cooler (say between 60 and 65 degrees), choose an intermediate-growing orchid. For more information on orchid species, you'll find the BBC gardening site to be useful.

2.       Most orchids come planted in a special orchid pot and rooted in some sort of bark or fibrous material. This is because orchids get most of their nutrients and water from aerial roots. So don't cut these roots!

3.       Orchid plants need high humidity and direct sun during the winter months, and indirect light during the summer months.

4.       Never let your orchid get too dry. This will kill it quickly. Instead, water consistently but in accordance with the specific instructions for your type of orchid. Remember, the water must reach and nourish all of the roots.

5.       DO NOT USE SOFTENED WATER. The salt will damage the roots.

6.       If your leaves turn a light green color or yellow and shrink in size, you need to add some fertilizer. If your orchid does not flower and the leaves are dark green and floppy, you have used too much fertilizer. Plants that are actively growing and sprouting need fertilizer. Those who are slow-growing or not growing do not need fertilizer. If your orchid is in bark, it needs more fertilizer than one planted in fibrous material. A general houseplant fertilizer will do the trick. Just apply about every four weeks, and read the labels.

7.       They must be watered several times a week. Unfortunately, watering this frequently will kill the roots of any orchid in short order. The general rule of thumb for orchids grown in the home is to water every 5 to 12 days, depending on the type of orchid, the temperature the plant is grown in, and the time of year. During the warm summer months when days are long, more frequent watering is required than in the cooler, shorter days of winter.

·         Outdoor orchid care tips:

1.       Orchids kept outdoors are more vulnerable to the elements that can damage flowers and leaves. Placing plants in a sheltered position can help minimize wind and rain damage. Here are some general tips:

2.       While outdoor plants can be more vulnerable to pests, natural pest predators often mitigate the problem. Check plants for problems frequently, and only use artificial chemicals when absolutely necessary.

3.       Flower pots on paved or dark surfaces, or in the direct sun, can heat up and dry out very quickly. Keep an eye on them whenever the weather is warm.

4.       Heat or wind can quickly lower humidity.

5.       Depending on the climate where you live and the kind of orchid you have, you will need to bring your orchid inside when temperatures become too cold. Remember to check the plant for pests and insects before you bring it inside.