The right temperature

First of all, we must be sure of the type of orchid that we are going to buy or that has been given to us. If it belongs to the most common type, Phalaenopsis, applying the appropriate treatments will not be difficult. We refer to the advice of a good florist to achieve the best results and keep it alive as long as possible.

Recreating the proper temperature will then be the first step to keeping the orchid alive. The difference between day and night should be about 5 degrees. This thermal shock will allow the plant to continue living. In fact, the orchid loves humidity and cool temperatures. Then in the winter the plant can be placed in a warm room and moved at night to a colder environment without heaters, such as a closet. Or better yet, on our balcony it could be placed facing east or west and then returned to the house during the night. This operation will allow us to prevent frost from affecting the delicate flowers and compromising the vitality of the plant. Sun exposure is necessary, but the plant should not be given a direct hit and not for too many hours.

In addition, watering should not be frequent or abundant, especially during the cold season. In fact, the orchid loves humidity, but with sudden drops in temperature, the Phalaenopsis does not need to be wet all the time. It will be enough to submerge it in a container of water for approximately half an hour or give it a short shower.

As for fertilization, we will have to find the most suitable one for our plant. It doesn’t matter if it’s granulated or liquid, we asked our florist which type is the best for Phalaenopsis. If we decide to use liquid fertilizer, it will be enough to add it to the container in which we have put the irrigation water. Finally, pay attention to this little tip. If the orchid is in bloom we will not have to fertilize the plant as it could do more harm than good.