Hot, summer days can be as stressful for your
orchids as for you. Just as you
have to be careful and drink plenty of liquids, remember to make sure you
irrigate your plants every few days, depending on their type. Cattleyas and Dendrobiums need to be
watered every few days while Vandas and Ascocendas can be watered every day,
if done in the morning hours so they can be dry by nightfall. Watering keeps them hydrated and has
a cooling effect from midday temperatures.
You might want to move more delicate, large-leaf
orchids into shade so they don’t get too hot. Put your fingers or hand up against the leaves of an
orchid to test the temperature. If it feels very warm, move the plant right away into shade.
Good air movement is crucial in cooling off your
orchids. Go invest in a cheap
box fan and let it blow over your orchids. It also helps dry off the leaves at night so they have
less chance of getting bacteria spots. If it does rain at night, the fan will help dry and cool your
orchids. Remember, when it’s
hot, do for your orchids as you would do for you…..plenty of water, shade,
and get in front of a fan!
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