Orchids first appeared during the Jurassic period almost 200 million years ago. Today, orchids are found worldwide and are used for various reasons across different cultures. Besides being lauded for their uniqueness, bright colors, and overall elegance, orchids are also used for medicinal purposes and are often associated with fertility. There persists a constant challenge though: taking care of orchids in cold climates.
However, not all orchids are created equal, and not all can withstand harsh cold climates and winter. At least, not without some extra preparation and attention. Today’s guide aims to provide you the information you need to take care of orchids around your home in cold climates.
What Are Orchids?
The technical name for an orchid is Orchidaceae. Orchidaceae have about 28,000 currently accepted species and, along with Asteraceae, are two of the most prominent families of flowering plants. The number of orchid species is nearly equal to the number of bony fishes and more than twice the number of bird species. Orchid species outpace mammals by about four times, and the orchid family accounts for about 6-11% of all seed plants.
It seems that when you’re around for nearly 200 million years, you have no problems spreading and breeding.
All orchids are perennials and considered herbs because they lack any permanent woody structure. There are two patterns that orchids can grow in: monopodial or sympodial.
Monopodial orchids grow from a single bud, and leaves are added each year from the apex. Because of this, monopodial grow longer stems, reaching several meters in length.
Sympodial orchids have front and back growth. Front growth is the newest growth, and the back is the oldest. Sympodial grow horizontally rather than vertically across the surface of their support. These plants produce adjacent shoots that grow, bloom, stop growing, and are replaced.
Their flowers, bright colors, and the many structural variations they form are perhaps what orchids are most recognized for. Some orchids have single flowers, but most have many flowers. In the wild, orchids come in about 30,000 different color variations. Most commonly, orchids are considered blue, red, pink, white, purple, yellow, orange, or green.
Symbolism in Orchids
Throughout many cultures, orchids symbolize sexuality, fertility, and virility. Different varieties are often used as national flowers for cities and countries. For example, the Cattleya mossiae is the Venezuelan national flower. The Holy Ghost orchid (Peristeria elata) is Panama’s national flower.
Orchids have also been heavily depicted throughout ancient and more modern art. One of the most famous orchid paintings is “Narcissa’s Last Orchid, 1940″ by Georgia O’Keeffe. O’Keeffe had a lasting impact on horticulture and was known for her over 200 flower paintings.
Different color orchids are said to have specific meanings and symbolism. Blue orchids are considered a symbol of rarity, uniqueness, beauty, and spirituality. Pink represents happiness, grace, joy, and innocence. Purple orchids represent wealth, royalty, and class.
Uses of Orchids
Orchids are often used in perfumes and fragrances for their elegant aroma. They are also used in skincare products for their excellent sources of vitamin A and antioxidants. Orchids are also said to reduce wrinkles and blemishes.
In Chinese medicine, orchids are used as a form of medicinal tea. It is believed that this tea can help treat cancer, strengthen immune systems, and improve eyesight. In Turkey, orchids are used to create a beverage called Salep. Salep is a type of flour produced by grinding parts of different orchids together. It is said to be effective in curing sore throats, diarrhea and other digestive problems, and gum disease.
Across many cultures, orchids are believed to reduce stress and treat other diseases.
Basic Orchid Care
Orchids can be classified as warm growing, intermediate, or cool growing. The groupings refer to the lowest temperature that the orchid prefers during winter nights. It is important to know the temperature requirements when taking care of orchids in cold climates.
Temperature Ranges
Warm-growing orchids begin to sulk if the temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 degrees celsius. Cool-growing orchids can withstand temperatures at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees celsius. Intermediate orchids prefer around 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 12 degrees celsius.
Most orchids don’t do well when temperatures reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees celsius.
Lighting
Most orchids require at least six hours of sunlight a day. Providing more enhances flowering potential. Grow lights can also be used by placing the plants 6 to 8 inches below the lights and operating them on a 14 to 16-hour timer.
Direct sunlight should be avoided because it can actually scorch orchid leaves. It’s best to put orchids in southern- or eastern-facing windows. Western windows can be too hot and northern too dark. You can move your orchid around during the year to take advantage of different light levels or if parts of your home become cooler or too warm.
Look at the orchid leaves to determine if you are providing them with the right amount of light. While dark green leaves may look good, they signal that there is not enough. A light or medium green means there is enough light.
When to Water Orchids
An orchid plant should be watered once a week during the winter and twice a week when it’s more warm and dry. A bigger pot requires less frequent watering, while a smaller one should be watered more frequently.
It’s vital to the health of the orchid that when you water, you do not get the flowers or the leaves wet. Nor should you leave water in the base of the orchid pot. Overwatering can cause spots and disease. The natural root system of orchids can get pretty wild and even hop up out of its pot. This is okay. You should never cut back healthy orchid roots.
Orchid Mix
Unlike traditional plants, orchids are not planted in dirt or soil. They require a lot of aeration and drainage because any amount of moisture can cause rot. Most commercial orchid mediums contain peat moss, fir bark, or perlite. You can also experiment with creating your own orchid mix using Rockwool, sand, cork, polystyrene foam, or charcoal. Some varieties will perform better with different combinations.
It bears worth repeating, never plant your orchid in soil or dirt, or it will die very quickly. Because many store-bought orchids come in cheap plastic pots that lack air circulation, it’s best to re-pot them. However, you should wait until after the blooming period has ended. Specialized orchid pots and orchid mixes can be found at nurseries and online.
Feeding Orchids
When feeding orchids, it’s best to use a balanced fertilizer (20-20-20 with little to no urea). While they should be fed regularly, they do better with too little fertilizer than too much. Some home growers suggest a “weak, weekly” approach to feeding. This is where the fertilizer is diluted into a quarter strength and applied when watering weekly rather than all at once for the month. You should always feed the plant during or after watering; otherwise, the fertilizer can burn the dry roots.
How Orchids Grow
Orchids can grow quite long and will generally go in the supported direction. Many use string or clamps along with a stick or stave to support their orchids.
Once orchid blooms fall off, they go into a “resting” period that lasts from 6 to 9 months before blooming again. You can use techniques to encourage the new blooming period, but methods vary. It’s best to research the specific orchid type you own for more concrete information.
Taking Care of Orchids in Cold Climates
While caring for orchids in cold climates can take a bit of work, the main issues are easy to work around.
Provide Adequate Light
One of the major concerns is providing orchids with adequate light during the winter months in cold climates. You may need to move your orchid around or invest in grow lights if none of your windows can provide the 6 to 8 hours of light orchids need. Again, they don’t do well with direct sunlight, so even shaded light can still work for orchids.
Watch for Drafts of Cool Air
Suppose you have your orchids near a window that isn’t adequately sealed or in a part of the house that could catch drafts of cold air regularly (like when a door is opened). In that case, you should move your orchid somewhere else. Remember heat rises, so consider placing your orchid up higher on a shelf or the second story of your home during the winter months.
Avoid Dry Heat from Vents
Like cold drafts, extended exposure to dry heat from home heating systems can scorch the orchid or dry it out.
Adjust Accordingly
Very dry and gray roots or wrinkled leaves mean you should add more water to your orchids. You can do this by increasing the watering frequency or the amount, as long as you still follow the above rules for watering.
Increase Humidity
Orchids prefer humid environments. Humidity decreases during cold weather months, so some very light water spritzing can help. You can also fill a shallow tray with pebbles and some water, then place your orchid on top of it. As the water evaporates, it adds humidity. You can also purchase humidity trays or humidifiers for the room your orchid is in.
Don’t Forget About Your Orchids
One of the most common issues when raising orchids during the winter is neglect. During this time, orchids are not in bloom, so they are easy to forget or ignore. You still need to care for your orchid in many ways during cold periods, as you do during warm ones.
Pests, Diseases, and What to Look Out For
Among the most common orchid pests are aphids. These are often greenish-white or black and have soft, pear-shaped bodies. Whiteflies (Aleurothrix) can also be a problem. You can purchase a solution from your local nursery or online to remove and kill aphids. You can also soak a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and dab along the plant. This is a great way to reach down in the sheaths and crevices within the plant. You can also try a mix of alcohol and a few drops of liquid soap inside a misting bottle and spray your orchid. But, this should be done lightly to avoid damaging your plant.
Black rot (usually from being too damp) is the most prominent disease to look out for in orchids. Some types are more susceptible than others. You can purchase a bottle of full-strength hydrogen peroxide for treating rot. Simply pour a small amount where the rot is, and it should fizzle. Repeat this every 2 to 3 days until the spot no longer bubbles. Sprinkle cinnamon on the area as a natural fungicide.
Chill damage during cold periods or scorch damage during high-temperature periods can also be a severe problem for orchids. When damage is visible, take orchids out of direct sunlight and maintain a moist growing medium. Add a weak solution of liquid plant food or fertilizer weekly until you notice new growth on the plant. Nursing your orchid back to health is a challenge when taking care of orchids in cold climates.
How to Transplant Orchids
Whether it’s to provide more space for your orchid to grow or to change its pot for better air circulation, you should transplant your orchid from time to time. Also, if you notice that roots have become tangled and tightened or have turned brown and soft, you should transplant your orchid.
How to transplant:
- Choose the correct medium to grow your orchid in. The easiest method is picking up a specific orchid mix from your local nursery or online. Do not use dirt or soil.
- Remove the orchid from its current container. If any roots have died, trim them off.
- Fill the new container about one-third full with the orchid mix.
- Single stem orchids should be placed in the center of the new pot. Mult-stems should be placed against the pot wall.
- Gently cover the roots with additional mix and fill the pot to about ½ inch below the rim.
- Stake to provide support for your orchid if necessary.
- Water thoroughly (careful to avoid the leaves), allowing excess water to drain out. If settling occurs in the next day or two, add more mix.
Popular Orchids Based on Climate
Cool-Growing Orchids
Masdevallia orchids are one of the most popular cool-growing orchids, and they’re easier to grow than a lot of other varieties. Others cold-growing orchids include Odontoglossums, Cymbidiums, Laelia, and Draculas Orchids. These orchids are better when you are targeting your garden around taking care of orchids in cold climates.
Intermediate-Growing Orchids
Intermediate-growing orchids include Cattleya, Cambria, Paphiopedilum, and Oncidium.
Warm-Growing Orchids
Vanda Orchids are probably the most common warm-growing orchids, but since most orchid species grow in tropical forests, there are quite a few types to choose from.
To tell what kind of orchid you have, check the identifier tag. If the tag is not available, you can try searching its characteristics online. Since orchids come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, it may be difficult to figure it out, but it could help narrow it down. If you’re unable to find out, simply keep an eye out for some of the signs listed above and adjust your care management as necessary.
Orchids make lovely additions to homes. With just a little love, care, and attention, orchids (no matter what climate you’re in) should bring beauty and joy to your life for a very long time.