Summer Orchid Care Tips
Orchid care changes with the seasons. On top of summer’s warmth, the sun is highest in the sky and hours of daylight are at a maximum. Even on cloudy days, plants are working overtime to photosynthesize.
- On top of your regular watering schedule, water more during periods of active growth, warm weather, or windy conditions. Check these helpful orchid watering tips for more info. Lady slippers, Masdevallias, Miltonias, Odonts, Vandas, and Cymbidiums will enjoy daily soakings.
- Move orchids to shade on really hot days. For most types, high temps are fine as long as humidity is high, too. Even cool growers like Masdevallias can tolerate a short heat wave with enough shade and humid air.
- Fertilizing weakly, weekly is best. Compost can also be a great growth booster.
- Give orchids a summer vacation outdoors if growing conditions permit.
- Pests may thrive in summer heat. Try beneficial insects or carnivorous plants. If pesticides are necessary, try natural, biodegradable products like Neem Oil or rubbing alcohol/surgical spirits.
Explore posts in the same categories: Fertilizing, Growing, Watering
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June 28th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Hey. I stumbled upon your orchid weblog the in the search engines. This is an excellent post with helpful information. Appreciate the article. I’ll surely go back.
June 28th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
That’s a nice post.
July 13th, 2012 at 9:48 am
Helpful tips, thanks!
July 17th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Great share!…
August 7th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Thanks for your idea to try rubbing alcohol. This kills all the bugs and doesn’t burn the plant. I put it in my spray bottle to spray under the leaves too.
August 14th, 2012 at 9:18 am
Thanks for you blog, it is very good. I was afraid to put my orchids outside, I know that sounds crazy, but it’s been so hot, and I want to see them thrive. I will put them out and see how they do. Thanks for the tips, I will be back to read more:)
August 14th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
To the previous commenter — you may want to be careful putting your orchids outside during a heat wave. I’ll have a future post addressing this soon, but for now I would only recommend it if you live in an area with high humidity.