Tropical orchids can tolerate cold snaps surprisingly well . However, three consecutive months of biting cold and blizzard warnings can threaten the much-awaited spring flowering for your orchid. Winterizing your orchid will protect it from the upcoming chill and frost.
While orchids in the Oncidiinae alliance have a wide range of cold tolerance, many of the cool growers that can withstand near freezing winter temperatures are not grown in warm climates because they cannot tolerate the summer heat. The thick leaved mule ear oncidiums like.
Most types of orchid plants are native to tropical regions with warm temperatures and high humidity. For this reason, many orchids cannot tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a temperate region, you may be able to replicate an orchid’s natural growing conditions indoors .
How much cold can orchids tolerate?
Though most orchids typically prefer temperatures between 50 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, many orchids tolerate temperatures up to 100 degrees and down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The worst orchid cold damage usually results when frost forms.
Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit are too cold for most orchid varieties. However, some subfamilies are more cold-hardy than others. For example, Lady’s Slipper orchids are more tolerant of colder temperatures than other orchid plants.
One of the next things we wondered was what are the minimum and maximum temperatures for orchids?
Click here to learn more. The minimum temperatures denote the lowest the orchids will handle on a winter night. Daytime winter temperature will be 10°-15° F warmer than nighttime temperatures. The maximum temperatures are the highest temperatures the orchids will tolerate in the summer.
How do orchids react to cold weather?
There is no one-size-fits-all temperature guide for orchids, as all species react to winter differently. For example, Dendrobiums produce more bulbs during the spring after cold exposure (and leaf loss) during the winter.
A number of orchids can be affected by these temperature dips, particularly prior to and during blooming. Phaleanopsis orchids (the type predominantly used with their characteristically large, ornate blooms) are classified as “Warm Orchids” meaning while in bloom they prefer warm temperatures and detest cold or even cool temperatures.
There are three temperature zones for orchids, and each type of orchid has an ideal temperature zone. Warm growers need daytime temperatures approximately 70°- 85°F /20°- 30°C. They enjoy a slight temperature drop at night, but should not go below 65°F /18°C.
Do orchids die in the winter?
This is evidently clear each year as the trees and foliage either die off or go dormant during the chilly winter months. It’s not just outdoor plants that suffer from the cold, however, popular indoor plants like orchids can also suffer if proper care procedures are not followed.
While I was researching we ran into the inquiry “Can orchids live outside all year round?”.
Most subtropical and tropical orchids live in a constant temperature year-round, only fluctuating during the day and night. During the day, no matter summer or winter, the orchid needs to be in a warm place. Indoor orchids do well because temperature fluctuate less and are easier to control.
Can I bring my orchids inside for the winter?
When a cold snap is on the horizon, wrap your outdoor orchid in a sheet, tarp, plastic bag, or burlap. Doing so can create a temperature-controlled micro climate outdoors. An extra mulch layer can also warm roots during particularly cold conditions. But if you can, bringing your orchids inside as winter nears is the #1 solution.