From a plant's perspective, light is food. We orchids do not photosynthesize like sun-hungry tomatoes or petunias. Our ideal location is one with bright, yet indirect, light. An east-facing window is perfect, as it provides the gentle morning sun which energizes us without scorching our leaves. A south-facing window can work if filtered by a sheer curtain, acting as a pair of sunglasses for us. A west-facing window often delivers harsh afternoon light that can cause sunburn—visible as white, bleached spots on our leaves. North-facing windows are often too dim, leading to dark green, floppy leaves and a reluctance to bloom. We will tell you if the light is correct; our leaves should be a vibrant, olive green.
Our roots are not like those of a daisy, buried in consistently moist soil. In our natural habitat, we are epiphytes, clinging to trees where our roots are exposed to humid, circulating air. The best place for us balances humidity without suffocation. Bathrooms with a window are often excellent, as the steam from showers provides the 40-70% humidity we crave. Kitchens can also be suitable for the same reason. If you place us in a typically dry living room, please group us with other plants to create a microclimate or use a humidity tray. Avoid placing us directly over heating vents or in the path of strong, dry air currents, which will desiccate our leaves and aerial roots rapidly.
Stagnant air is a death sentence for us. It encourages fungal and bacterial rot, especially in our pot's medium and around our sensitive crown. The ideal location has gentle, consistent air circulation. This does not mean a direct blast from an air conditioner or a fan pointed directly at us, which is dehydrating. Instead, a room with a ceiling fan on low or where natural air currents from a slightly cracked window can gently move the leaves is perfect. This moving air mimics the breezes of our native environments, strengthens our stems, helps evaporate stagnant water from our leaves, and keeps our roots healthy.
Our metabolism is tuned to a distinct day-night temperature fluctuation. A drop of about 10-15°F (5-8°C) at night is the primary signal for us to initiate a flower spike. Therefore, the best place is a room where the temperature is not kept constant by a thermostat 24/7. A windowsill is often ideal because it naturally cools down at night, especially in cooler seasons. We generally thrive in daytime temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) and nighttime temperatures between 60-65°F (15-18°C). Consistency is our enemy; we need that nightly cooldown to know it is time to reproduce.
