One of the main pillars in the professional care of orchids is the temperature at the location. For your guidance, we have put together the ideal day and night temperatures in summer and winter for popular species.
What temperature is optimal for orchids?
The ideal temperature for orchids varies depending on the species, in summer it is usually between 20 and 30 °C during the day and between 15 and 25 °C at night, while temperatures between 15 and 25 °C are recommended in winter. It is important to avoid temperature fluctuations of more than 5 degrees Celsius.
Recommended temperatures at a glance
In order to get the optimum flowering power from your orchid, normal room temperatures are not always enough. The ideal heat scale for popular orchid species is based on more precise values:
| Orchid type | Summer by day | Summer at Night | Winter temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascocentrum | 25-27 °C | 20-22 °C | 17-22 °C |
| Cattleya | 25-30 °C | 18-22 °C | 18-20 °C |
| Cymbidium | 15-30 °C | 15-30 °C | 15-18 °C |
| Dendrobium | 20-30 °C | 20-30 °C | 20-25 °C |
| Miltonia | 17-22 °C | 17-22 °C | 15-18 °C |
| Phalaenopsis | 20-25 °C | 18-25 °C | 15-25 °C |
| Odontoglossum | 20-22 °C | 18-22 °C | 12-22 °C |
| Oncidium | 23-25 °C | 15-20 °C | 15-18 °C |
| Vanda | 25-27 °C | 20-22 °C | 17-22 °C |
It is important to note that orchids are not exposed to temperature fluctuations of more than 5 degrees Celsius. With a minimum-maximum thermometer (€11.00 on Amazon) you can easily see whether this premise is met at the chosen location.
Without light there is no flowering
The ideal temperature level alone is not enough to encourage the queen of flowers to bloom magnificently. Only in combination with bright lighting conditions without the blazing midday sun in summer will the high expectations be fulfilled.
Tip
With a targeted temperature fluctuation, you can promote new flowering on Phalaenopsis. For this purpose, the orchid stays in a bright, cool room with temperatures between 15 and 16 degrees Celsius from the fourth week after the last flower fall. If the elegant houseplant returns to its normal location after 6 weeks, the fresh buds will not be long in coming.
