please help!!! how do i keep my orchids warm on the windowsill

[Wrebbitrocks]

hello, temps are starting to drop and i don't know what to do to keep my orchids warm on the windowsill. do i put a blanket against the window? any advice is highly appreciated

[smweaver]

What kinds of orchids do you have? Depending on the type, they might not mind the cooler temperatures they'll get next to a window. There are lots of orchids that appreciate a temperature differential between day and night. So warm days coupled with cooler nights may be something your plants will appreciate. Again, it just depends on the types you have.

Steve

[lily99]

My first apartment in Cleveland was built in the early 1900's and had very drafty windows. I went to Home Depot and bought these large plastic sheets that go over windows to keep in some of the heat. I still got a 10 degree temperature drop in that apartment, but after hanging the plastic sheets, I did not feel as much of a draft when I walked by the windows.

[Wrebbitrocks]

hi, thanks.
i have only two orchids at the time. im not a very good grower but an expert killer anyways its a NOID white dendrobium phalaenopsis and an oncidium sharry baby 'aureum'. i wish there were a way i could see other windowsills to take some pointers. how far from the glass should they be?

[Shirley]

Your posting doesn't indicate what area you live but I think that the main concern is that you shouldn't allow any leaves to touch the glass if there is frost outside.

[Ross]

I have lots of "normally" warm growers in a south-facing window box that gets pretty cold in the winter (I have central heat, but the box extended out into the cold gets pretty cold - like down in the 50s) I don't do anything special except I have 2 small fans running 24/7 in and towards the window box. This helps to dispel the colder temps with the cool room temps. Room temps in winter get to 62 degrees F at night. Only 67 degrees F during day. This will be fine for Phals, Paphs, Oncidiums, Brassias, Encyclias, Epidendrums, etc. Hope this helps. Don't swet the small stuff!

[Wrebbitrocks]

i live tucson, az 85706 zone 8. it can get cold here compared to the surrounding desert. i grow in a south facing window. i water once a week with bottled water. i fertilize weakly every other week with a balanced african violet food(7-7-7)i don't know how to filter the light or even what filtered light looks like. im hoping you experts or should i say growers not killers may have pics of conditions or directions on how they did things. i've had like 30 orchids over the last 2 years and killed every last one. im no good. i love them so much. sigh maybe i should just quit.

[Wrebbitrocks]

maybe its becauze i'm only 16 and don't have a good hand at them...

[blackorchid]

The key is to choose the right orchids for your condition. The common Phalaenopsis is not a good candidate because of the strong light from a Southern Window and a low temperature you have in winter. Cattleya is good and can withstand some windowsill temp drop. Deciduous Dendrobium is another one. Encyclia is good and fragrant. Catasetineae is easy and need a dry winter rest. Oh yeah and the famous brassavola. Keep them dry between watering, that's important, except for Catasetineae. I hope it help.

[cirillonb]

I suspect your south facing windowsill gets quite warm on a bright day even in the winter. Night time is another thing. Even with central heating it can get quite cold. I live in a more temperate climate in the south central states. My east facing window routinely got to 80+ during even cold winter days as long and the sun was shining; at night it got down to 60 deg even tho the room was in the low 70's. The window is drafty (5 year old building...doesn't speak much for construction)
You could use a thermometer you have in your home to test the daytime and nighttime temp. (even a kitchen-cooking thermometer will do) If you get much below 60 and the orchids you grow don't like that, consider purchasing a warming cloth that people use when starting seedlings. I haven't bought one for years, but don't recall very expensive. Also, a heating tape that people use to prevent freezing of exposed pipes will do. Set you orchids on a tray with water and gravel or a humidity tray on top of the warmer and see if the do better. Be careful, not too hot. They will not do will in a soup.
Nick