"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...
In article ,
ned wrote:

Ooooh, you are on a hiding to nothing with that question.
Experts will want to know 'Species', 'variety', 'country of
origin',
..........etc.

Quite. But the majority of orchids sold in garden centres in the UK
belong to one of a few species.

But, generally, keep out of direct sun, protect from frost, try to
maintain a 'moderate' temperature and at this time of year, water
sparingly. A humid atmosphere is usually recommended but, apart
from
placing a tray of half submerged pebbles nearby, that is not often
practical in the normal domestic indoor environment. If as you say
it
is 'beautiful', we can assume that it is now in flower as is normal
for many varieties. Flowering can last many weeks. Do not over
water.
Many orchids have 'pseudo bulbs' which act as their own self
contained
moisture reservoirs.
The compost should be loose and free draining. Stand the pot on
pebbles or coarse gravel to allow excess water to drain away
freely.
Permanently wet roots will rot.

Yes, but I have a few niggles. That advice is a clone of that given
to Californians, and does NOT map directly to the UK!

I have a few niggles, too! ;-)
I am not a Californian, nor was the orchid specialist who gave me the
advice - which has served me well over the last 20 years. I am sorry
if it does 'NOT map' directly to Cambridgeshire. It has proved
satisfactory for Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

I have only a
Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium,

........ Oh. Definitely an expert then. ;-)

but the following remarks apply to most
tropical house plants (including my orchids).

In terms of direct sun, even our summer sun is rarely strong enough
to worry them - yes, I really DO mean that it is comparable to
the light levels in a tropical forest!

A tropical forest can be a very dark and oppressive place and some
orchids will never see direct sunlight..

In the winter, they like
all the sun they can get, and then more. Just don't keep them
immediately behind south-facing, sunny glass in the summer.

Last sentence, agreed. Mine are placed outside in dappled sunshine all
summer.

For
the next few months, however, a south facing window (away from the
glass) is none too much sun.

Similarly, most DON'T want high humidity, ESPECIALLY in cool, dark
conditions. UK relative humidities can be sky-high,

..... rarely, and certainly not .......

In a relatively
cool, naturally ventilated room in most of the UK, (where) the
humidities
ARE what (desert) Californians (might) call high!

Perhaps Kew don't know any better but their 'high humidity' tropical
environments are positively dripping with water. Few domestic
environments come anywhere near close to those conditions. My
suggestion of a bowl of half submerged pebbles is unlikely to create
'high' humidity.

My advice was stated to be 'general'. For me, it has successfully
stood the test of time. If Mr MacLaren's orchids survive a different
regime, then that serves to prove just how tolerant orchids can be and
should lessen Gea's fears.

Gea, as with most things in life, approach them with moderation in
mind, orchids grow in many homes across the UK. They can in yours,
too. ;-)

--
ned