Orchids

Orchids are the largest plant species in the world. There are thirty-thousand different species of orchids and over fifty-thousand hybrid orchids.  Orchids inhabit every continent except Antarctica.  Orchids can be found in every climate zone from the desert, temperate, tropical, and alpine climates. This site will describe various common species of orchids and how to grow and nurture orchids by creating the appropriate micro-climates.

Cattleya Orchid
In my greenhouse, I have a small collection of about 80 orchids. I have a cool growing environment that is suitable for growing cool growing orchids such as cymbidiums but it is possible find warmer or intermediate micro-climates within my greenhouse to flower intermediate orchids such as cattleya, phragmipedium or paphiopedilum.
Winter Care For Cattleyas
Light: Provide all possible light to the plants to make up for short days and poor light quality; this will ensure proper ripening of growth and strong flower stems. I place my cattleya's on the highest shelf in the greenhouse.
Temperature: The temperature can drop to 10 to12 degrees celcius at night.  13 to 18 degrees celcius is preferred for night time temperatures. The ideal day temperatures would be 21 to 23 degrees celcius.
Water: Water with care during short cool days. Water early in the day to allow foliage to dry. In the dry Alberta winter weather, I might water the orchids once a week. I drenched the orchid mix by allowing the water to flush through the pot. I use winter melt snow in the winter and rainwater in the summer. I also use the water from my fish aquarium for fertilizing the orchids.
Fertilizer: Low nitrogen encourages maximum flower potential.
Watch for slow drying of mix and diseases caused by stale condition.