How to Care for Jewel Orchids:

Jewel orchids
have very elegant leaves. Therefore, they are valued less for their flowers than for their foliage. If you want to grow one of these plants, there are a few things you should know beforehand. This article will give you a few tips on how to care for a jewel orchid.

Light

In the wild, these plants grow in places with low light. Therefore, it's best to provide low or medium light when growing one yourself. Avoid strong sunshine or bright light at all cost. You can simply use incandescent or fluorescent lights to provide the right amount of light.

Humidity

Jewel orchids require high humidity. If you're growing one in your home, then you need to pay special attention. This is because your air conditioner or heater will reduce the humidity in the home.

Water

As you just learned, these plants need a lot of humidity. Therefore, make sure you mist them regularly, especially if growing them inside your home. It's best that they're kept evenly moist. With this excess humidity, you will also need to provide adequate ventilation. This will reduce the risk of your plant falling victim to a fungal disease.

Temperature

Most species like to be grown in warm environments. However, there are a few that like cooler temperatures. In most situations, you should grow these orchids in temperatures ranging from 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. The temperature should range between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The minimum temperature you should expose one of these plants to is 45 degrees. The maximum temperature is 100 degrees.

Fertilizer

Jewel orchids need to be fed lightly during full growth. This occurs from Spring until early Fall. You should feed them every two weeks or so. Make sure you give clear waterings between applications because they are very sensitive to salt build-up. From Fall until the end of Winter, it's enough to feed the plant just once a month. It's best to use a fertilizer that has micronutrients. This not only provides support for the flowers, but also increases strength for new growth.