I agree with Arthur (hi Arthur), however what I experience is light is at the top of your list. If a plant does not get sufficient light, everything else doesn't matter. Plants of all types cannot function if their light levels are not met. They do not take up water, nor fertilizer.

Give the correct light and all the others, including water become important. So, light, water, temperature, etc.

Jane,

I would say light, temp, water are all equally important to keep the plant HEALTHY…key word. Too much water or not enough and the roots die. Too warm or too cold can have adverse effects too. Too much light will burn the leaves unless that is what that particular plant requires.

Bottom line is they are all important. But the most important requirement for your orchids is to do your research and learn what it needs to thrive.

I agree..LIGHT!!

I have been growing them for years, and I use and provide everything they need to thrive. But without adequate light, they do not thrive at all. They never flower and much less spikes for those that do. Much less growth. Even in the best medium, rotted roots.

Mike is right!!

Jane

Jane, foremost, glad to see you post and know that you are ok))

You know, I have seen totally abused orchids in captivity and in the wild still survive and grow in places where lots of lights exist. Thank God for artificial lights and the true sun, right?

Mike))))

Humidity high on the list with light, they can put up with a lot of heat with humidity, not direct light, but a lot of light means more branching (recent study) this year

HU, I'm growing somewhere around 800 orchids in south Florida. They can take sun, much more than most realize. I have Phals growing in almost full East sun outside on my screened patio. The only thing which cuts the intense light is the screen. So maybe it cuts full sun by 15%? Don't know, but I'm sure there's info somewhere.

I have Phals growing with no media, just sitting on mounts, trees, and empty pots. I rarely fertilize and get incredible flowering. Catts are in full sun, light green leaves, lots of growths and flowers.

Thin leafed orchids need some shade in the hot afternoon, but again, I've learned once accustomed to strong light they grow at double the rate.

I learned from the best, Howard Ashley, who was once a member of this forum. Light is king, everything else is secondary. Most plants, orchids and houseplants grow at double the rate with stronger light. Gradually get them accustomed to increasing light and watch what happens.

Jane, agreed))

My Phals are in a south facing window only blocked by a screen and boy they thrive. I guess the screen helps. That is where they bloom the best even in summer.

I'm finding that the more sunlight most of mine get, with a light weight shade cloth, the more spikes and blooms. The leaves do get much lighter but I would rather that than dark green leaves and no blooms if any..

I know most orchids do grow outside and even under trees, get a huge more amount of light than those grown inside.

Mike

Absolutely, Mike.

Sun is the energy plants grow on. If light is not sufficient, they do not take up water, fertilizer, etc. Most new growers, do not realize the importance of light. Just do it very gradually.

Jane

I just want to correct my above post. I really do not think I'm growing 800 orchids!!

That was a typo. I noticed it when I came back to this post.

I do grow too many and need to downsize, but growing in Florida now makes it hard to cut back. They almost grow well without any help from humans.

I have no idea how many I have. Probably somewhere around 150-200 not counting those growing on trees...I stick all keikis on trees or when dividing large plants, I'll stick a few pieces on a tree and its on its own.

Just wanted to correct that typo, I absolutely do not have 800 orchids!

Sorry,

Jane

In my opinion and experience:

1) Temperature - A frozen orchid will have cell damage that they won't be able to recover from. A roasted and burnt one has the same issue. This is number 1 for me.

2) Humidity - Closely related to 1. Humidity is necessary for sensitive orchids to survive, (think Pleurothallids and Masdies) and for all others to thrive and bloom. You're not going to get growth and blooms without humidity. Too much and you'll get disease and rot. Also have found that as long as there is humidity around the roots that is satisfactory, the room an orchid is in doesn't necessarily need to be very high in humidity (thinking of orchids grown on windowsills). Being creative with potting and media helps here.

3) Lighting - most orchids can survive (not thrive) in lighting not suited for them if 1 and 2 are there. A lot of orchids can throw up one or two blooms for the same reason but to see really great growth, root porn and sprays of blooms you need the correct light. And often orchids need more or longer hours of light than most people think.

4) Water quality - again, orchids can get used to a lot but the more sensitive ones will suffer.

5) Media, frequency of watering - these two are related. You can get away with porous, dry media if you water frequently. You can get away with very wet and slowly drying media if you water less frequently. These 2 factors are not as crucial as 1-2 and 3 because you can work around it.

Just my 2 cents.