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The types of orchids that we grow in our greenhouses, conservatories or in the home would naturally grow in rainforests all over the world. We try to recreate these conditions to get the best from our plants and this need not be as hard as you think!
 

LIGHT
  Orchids do not like bright, direct sun especially in summer as their leaves can burn so keep them in dappled shade except in winter when the sun is not so strong.
 

TEMPERATURE
   Orchids usually fall into 1 of 3 catagories - cool, intermediate or warm - here is a guide to the temperatures :

Cool : winter minimum 10°C (50°F)
           summer maximum 22°C (75°F)

Intermediate : winter minimum 12°C (55°F)
                       summer maximum 25°C (80°F)

Warm : winter minimum 18°C (65°F)
             summer maximum 27°C (85°F)
 

  The winter minimum temperatures are more vital for nightime and it is natural for there to be a rise and fall between day and night and between the seasons
 

WATERING and HUMIDITY
   Rainforests are naturally humid places so to create this at home you can grow other suitable companion plants such as ferns and air plants with your orchids, mist the foliage several times a week and stand the pots on damp pebbles from where the moisture will evaporate around the plants.

   When it comes to  watering the plants, do not rely on them taking up water from underneath the pot as this can lead to the compost becoming too wet.  Instead take your plant to the sink and water from above, letting it run through the open bark-based compost.  This is usually done 1-2 times a week with a little houseplant fertiliser every 3rd watering in the summer.