orchid growing tips

Hi

I got a oncidium orchid for my bday.

Checked for growing tips and it says it needs

Ventilation (to leave a fan on)
a room temp of 10 -15 c at night
in direct sunlight

How exactly do you provide this environment in UK with the current weather.

I have already lost a huge cactus and am determined not to loose this one.

Orchid lovers please advice

Thanks
Michelle

 

Oncidium Orchid Plant Profile
Oncidium Orchids prefer intermediate temperatures. However as Oncidiums originally come from a range of climates from sea level in the tropics to the high mountains of South A merica. Generally speaking they are a hardy variety and will survive in less than ideal conditions. Oncidiums are sometimes referred to as 'dancing girls'
From
http://www.nurseriesonline.com.au/PAGES/Oncidium-Orchids.htm

History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncidium


Culture notes
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Recreation/Orchidcongress/cculture/oncidium.html

Liz

 

Thanks a mill Liz, the last link makes a lot of sense.

Will keep my fingers crossed

Thanks again
Michelle

 

Another shock

Just noticed that mine have these pest on it !!! by the looks of it they seem to be 'aphids' I don’t want to use pesticides inside the house and don’t really want to use chemicals.

1. Will spraying water on them once a day help or will it damage the plant ?

2. Will the pest spread to my cactuses and other plants all of which are inside the house

I have done the 'sanitation' bit mentioned on this site 'http://www.orchids.mu/Problems/Pests/'

any ideas ???

 

Go ahead and spray them daily with water, this is how you rid a plant of aphids. I don't believe aphids enjoy all plants. I had them on a lily and they never went to other plants. I grow orchids and hoyas.

 

No No No...Oncidiums will rot with all that moisture unless this is your season for a flush of growth?... aphids can be dealt with "manually or womanually" if you must,
as these can be easily removed with your hands at the ready. Oncidiums have two seasons, a wet season when growth is exploding, and almost dry, semi dormant to resting (which species do you have? Mexican/Central American or other? Brazilian?)... spray only the once if dormant, go crazy if not...lol.. and give them loads of light during the winter! Which I read that you are... You have a brave task before you.

Phalaenopsis have been a charm for me, blooming for over 4 years on average up to 9 months at a time...my success is the diurnal temperature range..., but Cattleyas are even easier to maintain and for years.... however, having a green house is the Maybach of all growing environments for Orchids... I used to have one... thinking about putting one in for the following fall.... good luck, and squish all those nasty ahpids...