In Guangdong, the weather has basically entered autumn, but the temperature is still quite high, often reaching around 32 °C at noon. Therefore, when caring for moth orchids, it’s still best to treat them as if it were summer.
On this journey of orchid care, many plant lovers may have the idea that high temperatures will “cook” their Phalaenopsis orchids, so at this time they’d rather do less than risk doing more — meaning they dare not repot. But in fact, from my own personal experience, that’s a mistake! Summer’s high temperatures are actually the best time for repotting. Why do I say that?
From a scientific perspective, high temperatures in summer are not necessarily harmful to moth orchids — in fact, they can be beneficial. When the temperature rises, their vegetative growth becomes especially vigorous, almost like giving the plant a speed boost. Their metabolism increases rapidly, and even if there was some minor damage before, it repairs itself much faster in this season. It’s just like how, in a warm environment, blood circulation in the human body becomes smoother and our functions more active.
Based on my own experience with growing moth orchids, this is the best proof. For four years in a row, the temperature on my south-facing balcony in summer often soared to 38 °C, and sometimes the thermometer even went above that. But guess what? Not only did those orchids live well, they also sent out a big flush of new roots every year — white, crystal-like root tips popping out non-stop, which was a joy to see. What’s more, after repotting, the plants adapted surprisingly quickly. Sometimes, just a few days after repotting, you could already see new roots digging into the medium, not delicate at all.
Another major benefit of high temperatures is that they help Phalaenopsis orchids adapt more quickly to their new environment. When the temperature is right, the plant’s “vitality switch” is turned on: the roots grow vigorously and grip the medium firmly. These newly grown roots are like little storage houses, continuously supplying the plant with energy. Once it has built up enough strength, when the flowering season comes, it can naturally burst into a pot full of blossoms.
From this, it’s clear that we shouldn’t be constrained by the old saying that “orchids shouldn’t be repotted in hot weather.” Temperature itself isn’t the problem — the key is to protect them from direct sun and avoid scorching heat.
Leave a Reply