Question
Hi! This is my 1st orchid.  I have had it since May and it has 5 new growths since then. It seems to be doing ok but hasn't bloomed again. I have 2 questions. 1. The roots are going crazy, growing up the leaves and around the bulbs. Is this normal? 2. Since I got it it has been warm but now that it's getting colder I want to be sure where I have it is ok. It is in a westerly kitchen window with indirect afternoon sun but our kitchen stays cool and the window can be drafty. We don't have a problem with humidity in Delaware and I have it sitting in a container that holds glass stones which seems to be well ventilated. Will the cool air be ok for it over the winter?  Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Janet,

It sounds like you are doing a good job in growing it, keep up the good work.  

If you mean the lowest temperature it would be exposed to by the kitchen window is around 50F then that is okay but if it will be much lower than that I would suggest moving it to where it could stay above 50F.  Living in Delaware and winter approaching, you probably could move it to where it will receive direct morning or late afternoon sunlight.  Just remember to move it back in the spring.  

If all goes well, you should see a spindly spike emerge from between the lower leafs in late winter, it will grow longer over several months with buds forming and finally flowers.  

Keep up the good work!  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.