Costa Rica Spotlight: Costa Rica offers Orchid Lovers a Treat
As you travel Costa Rica you will see many species of Orchids  in Costa Ricain full bloom.  Especially in the dry season of January through April, providing the ideal natural conditions for the orchids to  bloom and thrive.  They are seen mostly in peoples homes and also in hotel lobbies.  It is rare, but not impossible to see an orchid growing in the wild.   These  natural occurring ideal growing conditions include:  1. 70 degree temperatures during the day and 60 degrees at night, with warm tropical breezes  2. Ideal lighting conditions of warm filtered sunshine  8-9 hours a day.  Do not place orchids in direct sunlight.  2 Most varieties of orchids do not like a lot of watering so this natural dry season is perfect.  This makes the orchids bloom and remain in bloom.  3. Natural humidity of 50-60 percent provides the right amount of moisture they need.   Most tropical orchids anchor onto tree bark or even on rocks and thrive because they can exist in nutrient poor habitats.  They are not parasites and do not sap the life from the tree,  instead the thick roots of the orchids catch whatever moisture and nutrients that are in the air, and the thick  leaves and swollen stems store  water for long periods of time.