How to care for orchids on rooftops and balconies

In urban apartments where every inch of space is precious, rooftops and balconies can be usedto grow orchids, and as long as they are put to good use, you can still groworchidswell. The principles for setting up an orchid shelter on a rooftop or balcony are no different from those for a courtyard, except that in high places you must make sure the structure is sturdy and able to withstand strong winds or typhoons. Because cement surfaces evaporate a lot of moisture, they dry out very easily, so humidity equipment needs to be added. Balconies generally have poorer ventilation than rooftops, especially north-facing balconies, which not only get insufficient sunlight but also often face monsoons or terrain winds in winter, so wind-blocking equipment is essential for the orchid plants to stay vigorous. If light is insufficient, you should choose types that do not need strong light, or you can buy sunlamps, grow lights and the like to make up for the lack of sunlight. (Xue Congxian)