The manner in which you water the Nervilia fordii will depend somewhat on whether or not your plant is in an active growth phase. If so, you should apply water to your plant’s soil and, if the weather is warm, perform occasional overhead watering to allow the plant to absorb moisture through its leaves. By contrast, in winter, and when the weather is cool or wet generally, you should stick to watering the soil directly rather than including overhead watering as well. You’ll know your Nervilia fordii needs more water if its roots and leaves become thin and dry or show discoloration. Nervilia fordii receives too much water will look mushy and limp. You should grow your Nervilia fordii in a pot and ensure that the potting mix you use has fantastic drainage. During the growing season, you’ll need to water this plant multiple times per week. However, each watering should drain quickly through the growing medium to prevent any standing water. The amount of water you give will change based on the size of the pot you use. Generally, pots that are a bit larger will need water less frequently, while smaller pots will have a slightly more frequent watering schedule. Rainwater and distilled water are the best kinds of water to use for this plant, and it is best if the water you use matches the temperature of the air as closely as possible.

Allowing your Nervilia fordii to sit in soil that remains too moist for too long is one of the most common ways to kill this plant. While these plants need water frequently during active growth, they also need to live in a growing medium that drains water rapidly. When this plant experiences overwatering, it will become mushy and develop root rot. If that occurs, you should be prepared to use a pair of sterile pruning shears to cut out any roots that show signs of rot. After doing that, you should then repot your Nervilia fordii, ensuring that the container allows for drainage and that you fill the container with a fast-draining potting mix. However, Nervilia fordii doesn’t typically respond that well to excessive repotting, so it is crucial to get your watering rate right. Underwatered Nervilia fordii will begin to shrivel and feel dry to the touch. If this occurs, it is likely because the soil is drying out faster than you expected, which means you should increase your watering frequency.

During the active growth stage, which spans the spring and summer months, you should plan to water your Nervilia fordii about once or twice per week while increasing that rate to three times per week or more in the case of long periods of hot and dry weather. In the winter, you will also need to water your Nervilia fordii, but not nearly as much. A watering frequency of two to three times per month should be enough to keep your Nervilia fordii alive during the coldest months. However, if you keep your Nervilia fordii indoors during winter, you should account for the fact that indoor growing locations can cause the soil to dry quicker than usual, which may mean you need to increase the number of monthly waterings. You can use the fall as a time to gradually reduce your watering frequency from the summer rate of multiple times per week down to your reduced winter watering schedule.

There are two important growth phases that you should consider when planning the watering schedule for your Nervilia fordii. The first of those periods is the active growth period, which happens in spring and summer, and which calls for watering this plant multiple times per week. The second important growth period is the rest period that the Nervilia fordii should experience for about two to three months each year during winter. During that time, your plant will need far less water and fertilization than normal. Water about once or twice per month during this time. During the fall, you should begin to gradually reduce your watering frequency from multiple times per week all the way down to the once or twice per month rate that is appropriate for winter.

The Nervilia fordii requires a growing environment that is relatively humid. Unfortunately, most indoor growing locations will lack the level of air moisture that this plant prefers. This causes the plant and its soil to dry out more quickly than it would when growing outdoors. To combat this effect, you may want to include a humidifier in the room where you grow your Nervilia fordii. You may also need to water it a bit more frequently as well. However, while Nervilia fordiis do prefer humidity, they also require adequate air circulation as well, to prevent excessive moisture build-ups and the diseases that can result. Consider including a fan in the room where you grow this plant as well to ensure proper air circulation remains present.

While both Nervilia fordii and Nervilia fordii require different levels of maintenance, they both grow best within the same temperature range. For warm-weather plants to thrive, you’ll want to keep them between 75-90℉ (25-32℃). Nervilia fordii can handle some temperatures outside of this range, but if at all possible, keep your growing environment within several degrees of these limits. As for the highest and lowest temperatures Nervilia fordii can withstand, that would fall between 50℉ (15℃) on the lower limit and 95℉(35℃) on the higher limit. As Nervilia fordii prefers warmer weather, traditionally growing in summer if planted outdoors, the lower temperature range is the most important to avoid. Going below 70℉ (25℃) will result in slowed growth, and anything below 50℉ (15℃) will start to damage and even kill the plants.

The Nervilia fordii will not bloom or flower if kept in low temperatures, so make sure to maintain a consistent range to allow them to flower to their full potential. Temperature fluctuations are also harmful, no matter what phase of growth they are in. Going below 70℉ (25℃) and above 90℉ (32℃) can slow down and hinder Nervilia fordii growing phase, while sitting below 50℉ (15℃) for long periods of time can prevent them from flowering all together. Nervilia fordii is not hardy, and therefore need a well-turned environment to grow properly. You’ll want to retain as much control over the temperature as you possibly can. Nervilia fordii will also need to go through a cool period, which we discuss further below.

Tip #1: After Blooming, Nervilia fordii Need a Cool Period When grown outside, Nervilia fordii will go through a necessary cooling period for winter. When grown indoors or in a greenhouse, this same rule must be followed, but can happen during any season. If done correctly, your Nervilia fordii can bloom multiple times a year. Keep your Nervilia fordii between 75-90℉ (25-32℃) during this cooling period for the optimal effect. Tip #2: Nervilia fordii Prefer it Colder at Night While you are likely going to grow your Nervilia fordii, where you can keep them within the optimal temperature range and give them the right amount of light, Nervilia fordii prefers colder temperatures at night when grown outdoors. This temperature range usually moves between 50~75℉(15-25℃). Due to the lack of climate control that growing outdoors involves, it's usually impossible to control if Nervilia fordii stays within this range. Tip #3: Watch for the Signs of Cold Damage Because Nervilia fordii enjoys the higher temperatures and lacks the hardiness of winter plants, it is especially susceptible to cold damage. You’ll want to make sure you monitor the temperature of your growing space closely. Anything below 50℉ (15℃) will begin to harm your plants, and too much cold exposure can kill them entirely. Watch for the signs that this damage is occurring: if your Nervilia fordii starts to show discoloration on their foliage and stems, that means they are getting too cold. If large sections of your Nervilia fordii are drying and turning brown, that means that the tissue is dying. Move Nervilia fordii to a warmer environment immediately; in some cases, they can recover.

Unless you intend to grow Nervilia fordii outside, you won’t need to worry about different temperatures for different seasons. If you can’t find space in your home or a greenhouse and you have to use an outdoor space, make sure that you grow them in the summer. You’ll also have to check that your area reaches, but doesn’t exceed, temperatures of between 75-90℉ (25-32℃). It can be nearly impossible to control outdoor weather conditions in that way, so it's almost always better to use an indoor space or greenhouse. Nervilia fordii prefers as much sunlight as possible, so you’ll need to pick an area that gets ample natural light. A greenhouse makes this the better of the two options; these structures allow Nervilia fordii to get the most direct sunlight possible while still maintaining the high temperatures they require.

The best way to maintain the right temperature for Nervilia fordii is to place them in a climate controlled environment. This can be a room within your home, provided you have A/C or fans to ensure that the area stays within the optimal temperature range. If you live in a colder region, you will need to make sure you have a quality heating system. Nervilia fordii does best in a hot environment, so you’ll want to ensure you have the ability to heat a room to temperatures as high as 75℉ (25℃). If you can’t feasibly heat a room in your home up to those temperatures, you’ll want to consider placing your Nervilia fordii inside of a greenhouse. A greenhouse can save you money on heating, as the structure is naturally heated when sunlight passes through its clear or opaque glass panels. This keeps the greenhouse at the right temperature, making sure that Nervilia fordii is growing in the best environment possible.