Explore the Outdoors! - Orchid Board

Heather · #1 (**permalink**) 05-15-2006, 05:18 PM

There's a new story entry added:

Explore the Outdoors!

Quote:

With summertime fast approaching, many orchid hobbyists may be wondering how to acclimate their plants to outdoor growing conditions. Orchids can thrive growing outdoors in the summertime. Plants grow better from extra light available, higher humidity, better air circulation, and a greater day-night temperature differential. However, there are some things to consider when transitioning plants to their new seasonal home.

Marty · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2006, 02:02 PM

Good Article Paphgirl. I wish I knew it before hand. Few years back I took my large cattleya outside. At first it was in the shade and everything was great, then sun moved in and poor thing baked hard. Lost a lot of the leaves, which turned black within a few days. It took over a year for it to recover fully.

Tindomul · #3 (**permalink**) 05-16-2006, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the article. I always wondered what was a good way to acclimatize orchids to growing out of doors.
Very nice!

Oscarman · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2006, 11:59 PM

Watering outdoors IS fast and easy. I wish I could grow outdoors year round! Last year with my catts outside they all simply needed a quick splash, and occassionaly a shot with the mist nozzle.

Thanks for the article - good stuff.

Randy · #5 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 11:42 AM

Good article!

When you grow outside for the summer be extra careful to watch out for slugs. They love to get inside the pots and eat nice fat roots.

I hate slugs (not the article) they ate up the roots to two lovely laelias last summer. I noticed they weren't doing so well and pulled them from the pots. The smell was enough to almost kill me. They are recovering and now growing new roots and both have new folliage growth, but I don't expect they'll flower this year.

Randy

Tindomul · #6 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy

I hate slugs (not the article) they ate up the roots to two lovely laelias last summer. I noticed they weren't doing so well and pulled them from the pots. The smell was enough to almost kill me. They are recovering and now growing new roots and both have new folliage growth, but I don't expect they'll flower this year.

Randy

What a shame! Good to hear you saved it though.

linda · #7 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 02:05 PM

I got a green house this last weekend, Its a large plastic, fun front plastic glass windows, it's a great set up, BUTTTT !! When we put it up I put my orchids in under the plastic glass windows (Not Thinking

) about how HOT the sun is here in Fl. and the next day I went out and there it is Sun burned orchids. (probly about 5 of them) not to bad but bad enough for them guys. I had them on my screen in porch. Befor I moved them in to the GH. I have a couple of question.
1. Is there anything i can do for the burned leaves?
I put shade cloths up on most of the windows ( the main ones)
2. Do I water 2 x a day or every other day like before?
I will enclose some pics.
If any one has any info or ideals i'll take them.

I tried to upload pics but it won't do it. SORRY guys.

Randy · #8 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linda

I got a green house this last weekend, Its a large plastic, fun front plastic glass windows, it's a great set up, BUTTTT !! When we put it up I put my orchids in under the plastic glass windows (Not Thinking

) about how HOT the sun is here in Fl. and the next day I went out and there it is Sun burned orchids. (probly about 5 of them) not to bad but bad enough for them guys. I had them on my screen in porch. Befor I moved them in to the GH. I have a couple of question.
1. Is there anything i can do for the burned leaves?
I put shade cloths up on most of the windows ( the main ones)
2. Do I water 2 x a day or every other day like before?
I will enclose some pics.
If any one has any info or ideals i'll take them.

I tried to upload pics but it won't do it. SORRY guys.

Linda,

Sorry to hear about the sunburn! Unlike with us, sunburn doesn't heal.

You will have damaged spots on the leaves that got burned. The good news is that the parts of the leaves that are unburned will continue to photosynthesize and nourish the plant.

If the leaves are fully burned simply remove them as they will not be able to perform photosythesis. Once you have new growths and new leaves just be careful not to burn them and remove the older, burnt ones as you can.

As for watering, it will depend on how many leaves are left to transpire water. Certainly you will need to water them to get new growth, but if the leaves are so badly damaged that they can't photosythesize the plants will need less water.

My

,
Randy

linda · #9 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 06:43 PM

Thanks Randy for your reply. I was just reading a little on you jounery of putting your green house togeather. Painful Hu? I went and got another fan for the GH today.It just seemed to of been to hot in there for them. I don't want to turn the sprayers on because i don't want to over water them. I did spray them and mist them every day. It's a lot better sence I put the shade cloth up But still hot. But thats florida's weather.
I'll have to post pics with my GH. Thanks again

Randy · #10 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 01:59 PM

Hi Linda,

A very fine mist blown around in the air under the shade cloth can help lower the temperature several degrees on days when it's not real humid out. And, it won't contribute to overwatering the plants. You can get a misting system and put it up around the edge of your shade area and turn it on and off during the day. With the fans blowing it could help you out. But remember, when it gets really humid it won't make much difference because there's already lots of moisture in the air.

Randy