Should cattleya (blc) orchids be misted on the leaves - Orchid Board

monet · #1 08-23-2010, 05:27 PM

.Hi,
Please can you tell me if blc orchids should be misted on the leaves.

WhiteRabbit · #2 08-23-2010, 06:00 PM

Misting foliage is generally not recommended ...
Where I live it can be rather hot and dry in summer, so I do 'mist' aerial roots. If you feel your humidity is too low, a humidifier is a better option - tho as I said, where I live humidity in summer can be quite low, and for the most part I don't do anything to increase humidity. Just need to water more often in the dry heat ...

Eyebabe · #3 08-23-2010, 06:15 PM

I will "mist" the roots as well.
The reason I am using quotes is that surely, with as many plants as I have, leaves are getting wet as well.
Any phal that gets water in the crown, I will stop what I am "misting" and manually dry the wet crown.
I have to be honest and say I will also dry phal leaves that get water on them too...
Otherwise, I have a fan strategically placed that will run after I am done "misting" so moisture is not sitting too long on the leaves.
...but the fan also can dry out the roots again

Fortunately, most of my plants are catts and they prefer a good wet/dry cycle

johnblagg · #4 08-23-2010, 06:20 PM

I mist my blc orchids and in fact all while they are outside in summer and once in a while even inside after all they do get rained on in the wild and fog ect they do not stay perfectly dry.....I actually place them in the shower once a week when inside and give them a good "rain" to wash off dirt and accumulating fertilizer deposits

fotofashion · #5 08-23-2010, 07:26 PM

I spray all my outdoor kept orchids sometimes twice a day. It has been very hot here-upper 90's and even 100. If the leaves feel hot, it is time to cool them down by a good spray of water. It also washes off whatever dust on the leaves.
Beverly A.

Oscarman · #6 08-24-2010, 12:19 AM

All my plants get a generous misting with the garden hose on a daily basis to help moisten them and boost the humidity in my growing room.

There is a large fan that blows accross my plants to ensure that they dry off and are never wet going into the night.

If your water is hard you will evnetually get some white mineral depostes on the leaves. MOst of this can be washed off.

I am told that CLR in the pre-mixed spray bottle format caqn be used to remove stubborn scale deposits.

monet · #7 08-24-2010, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Misting foliage is generally not recommended ...
Where I live it can be rather hot and dry in summer, so I do 'mist' aerial roots. If you feel your humidity is too low, a humidifier is a better option - tho as I said, where I live humidity in summer can be quite low, and for the most part I don't do anything to increase humidity. Just need to water more often in the dry heat ...

Many thanks to everybody who replied to my question. This is such a great hobby lovely people to help.
Monet.

Junebug · #8 08-24-2010, 09:36 PM

Misting mature Cattleya leaves doesn't seem to be a problem, but it has the potential to rot new short growths if there's insufficient air circulation. If the plant is grown outdoors it's better to mist earlier in the day so things have a chance to dry out before nightfall.

monet · #9 08-25-2010, 03:38 AM

Hi Junebug,
Thank you for your advise. I love this site lovely people to chat with.
Monet.

monet · #10 08-26-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscarman

All my plants get a generous misting with the garden hose on a daily basis to help moisten them and boost the humidity in my growing room.

There is a large fan that blows accross my plants to ensure that they dry off and are never wet going into the night.

If your water is hard you will evnetually get some white mineral depostes on the leaves. MOst of this can be washed off.

I am told that CLR in the pre-mixed spray bottle format caqn be used to remove stubborn scale deposits.

Thank you for your reply.
Monet.