Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarron
(while not orchids because most orchids won't tolerate below 15F) I've had lots of issues with rain day after day after day...for 2-3 weeks and things simply rotting in the cold wet rain (I'm in Arkansas not California). Probably a good part of it is that things simply don't dry here during those times, the humidity will be 70-90%.
I can see issues absolutely for sure with my winter->spring rain patterns, unless I had only mounted plants with no real media.
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The humidity difference is the big factor. Also temperature range. California rain tends to be intermittent. We might get a few days or even a few weeks in a row that are wet, but even then it isn't constant. And once the rain stops things dry out. It's more of a desert-like rain pattern. In southern California, frost is pretty rare though there is a bit inland.(But only a few degrees, rarely below 29 deg F) Similar pattern for SF area... but even when it occurs, usually for only a few hours, followed by warmer days. (In fact, when it rains, the clouds keep the night temperatures well above freezing, it's the clear nights that can get colder) The Aussie Dens do great throughout the coastal band from San Francisco to San Diego. The spring shows tend to be awash in large Aussie Dens full of flowers that are mostly outdoor-gown. It's a unique climate - we can get away with a lot that most folks can't. (The OP is in the SF Bay area, I'm in southern California)
Lil Duck, there are several terrific orchid clubs in the SF Bay area. Consider joining one or more of them, you'll get a lot of local knowledge that way. (I actually am a member of the San Francisco Orchid Society, joined during the pandemic shutdowns and they have continued to Zoom their meetings while they also are meeting in person so I can continue to "attend")
---------- Post added at 08:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:09 AM ----------
A note to the OP, and also anybody else in the San Francisco Bay area... I strongly suggest that you get your hands on "A Bay Area Guide to Orchids and Their Culture" written by Mary E. Gerritsen for the SF Orchid Society. It is full of hyper-local information, for the various zones within the Bay area, addressing the differences of the different areas.
A Bay Area Guide to Orchids and their Culture
I find it useful because I know enough about the differences between the SF area and where I live to interpolate to my conditions. But for those in the SF Bay area, it's very specific. A fantastic resource.
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