How hot is too hot? Dry? Bugs?

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

I'd really like to have some of my orchids outside this Summer, but I'm scared! I live in the Central Valley of CA. Our summers are HOT, I'm talking we'll go weeks and never drop below 90 with multiple days over 100. Summers are also incredibly dry. Would shade cloth and a mister sytem be OK?

Another issue is bugs, specifically earwigs they are just disgusting. But, will they harm orchids and what would you suggest for keeping them away? The little buggers get into anything. I've got hanging fucshia baskets which aren't close to anything, and they even manage to get in there.

Thanks!

[Dorothy]

I can't answer you about growing outside in your conditions but
I can side with you about earwigs - they are disgusting
I totally dislike those buggers!

[justatypn]

Earwigs yuckie Earwigs are moisture loving buggers which love the night life and sleep during the day. They surround themselves around moist ares such as boards, vines and weeds and mulches. Try reducing their hidding places and moisture levels. You can trap them with a cat or tuna can with about an 1/2 inch or so with oil (fish and tuna oil <<< food of choice). YOu can use vegetable oil with a bit of bacon grease. Another sure way would be to use a roll of cardboard (paper towel roll) or newspaper placing at dusk to the corrupted area and in the morning take the newspaper or card board and dunk in soapy water. With this treatment you can do this until your waking eye see's no more.

As for your growing enviroment, can't help you there, growing indoors is my forte. It's extremely hot here and watering my houseplants that have homed on my patio get watered 3-4 times a week with daily misting (when I remember) and with that routine they are hangin' in there. Maybe a member will chime in and narrow your enviroment for you...gl

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[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

Thanks for the earwig traping tips. Not many bugs gross me out quite like them. They love my cannas and I transplanted a brugmansia last night and found that they'd made themselves at home on it.

I'm with you on the frequent watering of the patio plants Cheryl! Right now 4 times a week or so is OK for most of them. But by mid July I'll have to water daily.