Growing orchids outside in Ft Lauderdale - Orchid Board

susiep · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 11:24 PM

I am looking forward to seeing the posts of other outside growers. It is pretty easy here in south Florida. You just need to make some shade. Plenty of natural humidity and rainwater, too much for me sometimes, but not for the orchids. I lost my only shade tree during Hurricane Wilma so I threw together a shade house out of an arbor, a couple wood trellises and a couple rolls of solar screen. Recently I added on with 2 more arbors and screened them, too. Most everyone fits inside now (very crowded) just in time for summer. Believe it or not there are about 60 plants sqwished in there! I take the blooming plants in the house to enjoy. I also have staghorn ferns but they are too big for the shade house and have to stay on the porch. There is a pic of 2 of them here too

. I look forward to seeing other members setups!

susiep · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 01:08 PM

Please post pictures of your outdoor growing arrangements! I am out of room and need ideas!

cb977 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 02:19 PM

Susie, great plants and a lovely setup! Well done!!!

I'll post a few pics when the chids that hang out by the pool come out of their winter room

Any day now.......

isurus79 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 02:49 PM

Nice setup!! Thats the type of setup I want for myself when I buy a house, though with 99 plants and likely more on the way, I might have to build a bigger structure. What are the dimensions of your shade house?

susiep · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 07:12 PM

I used 3 precut wooden arbors and just assembled them in a weird configuration. The first arbor (from Target)was assembled in the usual way (like an arch) but I closed the back with 2 wooden trellises (from Walmart) and screened in all 3 sides and the roof with solar screen. Then I put a bench across the back (on the trellises). Originally I closed the front with a roll up bamboo shade. That worked for a while, then I added 2 more arbors (from Home Depot). However I didn't have room for 3 arches in a row. So I made 2 L's with the 2 sides of each arbor and arranged them in front of the first arbor to make a modified T shape. The doorway is in the middle at the top of the T. Screened the top and sides. I can just walk in and turn around in the center. It is small (about 20 sq ft) but it is almost 7' high. Vandas and their crazy roots in one corner, small plants on benches in another. There are 63 plants in there! Crazy, huh?

isurus79 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 09:53 PM

Thats pretty cool. I like how it just seems to evolve over time!!

flhiker · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:16 PM

Nice setup. I just hang mine on the front porch. If you want to get some good Ideas, go to Broward Orchid Supply. Its run by a couple that sells supplies and work out of their home where they grow there personal collection and have a great setup. They are happy to show you around. I got some great mounting material there.

susiep · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:42 PM

Dave, you have a nice setup! Lots of natural shade (which I don't have). I live in a gated community and we aren't allowed to have "structures" in our yards. I keep mine small and hidden by shrubbery. Plus my neighbors are cool about it. I wish I had the space that you have! I remember you mentioned Broward before. I work about 1 mile from them! I need to call them to see if I can come by.

flhiker · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susiep

Dave, you have a nice setup! Lots of natural shade (which I don't have). I live in a gated community and we aren't allowed to have "structures" in our yards. I keep mine small and hidden by shrubbery. Plus my neighbors are cool about it. I wish I had the space that you have! I remember you mentioned Broward before. I work about 1 mile from them! I need to call them to see if I can come by.

That is their setup not mine. They have portable plants stands too. I just dropped by but it might be a good Idea to call first. You will love it. I took a lot of pictures but it would be best if you check it out in person.

susiep · #10 (**permalink**) 03-15-2008, 12:41 AM

Dave, I went to Broward Orchid today and got a bunch of stuff. They are so nice and they remembered you! I bought fern bark, fertilizer, Sluggo, etc. However, I left there with cuttings off their epidendrums, a rooted coconut (palm), and a bunch of succulents cuttings that they just gave me. What nice people. I have bought things from them many times at the shows but this is the first time at their place. They will be at the Flamingo Gardens show next weekend. He even gave me suggestions (whch I posted) on how to deal with the "Palm Tree" vanda syndrome.