Anyone growing outdoors in North Georgia?
 

Hey guys!
How are yall doing? Four months orchid growing expert here:rofl: in need of some real expert advise:bowing
Checking to see if anyone grows outdoor for the spring/ summer in North GA? I have Cattleya growing in Leca (semi-hydro), Onc. - Sharry Baby growing in bark and two phalaenopsis also growing in bark. I also have a Vanda growing bare rooted (hanging in the window).
I would be placing them on my east facing deck that gets direct sun from about 7am to about 2pm when the sun passes over the house. Just need to know if this would be OK now that spring is officially here:biggrin: and what you do to keep the bugs off them:evil:
As always thanks in advance for your help, take care and God bless!!

I’m a little bit further south than you buuuuuuuut...
If you are taking about full sun until 2pm with no shading whatsoever, zero, zip, zilch:
The phal will burn to the point of death
The oncodium will burn, be stressed and have some downright ugly leaves if it doesn’t fry off all of its foliage
The Cattleya will most likely burn (depending on type), be stressed in the dog days of summer, and also have some downright ugly leaves
The Vanda may also burn. Possibly not, but I don’t really grow these so someone else will have to guide you with that one. I burned the crap out of mine (in the sun till 2) but I also was not providing enough water and air movement. It’s dead now.

Any way to put up a shade cloth?
And to keep the bugs off of them? Say a prayer.
Be vigilant and check them every day for bugs, snails and other creepy crawlies and treat as needed. Keep your orchids as healthy as possible and bugs seem to like them less

EDIT: I am not saying that these can not, or should not, be grow outdoors in your climate. My entire collection is grown outside. I would just back off on the sun intensity

Hi Mr. C.

I grow in Athens, Ga, outdoors in the warm months.
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I also recommend a shade of some type. Mine is very simple (cheap and crude, like myself, but effective). I have a very simple pressure treated wood frame over which I have loosely attached some gray plastic window screen. A single layer of screen is adequate for light loving plants, but Phals, Paphiopedilums and other shade lovers get 2 layers. My plants sit off the ground, on a plant bench, over which the shade hangs.

I don't get too many insects. When I do, I treat with Imidacloprid-based as directed. Snails are more of an issue, I treat with metaldehyde.

I'm with the Northeast GA Orchid Society, we typically meet the third Sunday each month at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. If you (or anyone!!) Would like to be added to our e-mail list for future events, send me a PM!

Thanks so much for your quick and detailed reply. I believe I can find them some shade and I'll start praying:biggrin:

---------- Post added at 05:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 PM ----------

Hello OW!!
Not sure if you are the person with the youtube channel , I like watching that! Thanks for your help! I'll send you a PM shortly.

Sorry to disappoint . . .
Definitely not the YouTube guy.

It doenst have to be anything elaborate. Something like OW mentioned is perfect. My solution was even more ‘low tech’ when my collection was just a dozen orchids (and probably far less attractive..). I picked up an old bakers rack at the thrift store for $15 and put a bit of shade cloth over it and ran a little fan nearby. It was ugly but it worked great.

GM!
Found me a stand that has one shelf (only have four orchids for it), found an old blind in the garage. Place the orchids on the shelf, each in a saucer that I fill with water, and use the blind to cover the top. They will get the morning sun and be shaded as the sun passes over. Nothing fancy, but it should do the job. The Vanda however I just hang on the side of the house. I will monitor it as the days get hotter.
Now I'll start the praying and stock up on some stuff that OW suggested to fight with those darn bugs:evil: Thanks again for both your help :bowing, take care and God bless.

You probably will have less problems with insects than you think. Oddly, insects only seem to be an issue after my plants have been indoors a few months. I think beneficial bugs keep the bad bugs in check. Just a guess.

Snails/slugs, definitely a problem outdoors, requiring control. Keep metaldehyde out of the reach of children or pets.

Thanks!!!