HELP! Will I have to leave my orchids behind?

[georgiabelle]

Originally Posted by Optimist

I lived near Ithica. (Took some classes at SUNY Cortland) I felt that it had sufficient humidity there. Those finger lakes create quite a bit of weather. I am growing the main 3 orchids well enough in New Mexico in the Texas Panhandle area, with only a small humidifyer. It is a beautiful area, by the way. New Yorks big secret. Winter is the big problem there.

I am extremely excited to be going up there! I have mostly phals and dendrobiums, with some oncidiums. I'm glad I can take them with me and won't have to stop collecting while I'm still in Florida!


Also gngrhill - it helps a bunch! I've been looking at apartments in Geneva with LOTS of windows so I have LOTS of growing space!!!

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by georgiabelle

I am extremely excited to be going up there! I have mostly phals and dendrobiums, with some oncidiums. I'm glad I can take them with me and won't have to stop collecting while I'm still in Florida!


Also gngrhill - it helps a bunch! I've been looking at apartments in Geneva with LOTS of windows so I have LOTS of growing space!!!

Window are GREAT. I have now 8 Phals in spike or bloom on windowsills, and 2 Oncidiums in spike also on window sills. You should be ok with what you have. If you have problems with humidity, a small room size humidifier will get you up around 50 to 60 percent which is plenty for most orchids.

[georgiabelle]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

Window are GREAT. I have now 8 Phals in spike or bloom on windowsills, and 2 Oncidiums in spike also on window sills. You should be ok with what you have. If you have problems with humidity, a small room size humidifier will get you up around 50 to 60 percent which is plenty for most orchids.

YAY! So the babies will come with me!!! I worry that their spikes won't be as magnificent, I have 4 phals in spike that I bought discounted because they weren't in bloom, I'll have at least a 3 foot spike before she's finished.

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by georgiabelle

YAY! So the babies will come with me!!! I worry that their spikes won't be as magnificent, I have 4 phals in spike that I bought discounted because they weren't in bloom, I'll have at least a 3 foot spike before she's finished.

I would love to see a picture of your Phals

[georgiabelle]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

I would love to see a picture of your Phals

I'll take some photos tomorrow! I have some in bloom right now, and I'll take a picture of the spikes as well! I'm extremely excited for when they decide to bloom :-)

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by georgiabelle

YAY! So the babies will come with me!!! I worry that their spikes won't be as magnificent, I have 4 phals in spike that I bought discounted because they weren't in bloom, I'll have at least a 3 foot spike before she's finished.

I wouldn't worry about that. I live even further north than NY (Netherlands) and the winters are even more dreary, but my orchids (mostly Phals and Oncs) all spike beautifully, with high bloom counts. I don't have artificial lighting, but my plants soak up the sun in the spring-summer, and it seems to give them all the energy they need to bloom in the winter.
Maybe you'll have a few less blooms, but regular feeding/watering and good light will make up for leaving that perfect FL climate.