Is Lady Chatterley doomed in my house?
 

So...I accidentally picked up a Wils. Pacific Lust "Lady Chatterley" from the Death Rack at Lowe's, only to find that the net classes it as "intermediate", wanting high temperatures only in the low 80s. (In my defense, I did try to look it up in the store, but my phone's connection was slow and Lord Oscar was getting impatient. :-P )

Unfortunately, while my winter temperatures are in that range, summer temperatures are in the 90s. My living room has a lot of ventilation (windows on three sides and a ceiling fan), but I don't have any AC.

Is my poor plant doomed? I've put it on the kitchen passthrough for extra ventilation. I could try it outside, but I'm concerned that anyplace that is cooler (for example, under the house) is that way only because it's shaded. Normally, inside and outside temperatures are about the same for me, although outside probably has more ventilation (often in the form of "a howling gale that blows away heavy rubber doormats", though).

While I can't speak for that particular plant, I've seen orchids thrive in conditions where not all needs were well-met. Temperature extremes can be difficult to overcome but if you accommodate your orchid in others ways - perhaps a bit more shade, a bit more humidity, careful monitoring of watering - you may find that you become Lady Chatterly's Lover (someone has to go there).

Yes, John. You couldn't resist😉

I have a Wilsonara. It is a pretty accommodating plant. If you can give it some shade, air circulation and humidity, you will be fine. Mine is not in ideal conditions according to your description. I grow it with my Oncids and it is in bloom most of the year. Mine does like to summer outdoors. They are on a rack, close to the house to prevent blowing over.

Good luck, you won't be sorry.

Wilsonara was a combination of Cochlioda, Oncidium and Odontoglossum so for temperature preferences it can make a big difference which Oncidiums and how much. In this case a little more than half the ancestry comes from species that should adapt to the warm side of intermediate, meaning Pacific Lust should be fairly warmth tolerant. Night time temperature tends to be the more important factor for a plant like this. If you get most nights near 75F or cooler then daytime temps in the 90s F shouldn't be too much of a problem for this plant if given good care - ventilation, watering, shade as others have mentioned.

I think you cool down and get a gentle on-shore breeze at night, right? I think it will do fine for you.

Agree with the others here, you should do fine with the new addition...