Pergola building advice for Vandas
 

Hi! I’m new to the board. I live in a South Florida in zone 10b. I grow Vandas mostly (35+) because that’s the environment I have.

For many years I have grown them in or under trees with sprinklers, but because those spots are no longer available, a new home is urgently needed. So, my plan is build a stand alone structure with a polycarbonate roof, a sprinkler system, a fertilizer portioner and a cold protection method. Really tired of bringing them into the garage when we have our infrequent cold snaps.

I need advice. My current thought is to buy a aluminum pergola kit as a basis, 10’x14’. Other options like wood or cellular PVC are too expensive. The material must stand up to our subtropical weather. The option for matching the color of my pool screen with aluminum is appealing.

Anyone had any experience with aluminum pergola kits or any other kits? Vinyl? Any advice would be appreciated.

I had to look them up. I don't see how they are more expensive than wood, and it looks like they would need a foundation (with bolts embedded in the cement, or at least piers with bolts.) By tropical weather I guess you mean storms of the kind that might lift a structure like this? I figure that the wind would carry a lightweight structure with a tin(?) or fiberglass roof fairly easily. If the wind can hike up a semi tractor-trailer and throw it 200 meters, then it can pick up a pergola. A solid top would become a sail. However, if the top was a lattice or something with holes, the prospect of losing it to a hurricane would be less. My ideal has always been something with vines like grape vines over the top creating shade. You could still put orchids under it. I don't know how that would work in Florida. There are many kinds of vining plants. We had a chain link fence in New Mexico that had Virginia creeper on it, and you could not tell it was a chain-link fence. Vines instead of a polycarbonate roof would also mean that they would get natural rain when it rains, and orchids love real rain. It would also be a picturesque natural environment to put a hammock or some other fun natural swing for meditating and resting. In my imagination, I could also see a little "fake" waterfall in the corner.

I am over in Cape Coral, 10a. I just purchased my home, and will be looking at creating an orchid area outside of my screened lanai. Currently, I have my vandas hanging on the east side, getting great morning sun through the screen. They are really starting to respond after a year in a less than desirable location.

I plan on building a pergola as well. My plan is to lay all my beds, and incorporate the pergola, then come around and install the irrigation the way I need it to be, with a manual control for the orchids as well. Def keep us posted on what your results are.

Talk to Vanda growers in the Homestead area of south Florida: RF Orchids and Motes Orchids.

Falling back to inside pool screen
 

Thanks for the replies. After reviewing a great many options, I have decided to make a home for the orchids inside my pool screen cage. I want to put in irrigation too. Anyone have a setup like that? Maybe I’ll start a new thread.

Right now, my small collection is in my lanai. On the east side. Full sun hits the screen until about 11am. With the angle of the sun changing, I had to move a few of my girls around. All seem happy still.

The screens will knock out about 20% of the sun. Maybe you can get some extra screening to cover the area a bit.

I am DEFINITELY building an orchid house/pergola in my yard. The top will be covered in the landscape shade fabric we can get at Lowes or HD. I'll use white because it is brighter. I CAN'T WAIT!

The last reply to this thread is August of 2018.

I suggest you start a new thread if you wish to discuss this with currently active members