Non-Greenhouse Orchid Culture
CAVEAT: This is what works for ME. Proof of my methods can be found on my
PICS PAGE.
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I have been growing orchids for over 25 years, first on a windowsill, then in wardian cases I built, and now in growrooms in the inclement (well, technically 'cold'; almost all weather here in Ohio could be called 'inclement' :) ) weather and outdoors in the warmer months. The difference in theplants since I began putting them out for half the year has been remarkable; flowering is way up and plants are far more robust.
CAVEAT: This is what works for ME. Proof of my methods can be found on my
PICS PAGE.
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I grow all types of orchids from disas to catts to trichopilias and everything in between. I have learned that most growing information is geared to those growiing in 'subtropical' areas, such as Florida and California, tropical areas such as central america and Thailand, where the temps are always warm and humidity high, or those growing with greenhouses. Not all of us, in fact, most of us I think do not have these advantages. And while it is nice for folks in Florida to staple a vanda to a tree, forget about it and then enjoy the flowers whenever it decides to bloom, it can be an enormous challenge to grow, say, Vandas in Ohio, or disas in an area where summers are too hot for them and winters too cold. Those of us who face these challenges have come up with many novel approaches. I only know what works for me, but others may find some ideas worth trying which, with modifiactions, may help them in their own efforts. I know I have certainly profited from the shared experiences of others.
One thing I have discovered is that the temperature ranges given for certain types of orchids in books are not necessarily absolute. I believe that the 'outdoor experience' gradually hardens them off. Whereas a hothouse-grown phalaenopsis might suffer trauma if suddenly exposed to a 40degF night, mine take it in stride and do very well. My vandas similarly have an extended temperature range, and my disas handle the Ohio summers with nights supposedly too warm for them to survive.
I will add to this page as I have more time (LOL, that's a good one - 'more time'!! LOL!!!)
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GROWING ORCHIDS OUTSIDE FOR PART OF THE YEAR
GROWING VANDAS IN THE ICY WILDERNESS OF OHIO
STANHOPEA NOTES (AND MAKING YOUR OWN BASKETS)
DISAS: MY GREATEST (AND CONTINUING) CHALLENGE
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