What can I grow? West-facing deck in Los Angeles

[BarleyTwist]

Hello all —

It’s been quite a while since I had any orchids, and I’ve never kept them outdoors before. But we are in a West Los Angeles house now with a west-facing deck, covered with sliding shade cloths on a 30’x10’ pergola frame. (Without the shade cloth the deck is unbearably hot and bright.) Seems like the few succulents, rhipsalis (epiphytic cactus), and sarcostemma I’ve installed are doing well there, and I’m thinking about orchids again. My question, though, is whether the light out there can be made to work for orchids — the shade cloth supposedly blocks 95% of UVs, making it lovely to sit there but maybe too dark for most orchids? There is some direct light as well, since there’s about 18”-24” between each separate length of shade cloth; direct sun in those spots but only during certain hours (mostly morning) as the sun travels overhead. I am very willing to provide proper water, fertilizer, etc out there, but which orchids should I try first (if any)?

Thank you!

[Roberta]

Because there are spaces where the shadecloth doesn't cover, it looks to me like orchids should do well out there... might not be enough light to bloom Cymbidiums (but give them a try), but lots of other things will do fine. I have 60% over most of my east-west-facing yard, and grow a huge variety of orchids outside. Coastal Orange County. Take a look at my website to see what is possible. A LOT!

[BarleyTwist]

Thank you Roberta — I’m happy for the encouraging words! I was thinking that I’d start with a few wood-basketed and/or mounted species positioned under the open spaces to see how they do, but worry a bit about sunburn. I can water/mist/fertilize with RO water so hoping that will help. As you know it gets pretty hot in summer — we’re just 5 miles from the beach but it sure feels hot in summer! I’ve already looked —and been inspired/jealous — at your plants and growing areas. Very very nice. I’ve been window shopping at Andy’s and I’m thinking of buying a Leptotes bicolor and a Laelia anceps from him — I think they come mounted. Do you think those would have a decent chance for happiness with what I can offer them?

Judy

[Louis_W]

I bet you that would qualify as high light. I would try cattleya or something similar if it was me, but you could also just egt a few of whatever is around and cheap and try that.

[BarleyTwist]

Thank you Louis_W -- you might well be right about Cattleyas. I'm picturing a few plants mounted on the wooden structural support beams; maybe I could mount Catts highest up, and then others below them.

The sun in the "in-between" spaces where the beams are do get direct light in some parts of the day, but only for a couple of hours at a time, because the sun is always moving and the shaded areas under the shade cloth move around too.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by BarleyTwist

I’ve been window shopping at Andy’s and I’m thinking of buying a Leptotes bicolor and a Laelia anceps from him — I think they come mounted. Do you think those would have a decent chance for happiness with what I can offer them?

Judy

Both of those would be excellent. I don't think that you can give L. anceps too much light... mine are up high above the Cyms in the brightest part of the yard, and I haven't toasted one yet. The Leptotes bicolor is also a high-light plant. The only consideration about mounted plants is that you'll want to water them every day in summer, maybe every other day now. I don't think you need RO for those... I grew most of my plants for years on city water. i added RO for some of the more sensitive things (like Pleurothallids) that are doing better, but my L. anceps still get city water, and Leptotes are fine either way.

Consider Sobralias, too... Sobralia macrantha, and its hybrids take lots of light - which keeps them a bit more compact. Cal Orchid has an excellent selection of those. Also pretty bullet-proof, and also attractive when not in bloom. Flowers are short-lived (like a couple of days) but keep popping out new ones, so the plants are in bloom for a couple of months (mostly in summer)

[BarleyTwist]

thank you again, Roberta! I feel encouraged! I love visiting my plants outside so frequent watering will not be a problem. I will just have to try keeping my initial purchases small in number -- way too easy to jump in head first with these plants, as I know too well from my last orchid-growing days (indoors only). I already have an RO system so that's not a problem (I use it for my aquarium.) Will definitely look at the Sobralias; I've never grown them, and plants that look decent when not in bloom are always welcome. Thank you for your help!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You can grow Dendrobium kingianum or Dendrobium speciosa, Laelia spp. (i.e.: anceps, autumnalis, purpurata, superbiens, tenebrosa), Sarcochilus spp. (cecilae, fitzgeraldi, hartmanii), Isochilus spp. (aurantius, linearis, major), Vanda (Neofinetia) falcata, or Sedirea japonica.

[BarleyTwist]

Thank you, King_of_Orchid_Growing! I’ll have a look at those. Appreciate your help.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You’re welcome.

I was thinking about your temperatures as well as your lighting availability. Depending on how far west you are in Los Angeles, you might have to consider temperature tolerant orchids due to the ocean breeze.

(I live in the east side of town.)