Average temps/growing conditions

[shakkai]

Tin, in answer to your questions

Looking at the Met Office data for the weather station closest to me, the average high temp for January and February (our coldest months) is 7.9C/46F.

Here is the data, if you want to see other months:
Met Office: averages 1971-2000


When I first started growing orchids, I chose Masdies as they seemed very well suited to windowsill culture here in my house.

As you know, I have expanded what I grow - mostly through the help of OB!! and of course the OB Projects. But I tend to stick to cool/ cold growers as I have a better chance at making them happy.

Interestingly, I seem to have better luck with mottled leaved Paphs than I do with the green strap leaf types. (which seems a bit backwards to me, but I'm not complaining! I love the mottle leaves!)

If you go by USDA Zone equivalent (which has limited use, as it only goes by minimum temp) I would be equivalent to USDA Zone 9 approximately. But that gives no indication of the differences in summer temperatures.

At this moment the ambient conditions are 16C and 97% relative humidity.

[Tindomul]

It seems your average for the coldest month is above freezing. I don't really know how equitable your climate is, it seems to be a bit more equitable than here in NY where the range of temps are much wider. I would assume that it is easier for you to grow Masdies. How many do you have? Have you had many bloomers? How long have you been growing them?
Thanks.

[shakkai]

While searching, I also found this link which showed some interesting information:

Datasets/UK Climate/Central England Temperature

[shakkai]

Tin, The climate here is much, much more temperate. Not so warm in summer, and not so cold in winter as the US (barring, possibly, the Pacific NW). I grew Masdies before we went to India, but all of those plants had to go when we went to live there for 2 years. I got Masdies again when we returned in 2006. I've had quite a few species and some hybrids over the years. Just got rid of some at a society sale recently to make space for the Neofinetia.

I've currently got 14 Masdie plants (a combination of species and hybrids, in about equal numbers). I've also still got a few other Pleuros like Restrepia, Lepanthopsis, and Pleurothallis too.

They all grow quite well on the windowsill. You can see photos of some of them in bloom in my gallery here, and also on Flickr in my orchids set:
orchids - a set on Flickr

[Tindomul]

I just saw your pictures, wow! Just took a quick glance, will look more as soon as they load.

[shakkai]

Not all of the orchids in that set are mine... some photos were taken at shows. But the photo should say where they are from (i.e. what show) if they are not mine.

[DelawareJim]

Originally Posted by shakkai

If you go by USDA Zone equivalent (which has limited use, as it only goes by minimum temp) I would be equivalent to USDA Zone 9 approximately. But that gives no indication of the differences in summer temperatures.

At this moment the ambient conditions are 16C and 97% relative humidity.

Shakkai;

The American Horticultural Society has a little known Heat Zone Map which tracks average summer heat ranges much as the USDA zone map tracks minimum temps.

Publications - American Horticultural Society - Heat Zone Map

From the link you can get an explaination of heat zones, factors affecting heat zones, heat zone by postal code, download a map, etc.

Cheers.
Jim

[shakkai]

Thanks, Jim! I didn't know about that at all. According to that, I'm in Zone 1 (probably Zone 0 if they had such a thing) as its a news-worthy sensation here if we reach 30C!