Re-potting medium

[louez]

I have two indoor phals that I am repotting (moss on top is looking scraggy, one had a leaf problem that it is over) and the challenge is the AC is particularly effective at removing humidity from everything. We also have ceiling fans which adds to the dryness. I have water in dishes under. But I can see the medium and moss drying pretty quickly. Should this be a consideration in the repotting medium? Or should I stick with the pinebark topped by moss?
Many, many thanks from me and the orchids that tolerate my attention.
Lou

[BikerDoc5968]

Lou, my dad tried his hand at orchid growing. He lived in the Sturart, FL, area and was attempting to grow on his lanai without much success. He moved them outside and hung them from trees so the sun wouldn't burn them up and within short time they began to flower profusely. They were in bark and clay orchid pots. Unless there is some reason not to hang them outside, like enjoying them up close and personal, repot in bark and let them enjoy nature and once in spike bring them in to show off. You can get the hangers at HomeDepot...lucky you, 'cause the stores up here don't sell them! This would be the best of both worlds....just my

[louez]

Many thanks. The indoor phals are going to move outdoors soon. I keep turning up the AC to reacclimate them to heat. They are up to 82 in day and 75 at night. We just had a blazing weekend. I have moved the porch table to accommodate them. They will vacation outside in the fall.

[BikerDoc5968]

Where in FL are you located?

[louez]

By Gainesville.

[addictedcountryman]

I can't resize the pics (the program was removed from my computer ) But basically I took a glass vase and poured water until it was about 75% full. Then I put my pot inside. It sits in the mouth of the vase. I also put my paph pot in a deli container with water, but the pot doesn't touch the water. I'm not sure how hot it gets where you live, but I can't put my orchids outside because it is too hot. Can you post pics of your phal when you repot? Moss can be tricky. My phals dry out on top, but the bottom of the pot is still moist. In this case, I mist the top (not the leaves of course). I honestly wouldn't top off with moss. I would chop it up and mix it in with the bark. Is the water touching the pot?

[missann]

I love you guys in FL. You guys have perfect orchid weather, but you never want to grow your plants outside. There was someone from FL looking for a way to cool their greenhouse, or someone from there was looking for one...I think it just goes to show how much people like you love your orchids. It's wonderful but put them outside.

Anyway, I live in the desert, humidity is mabe 20 percent, and I have my orchids outside. Days are 95. I put my cymbidiums out where they get morning sun, and the others are inside a little greenhouse with a humidifier, fans, and homemade evap cooler-

Anyway, when I lived in HI, I just put my orchids out on the deck, with the higher light ones to the edge where they got more sun. I think a lot of us forget how hardy these things are. Oh, if it rains every day there, you should mount them sort of upside down like they grow in the wild, so they don't get crown rot. I hope that helps. Also, if you are worried about burning them, start them out in full shade or with just morning sun. I am pretty fast with moving mine outside-like-I do it in a day. Anyway, they get full sun filtered only through the plastic of my greenhouse until noon, and then the shade from my house starts to creep over the greenhouse. Also, for plants, I think the damage comes from how hot the leaves get, rather than actual damage from the light of the sun. At least that is what I read.

Happy growing!

[louez]

Thank you. They are outside with the vanda that was already there. The only one that isn't moving is the Onc that is in the bathroom. He says the humidity from hubby's long steamy showers suits him just fine.He's got a frosted east window. He's sprouting all over. I think he's the indoor. But I am close enough to the northern part of Fla. that I do have frost and occasional freeze. The outdoor ones will come in after Christmas for a winter vacation.