Orchids outdoors in summer - what do you do about rain?

[Laelia purpurata]

I have my orchids outside for the summer with the shade lovers on my porch, which has a roof, so they get good air circulation, etc. My Catt's are out from under the porch so that they can get some direct sun and I was wondering how you deal with rain. Sometimes it rains every other day here in the summer and I should think that that would be too much watering for a Catt. Do I need to bring them onto the porch every time it rains or is it alright to leave them out?
Thanks everyone!

[Ray]

Frequent watering is not an issue, as long as your potting medium is right for it, i.e., coarse, fresh bark, or something inorganic that won't densify or decompose.

[Donald]

Here in Massachusetts I leave all mine out and let nature take it's course. Never a problem. As Ray has stated if your medium is airy and your pots have good drainage they should be OK.

[UKCat]

In wet and windy UK My Cyms are out all summer with no problems in fact I normally have to give them extra.
They only have the shelter of a couple of Hornbeam trees and as long as it isn't cold I don't worry.

[WhiteRabbit]

I guess it depends how much it is raining ? I know many people grow outdoors in Florida, and other places that get frequent rain, so I definitely would defer to their opinions. I have rotted Catt types by over-watering, so I know they can definitely be over-watered ...

In my experience, Cyms are harder to over-water than most Catt alliance, so I wouldn't gauge by that.

Gl

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Ray

Frequent watering is not an issue, as long as your potting medium is right for it, i.e., coarse, fresh bark, or something inorganic that won't densify or decompose.

Spot-on.
Depends on how hot and dry it is, which will also affect how fast the plant dries out.


Just "listen" to your plants, and keep an eye on their pseudobulbs and roots. They will tell you if they're happy or pissy, at which point you can consider how to change the situation.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Izzie

Spot-on.
Depends on how hot and dry it is, which will also affect how fast the plant dries out.


Just "listen" to your plants, and keep an eye on their pseudobulbs and roots. They will tell you if they're happy or pissy, at which point you can consider how to change the situation.

very well put!

i agree with what everybody else has said, it all depends on the having the right potting medium.

[Junebug]

The potting medium is the trick. The majority of my plants are exposed to the elements but they used to be covered by a trussed porch. When I repotted this spring I was anticipating Florida's rainy season and added much more lava rock or SH pellets, sponge rock, and charcoal...and cut back on bark and CHC. Unfortunately there hasn't been much rain in my area this season, so I must water most plants on a daily basis. It doesn't harm them because their potting media drains freely. Another option is attaching plants to a mount. This works well too but one must take care to water them regularly. I prefer the responsibility of more frequent waterings in free draining media as opposed to rotten roots in the poor draining type. Your other option would be to shelter your plants by moving them during periods of prolonged rain. I used to do this, but it was a pain in the behind.

[tucker85]

If it's raining every day, put the catts in a place where they can dry out for a couple of days and then back outside. Rain water and good old sunshine is great for the cattleyas but I would let them dry at least once a month. An occasional dose of physan 20 wouldn't hurt either to keep fungus under control during wet weather.

[CTB]

Hydroton is great for our rainy seasons, it drains so well, No one has had any root rot when using it.