Question on Den. Loddigesii

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by hevnbown

I'm curious...does your plant get any direct sunlight or just reflected?

My guys are in a screened in patio but they get the sun all day. The growing area faces south. BTY when you get kiekis on yours just move them around still attached to mama and put a wire clip where you have empty spaces. back, front, sides...it looks really cool when its hanging.

[hevnbown]

Being it's still cold for the most part here in the mountains, I have most of mine near a southwest-facing window. I built a small greenhouse & my neighbor several years back gave me a cover for it but it's not strong enough. I ended up taking a white kitchen garbage bag and cutting it in half & stapling it across a board so that the orchids didn't get burnt. When it warms up enough to put them outside, I'll hang the Dens in there...but I need to find a different cover for the GH. I see you live in SE FL. Good place to grow orchids. I lived in Duvaul County for 17 yrs. Unfortunately, The only orchid I bought died quickly so I didn't mess with it any more. It's a challenge growing them here because of the winter which makes me bring them into the house. The air gets very dry so I have had to put pebbles in small bowls and add water & put the orchids on top of them. Getting them through winter is a job! anyhow, thanks for your input. Because of it, I now have 2 big brown things hanging in the air with some poor-lookin orchids Who knows, maybe they will bloom!

[Lorraine]

I know what you mean bringing plants in for the winter. I lived in Pennsylvania and Illinois & Missouri for 34 years. I didn't have orchids but did keep my tropicals wintered in the house. Most lived in the bathroom since we had a skylight. Had a humidifer going at one house. Another house I bought a used Bakers Rack and old used bakers sheet cake trays, filled the trays with pebbles and kept water in them. I still have the rack but use it for my supplies now. That was worth the purchase (1978). But I also had flowers all year when it was cold and out when warm I looked forward to May 15th every year and dreaded mid Oct. but had to keep my own little piece of Paradise going. I almost built a greenhouse before we moved to Florida. I would have been in the same boat as you now probably. Good luck with your den. Let me know if you need any ideas. Post pictures esp when you get your first flowers. They are really pretty.

[hevnbown]

...will do (the pics)...thanks for your help. Headed to the Asheville Orchid Show this Monday...more orchids!