Tropical Climate Growth

[Destan77]

Hi,

I'm from sunny tropical Singapore here and the climate is warm (25-32 deg Celsius) and humid (60-80%) throughout the year.

Does anyone experience in growing orchids under these conditions?
- Do the orchids still require resting period?
- Will they flower under normal circumstances or do I have to provide fertilizers with higher P/K to facilitate flowering?
- Do we need to water more regularly (as compared to weekly?
- Any other tips and tricks?

If you could point me to any appropriate link would also be great.

[Destan77]

Seems like i'm the only person here who is from the tropics?

Anyone at all?

[Paul Mc]

Hello Destan,

I thought there was someone else who lived somewhere in your part of the world because I remember an in depth discussion about appropriate lighting and temperatures. I just wish I could remember who it was. Come to think of it, I haven't seen that person posting in a long time either.

Here's a thread bump for you in the hopes that someone can assist you.

[tucker85]

I live in South Florida which is semi-tropical. Some orchids, like cattleya and some dendrobium, require a rest period no matter where they grow. Less water and very little if any fertilizer should be given during the rest period (usually winter). Phals and Vandas grow all year long. Still they require less water and fertilizer during the shorter days in the winter. Watering can be tricky in the tropics because high humidity can cause fungus problems. During the summer I water vandas every day, cattleyas and most other orchids twice a week and phals whenever they start to get dry. I fertilize once a week with a low dose of a balanced fertilizer. I spray a fungicide once a month during the summer.

[cday2inflorida]

Hi Destan...
If an orchid requires a rest, it doesn't matter where you are, it requires a rest.
You are in the optimum location for growing a myriad of vandaceous species and hybrids that won't require a rest.
I think there might be a social group for growing in your geographical area.
Good Luck!!

[Paul Mc]

I was actually thinking about you last night and wanted to throw an idea out to you. Where you live actually does have several types of orchids that grow naturally. I don't know what they are called, but if you look for orchids that have a similar growing environment to that of your own then those might be a good place to start. I would suggest looking through the three published books from Margaret and Charles Baker called Orchid Species Culture to see if you can find some that might do well in your environment. They only have three books out, one on Oncidiums, another on Dendrobiums, and one that includes several orchids that start with the letter P. They have great information regarding natural habitat, including rainfall, night and daytime tempuratures, location the orchids are found, etc...

They also have a website, but you have to pay to see the specific orchid information you want so I would only recommend paying for the information after you have done some internet research to find one that you want or to get more information on one that you already have.

[Destan77]

Thanks....I'll see if I can find their books in a local bookshop, else i may try some online stores.

Any other tips would still be greatly appreciated.

[thepurpleorange]

Hi Destan, I live in the Caribbean and therefore have a similar climate (and problem regarding needing info on growing orchids in the tropics!) as you do! I try to read a lot on orchids but often find it hard to figure out how to translate all that I've read -- written from the perspective of a temperate climate grower -- into something that makes sense to me here in the tropics!

Since I'm a newbie, I can't offer much help (just here to express solidarity! lol). All I can say is that I've found the most success, in my 1-2 year experience, growing Vandas.

I know I've read a lot that says cattleyas and dendrobiums require a winter's rest but the 'winter' period is the rainy season here, then when they are growing profusely, it's our dry season. All my plants are tropical species (i think..!!) and so I wonder if I should listen to what I've read or just go along with the natural tendencies of my climate.

Well, hoping as much as you do that we get some good tips out of this thread!
thanks everyone!

[epiphyte78]

One book that I would highly recommend is Orchids of Malaya by Holttum.

When I first purchased the book I thought it would only cover orchids native to Malaysia...but it also covers many commonly cultivated foreign orchids as well. The author lived in a lowland area and for each species he indicated whether he or other local growers had any success growing/flowering the orchid.

For example...after a brief taxonomic description, he says this of Cattleya citrina (now known as Encyclia/Euchile citrina)..."This species is native in Mexico, and needs a cool climate; in Java it is only successful at above 5,000 feet."