High temperature and watering

[Paul Mc]

We are currently over 100F with heat index at 115F. Should this change my watering schedule? I'm specifically concerned about my mounted orchids and tolumnias, but would appreciate some general information or thoughts as well.

[pedidiva]

Yes, I have to water waaay more frequently with hot weather. I water my Tolumnias daily.

[fishmommy]

I water daily (my temps are always above 75)
mounts especially!

[WhiteRabbit]

definitely need more water - not sure what your humidity is, but especially in low humidity need to water more when it's hot.
During very hot weather here - upper 90s to over 100 (which is usually accompanied by very low humidity here - in the teens) - I water mounted plants twice a day.
I'd suggest a skewer in tolu pots (if they ARE potted with media) to be sure.

Water as early in the day as you can, and if plants require extra water later in the day, make sure they aren't sitting in the hot sun with water on the foliage (can cause burn). If plants are outside, you can also increase the humidity around them, for a little while at least, by wetting the ground around them.
Also - afternoon sun in the heat can burn plants, even if they are in the same spot as usual. (this happens to me every year *sigh*)

gl

[Paul Mc]

They are all under a huge pin oak tree (about 70 years old) so they get a lot good shade during the midday.

Our excessive heat index is due to extremely high humidity so humidity in the air is not currently an issue.

My tolumnia's are in small clay pots with a bit of charcoal (not much though).

We have never experienced this kind of heat and heat index for such an extended period of time before. I was just concerned about the heat in relation to my babies outside and if I should up the number of times I am watering to help compensate for the heat.

I've been watering my mounted orchids twice daily since the heat struck (except for the tolumnia). But I'm wondering if I should start watering more than that (especially with the Tolumnia).

[Ray]

If your water supply is cold, letting it come in contact with hot leaves can lead to mesophyll collapse, so I suggest watering heavily early in the morning, and only misting heavily later in the day.

The mist droplets, having a very high surface-to-volume ratio, will warm rapidly on their way to the plant, while the stream from a hose - even with a water breaker - won't.

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