Shade cloth

[boxerfan]

Hi Rane, glad you are here. I noticed in the beginning that you stated you wanted to beautify the outdoors with orchids. An admirable idea, but if you use too much covering to block heat/light, you won't be beautifying anything except the underside of your cloth. I haven't been growing long (4 mos.), but what works for me is to research plants, match them with the closest natural environment that I have and then tweak the environment as best I can for optimum growth of my plants. It is a challenging balancing act. Read up on which plants like light, heat and will tolerate lower humidity; I know Vandas like lots of light. Once you have this information, learn how to make your environment more accomodating for the flowers you pick (Phals. are good starter plants, but don't put them in direct sun). Given Texas extremes, you may find inside is the best basic environment. Don't get frustrated; there is quite a learning curve when raising orchids,. It requires research, dedication, patience and desire. Good luck, Lisa

[Ray]

Rane,

Your idea of investigating something that hasn't been tried is no issue, it's the ones that have been tried and failed that you have to watch out for!

While the idea of beautifying the yard with orchids is admirable, I don't think the climate is such that you can easily do so year round. There just aren't enough showy orchids that live in those conditions naturally.

You'd probably be best naturalizing with native plants - Texas has some beauts - and stick to orchid growing in an enclosed, controlled environment.

[Charles]

And burning any lamps outside would defeat the purpose of being outside.
I live in Fl. Hot here. It does get more humidity lately, but you will be dealing with similar heat. That will be your first concern. Then plan on the cold. Humidity can be made and kept artificially. Sunlight can be shaded more. But hot and cold need to be adressed first.