Care in my generator fueled world right now

[cbuchman]

Need some advice. We're still running on generator during the day due to Sandy and official predictions are not power for another week (i.e. until next Friday Nov 9!). The temp in my GH is at about 60-65 degrees during the day and into the low 50s at night. RH is at about 70% but will drop some as soon as our world dries out. I've been withholding water to keep them dry and been putting some warm/hot water in the trays to try for some warmth.

Today is a sunny day, so I am wondering if I should water today.

Any advice?

[Paul Mc]

I would water at least a bit if its going to be sunny and warmer during the day. It can be tricky given the lows and I understand you not wanting to damage them due to the cold.

[cbuchman]

Thanks Paul. My instincts say to take advantage of the sunshine and relative worth today. The temps will be going down over the next few days.

No fert is my assumption too

[Paul Mc]

Not sure about the fertilizer part. It is the time to reduce the fertilizer for most orchids if you are entering Winter weather. If you do fertilize, I'd say just do it week. The cold may prohibit the orchids from processing it fully until warmth returns.

[ronaldhanko]

Wow! Don't know what to tell you about watering, but wish you the best in the aftermath of the storm.

[WhiteRabbit]

I wouldn't think that those temps would be too cool to water most orchids - but I have mostly intermediate growers. Can get into low 50s at night here even in summer. Hot growers might be an exception ...

I also fertilize my orchids year-round, with the exception of ones that specifically don't want fertilizer in winter. I have many outside taking much lower temps, and even inside is low 50s overnight.

[cbuchman]

I watered with plain tap water yesterday in the morning when the sun was warming the GH. Everybody was very thirsty. The good news is that our power came back on last night, about 100 hours after we lost it. So all is well in our GH now. Regular fertilizing will resume with the next watering


Unfortunately, a new storm is expected to hit on Tues/Wed and there are still many without heat/homes/power/clean water. Gas for cars and/or generators is hard to come be.....

[RosieC]

Glad you have power again and everything survived. Hope the later storm didn't hit you too bad

[cbuchman]

Thanks Rosie. Indeed, we were luckier than most. With 100 foot tress and a glass GH there is always the potential for disaster. Some who has regained electricity, lost it again in last week's storm which dumped several inches of snow in my area!

All the orchid came through cold just fine. I even had one bloom while we were without power. Just goes to show orchids are survivors!

[ronaldhanko]

You guys have been through it. Glad you and the orchids survived.