So who's put their plants out already?

[Raqsharqi]

I don't have a lot of mine out because there isn't room in the shade. We are in full monsoon madness now. It poured buckets yesterday (enough to fill the washes), the high temperature is about 100, with 70 degree nights. It's raining again, so the orchids won't have a chance to dry out. Let's see what happens!

[estación seca]

I went to Organ Pipe National Monument yesterday and stayed overnight in Tucson. The desert is amazingly green. I put my orchids outside whenever it is going to monsoon rain here in Phoenix. They really perk up. I was out of town on this trip for our rain, but while gone collected 30 gallons of rain water for my orchids and aquaria.

[lotis146]

Thought I'd give a little update here. I haven't been as active on the board this summer & admittedly with my orchids but much as happened.

For starters my collection has experienced a significant amount of rot on various plants, I do believe this is weather related. Sadly much of this has occurred in spikes. First my Zygolum Rhein 'Moonlight' grew three spikes, the first two I could see would have 4 buds each - all of this is an improvement over this spring & last year's spikes. Then we had some cold then rather warm temps & have had quite a bit of rain throughout. Next thing I know I go check on all the plants & the buds are yellowing, first the oldest two spikes then the third decides it's gonna go too. I also had my Ianclarkara Cheyenne Marie 'Midori' in bud with three buds & then they blasted. Next was a Lc. Mini Purple x L. Dayana, started a bud, went to reunion, came back, rotten.

Oh, prior to all this fun stuff I somehow managed to kill my Tolumnia Buck Hollow . Not entirely sure how i did that but I think it's because it was an early victim of similar rot & then I messed with it and it got really mad/depressed & died.

I will add that having as much rain as we have had has meant that I've not been super on top of fertilizing...

Anywho there's also been positive developments: one NoID crown rotted Phal still with a green spike decided it wanted to bloom (will post available pics soon); another of the same is growing a basal keiki; four other NoID Phals, crown intact, are in spike; Zygonisia Cynosure 'alba' has bloomed for me, two blooms (3rd bud blasted), first bloom for me; Miltassia Shelob is in bloom with 4 (extremely reliable bloomer I'd say), Dtps. Yupin Fairlady still with green spike grew a new branch & is slowly opening 4 buds; Paph. Lueddemannii in bloom again with four; Miltonia spectabilis 'Royalea' x seminole sand in bloom (second spike almost; can't take credit for this one); Lc. Mini Symphony 'Elfin Blue' in bud; V. Wirat x Kultana Blue is in spike (my first Vanda, got in bloom in spring now blooming again); Liparis grossa seems to have a spike coming up...

Again, I'll come back with pics I just wanted to post some of the good the bad and the ugly that I have experienced this year with all my plants outside most of the time, although I bring the blooming ones in when their open or mostly so.

[Subrosa]

Isn't it about time to create a "Have You Brought Your Plants In Yet?" thread?

[estación seca]

I've been reading about commercial orchid growing. A lot of information is available from Florida university and agricultural Web sites. A lot of companies spray regularly with fungicides to prevent attacks, even when no fungus are noted. Fortunately I haven't had to worry about that yet in my low humidity.

[Tschimm]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Isn't it about time to create a "Have You Brought Your Plants In Yet?" thread?

Definitely

[dbarron]

I won't be bringing in till temps start hitting the 40s consistently at night. I don't believe any of mine will mind as long as we don't get a surprise frost.
However, it's turned quite dry..and I now have to water (sigh)...vs early in year when I worried about rot.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by dbarron

I won't be bringing in till temps start hitting the 40s consistently at night. I don't believe any of mine will mind as long as we don't get a surprise frost.
However, it's turned quite dry..and I now have to water (sigh)...vs early in year when I worried about rot.

It depends on what you're growing because many orchids don't appreciate temps much below 60. You might want to double check the temp ranges for your group because too many nights into the 40's for some could spell disaster.

[Leafmite]

I am so sorry, Lotis146 to hear of your losses.

Most tropical plants can take occasional night temperatures in the upper forties ('F) as long as it gets into the seventies during the day. The lower forties ('F), with a breeze, and daytime temperatures that remain in the sixties can quickly destroy a warmer growing orchid. If you have anything that is warm to hot growing, it is rather cruel to subject it to constant night temperatures in the forties. My hot growing tropical non-orchids will immediately show effects but orchids often take a while before the infections from bacteria and fungus show themselves. It can also stunt their growth.

[hanzy08]

I have moved mines in two weeks ago cause the weather is starting to change and a lot of then spiked. I don't want to risk blasting the spikes due to a sudden change so i moved them in when the temps are still pretty stable. Ladt year i moved them later on and the spikes blasted but this year, they kept on going.