As the Summer progresses..

[charlesf6]

I'm losing small plants...the leaves are fading color and dropping and I'm left only with a root base?
2 Masdies & now this am my Restrepia guttulata.

[rbarata]

Too low HR, maybe?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

I'm losing small plants...the leaves are fading color and dropping and I'm left only with a root base?
2 Masdies & now this am my Restrepia guttulata.

These little Pleurothallids do suffer in hot weather. High humidity and lots of shade may help. They will appreciate anything that can help cool them down.

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

I'm losing small plants...the leaves are fading color and dropping and I'm left only with a root base?
2 Masdies & now this am my Restrepia guttulata.

Yes,it's tough going. They dislike high temps as much as I do. Are yours in clay pots and sphag.? That plus constant air movement and placement over humidity trays is all I can offer as I try not to crank up the a/c too often.

[Roberta]

I have had some success with double clay pots (and sphag) - the small air space between the two clay pots, plus their ability to stay wet and provide evaporative cooling in the root zone, is what they contribute.

[Pattywack]

I have used the double pot method with good luck, small net pot, sphag and put them inside a square plastic outer pot or a clay outer pot.

We do run air conditioning so humidity can be an issue though this spring, due to a July 10 day trip, I purchased a grow shelf/greenhouse. I've debated doing this for some time and it has been amazing for me. I would recommend these for anyone considering them. The humidity is always at least 80%, the temperature runs from low 70's overnight to mid 80's during the day. If it seems too warm, I turn the lights off for the afternoon hours or unzip one side of the little door.

I have T5 strip lights and run a fan for good circulation. I just knew our vacation would be the death of many miniature orchids, I had a friend water for me so that helped immensely. This grow shelf sits at a north facing window, not the best light but I didn't have one plant suffer while we were away.

I have been so pleased with this setup I may buy another. I do not have my Neofinetia collection in this setup, they maybe next.

[Dollythehun]

Picture please, Pattywack.

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by Pattywack

I have used the double pot method with good luck, small net pot, sphag and put them inside a square plastic outer pot or a clay outer pot.

We do run air conditioning so humidity can be an issue though this spring, due to a July 10 day trip, I purchased a grow shelf/greenhouse. I've debated doing this for some time and it has been amazing for me. I would recommend these for anyone considering them. The humidity is always at least 80%, the temperature runs from low 70's overnight to mid 80's during the day. If it seems too warm, I turn the lights off for the afternoon hours or unzip one side of the little door.

I have T5 strip lights and run a fan for good circulation. I just knew our vacation would be the death of many miniature orchids, I had a friend water for me so that helped immensely. This grow shelf sits at a north facing window, not the best light but I didn't have one plant suffer while we were away.

I have been so pleased with this setup I may buy another. I do not have my Neofinetia collection in this setup, they maybe next.

Sounds like a great set up. I had to set up two ten-gallon aquariums for my Bulbophyllum, Draculas and a few others that needed high humidity. I had very little success with Bulbos before the aquariums. Now, they love me!

[Pattywack]

Dolly, here are a couple pictures of the shelves. The first one is from day one, for size. There are 4 shelves and the bottom shelf has very little on it yet, mostly spray bottles and a tiny fern. Still room for other plants down there though there is no light fixture above that shelf. Yet.


I needed a way to hang the top light so I bought a oak dowel and fit it into the holes in the frame, it worked like a charm. Originally I had a clamp/shop light at the top but it was always shining in my eyes, no way to hang it properly.

The second picture is pretty recent. This unit is not huge, approximately 2' 3" wide, 1 1/2' deep and 5' tall which is perfect for me as I'm 5' tall. It fits well at the window.

[Pattywack]

This picture was just taken. Temp is 79, humidity is 90%. The AC is on and it's 70 degrees in my home.

This setup has reduced my watering frequency from every day to every 3 or 4 days, sometimes longer. The mounted orchids are sprayed every other day.

I've recently gotten interested in CPs so there are a few of those growing in here as well.