C. gaskelliana "Mosca" x self

[ToddsterVonCattMan]

Originally Posted by jcaesar

Hi Toddster,

I have a shadehouse in the backyard. During the winter I tack up plastic around the sides to cut down on the wind. Along the coast it doesn't really get that cold...rarely in the 40's, but back up to the 80's by the afternoon. We did have a freeze 30 years ago. If that happens again, I'm in trouble! Too many plants to bring indoors! Orchids love rain water! When the last big hurricane blew off my shadehouse roof and mangled the water system, I pretty much threw in the towel trying to grow them the "traditional" way. Let nature water them and I supplement w/garden hose during the dryer months. The plants do so much better and "toughen" up. I've had less problems with bugs and rot this way.

I'm almost in the same boat, growing under 50% shade cloth... Rarely have seen it below about 48F here in recent years, but that rare freeze is bound to happen sooner or later... I've tried to focus on keeping as many temp tolerant Catts and Paphs around here that I can...

Hurricanes aren't so much of a problem here in L.A., Haha...!