Rainy dreary weather causing culture problems - Orchid Board

Eyebabe · #1 05-26-2010, 07:11 PM

Due to the lousy weather this past two months in the North East, I have had multiple issues with my catts and few phals plus others I am currently "forced" to window grow (greenhouse will not be ready for 10-12 weeks). After the spring blooms, I expected the usual growth but instead have had many obstacles.

Problem #1: Tree in the backyard that makes the light "indirect" the whole hot summer has gotten very big now and filtering too much of the light. Rain, Rain and more rain with no sunshine has dramatically decreased my light source. The weather has also required NO air condition and NO heat…so my normally active vents by the window for circulation have not “needed” to run.
Problem #2: Fungus gnats showed up.
Problem #3: One (and one only) catt got black rot
Problem #4: also had a bit of mold show up.
Problem #5: Too many plants, approximately 77 to be exact. Crowding causing ventilation issues and my media is not drying out fast enough.

Problem #5 was actually recognized by me LAST not first. Somehow my self-conscious knew that if I recognized this issue, I would have to admit my sickness for orchids to be out of control.

So I bought more light, and mosquito bits, and Subdue Maxx (which is a small fortune but you get almost a lifetime supply as dilution is 4 DROPS per gallon), and some additional plant stands. My normal routine is watering 2xperweek but I dropped it to once every 5 days. My humidifiers were not necessary since the rain, rain, rain kept things about 50% but I still did my weekly Neem Oil misting. And I used some isopropyl alcohol for the mold!
Bug treatments successful but roots still look like crap and I am exhausted

I have never in 5 years had so much difficulty with my babes!

....finally....I bought a fan

The lights from heaven shown down and within (I am not kidding) TWO days, I have so much root growth on my plants I am feeling giddy.

I will try to post sample of the roots and window pics

I put an album up in my gallery to view.
You will see how “green” my catts are due to lack of light. But notice my fan in the corner which is a tower hitting all the levels of plants and it also rotates to sweep the area <3

Just wanted to share in case someone might find what I have gone through familiar and maybe can buy the fan FIRST

Connie Star · #2 05-26-2010, 10:22 PM

Sounds like you've had the same crazy weather we've had in New England. Now we are having a heat wave and my poor plants have not had time to adjust.

Eyebabe · #3 05-26-2010, 10:31 PM

Yes, the weather was 88 degrees and humid today...very frustrating.
Here are the pics: gonna try it for the first time
The first two are less than 48 hours of root growth and the last is the "right side" of my window.

Any other tips appreciated

camille1585 · #4 05-27-2010, 02:38 PM

We haven't gotten much rain in upstate NY. It was pretty cold until the heat wave hit us last weekend. It's been in the mid 90s the last few days....

Glad you bought the fan, i'm surprised you went that long without one! I learned a while ago not to depend on mother nature to take care of my plants (so now have lights and fans) and learned the hard way that overcrowding orchids in humid conditions is not a good idea!

Will you be putting the plants outside until the greenhouse is ready?

isurus79 · #5 05-27-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Will you be putting the plants outside until the greenhouse is ready?

That was my first thought. Your plants could really be outside enjoying the 'crappy' weather. All your problems would be solved!

fotofashion · #6 05-27-2010, 08:43 PM

A large box fan is a necessity here 24/7/365 1/4. Even during the last very cold winter, good circulation was a must. DH has installed shutters and another fan controlled thermostatically in the GH and the plants that remain inside are benefitting from the good circulation. All my orchids, except those in bloom, are outside now and my only concern is making sure they don't get sunburned. This requires my placing them according to how much sun they will take. I have gotten a few burn spots but, for the most part, everything is OK.
BTW, we could use a few days of your rainy weather. It hasn't rained here in two weeks and the temps are in the 90s. I would be glad to send you some of our dry weather in return.

Beverly A.

Eyebabe · #7 05-28-2010, 12:40 PM

I am terrified to put my plants outside

I live in the Susquahanna Valley and one day we are having breezy dreary weather and then the wind picks up and we have rain and the porch furniture is blown over. My herbs outside are not doing great and my roses have the powedery mildew and copper spot...alas another ongoing battle I have (although they are blooming nicely!

)
Yesterday we had sun, 88 degrees, humid and NO AIR whatsoever...'twas brutal.
Last time I opened the window in the kitchen for the orchids I got aphids on my buds

I would be feeling truly cursed at this point were it not for my fan luck!

However, I am encouraged to try to put them outside.
/looks worriedly out the window at the cruel outdoors
....and I will report on how that goes.

isurus79 · #8 05-28-2010, 05:21 PM

Trust me, there will be some problems growing outside, but your orchids will most likely reward you with the best blooms you've ever seen! Maybe talk to some other local growers in your area for tips on dealing with pests and your local weather.