Howdy from South Texas

[Catmont]

I'm new to this forum and looking forward to learning more about orchids from this diverse group . I've been growing them for about 12 years and learn something new almost weekly. The Cattleya as my avatar was my first, purchased in '97 from a nursery in Hawaii. I have had 12-15 plants for many years and have lost a few. The summers here are long, hot and humid. The hot part with the sun is the major problem so I'm looking for a better shaded enclosure outdoors, greenhouse or similar. Open shelving with shade cover is not working, too much wind and exposure. An 8x10 greenhouse is probably what I need.
Any recommendations from those of you in a hot climate?

Thanks, and Cheers.

[Royal]

Hey Catmont,

I'm not too far north of you, the heat is bad here too. Are you an HOS member? Good to have another Texan aboard.

[Catmont]

I'm not an HOS member as their meetings are a long way from me. Until recently I haven't had time to devote to the hobby except to keep my plants healthy and growing. I hope to be able to spend more time expanding the number of different species this year.
Thanks for the reply.

[fotofashion]

Hi: I live in SW Liberty county and belong to HOS. My orchids spend the winter in my GH along with the rhipsalis, ferns, epiphyllums, cactus, hoyas, etc. I have a large box fan running 24/7 plus the electric heater when necessary (and it has been very necessary this winter). I have around 100 orchid plants and all are surviving so far. It got down to 32 one night and 34 another when we had the temps in the lower 20's.
In the summer, everything but the desert cactus spend the time outdoors, some on lines run between trees, some on a 8x24 plant table, some hanging from trees. One thing I will need to do in the coming summer is rig up a shade house for some of the orchids. The tornado that accompanied Ike took out some trees and parts of others so that the area where the orchids pass the summer is too sunny now.
Have no fear, your collection will grow and you will probably need/want a greenhouse eventually. Make sure it is big enough to shelter your plants. I'm going to try to convince DH to remodel mine and also install some roof vents. It does get hot in there on days when the sun shines even when it is cool outside. My GH is strictly home made, nothing fancy. 2x4's with corrugated fiberglass and plastic. Our season here is so relatively short we really don't need anything special IMHO. Of course, that all depends on your pocketbook.
Beverly A.

[Catmont]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I could have used a GH this winter. Moving plants indoors...then out...then in is a pain.
I'm encouraged to hear you just " hang them out" in the shade and that's what I do, except that I like to keep them near the house, away from the wind. But, maintaining the sun shades over my shelving is also a pain. I'm interested in an enclosure that can be open and shaded in Summer and closed/heated in Winter.

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB
Joann

[Matilda]

Welcome!

[golforchid]

If you can acquire a copy of the December 2009 edition of ORCHIDS, there is a very interesting article entitled
"A Green Dream in Texas" about a gal by the name of Susan Dally who lives ~45 miles north of Houston and the greenhouse she integrated into her home. Her built-in greenhouse has no air conditioning nor any mechanical heating system. It is 100% cooled and heated by sustainable passive solar technology. She is a member of the Houston Orchid Society, so she might be a valuable resource.

[Royal]

That was a good article, and a killer greenhouse. Becoming a member of a society has dramatically improved my culture, and my collection. I grew for about 7 years and accumulated a couple hundred plants before joining AOS and I wish I joined had sooner. There was no local society so we formed one -- ETOS. Societies are a HUGE resource for info you couldn't possibly find anywhere else. I recommend trying to make the trip to HOS, or checking around for another nearby group (Galveston, Beaumont, Shreveport, Austin, San Antonio, etc.)

[Catmont]

Many thanks for the good info and well wishes.
I will definitely stay in touch.

Cheers,