Outdoor-growing (California) orchid addict

[Roberta]

I am fortunate to live in an area with a temperate climate (coastal southern California) that is amenable to outdoor orchid growing. I have a small greenhouse for the few warm growers that I just HAD to have, but 90% of my orchids grow outside. I am getting more and more into species. A trip to Ecuador pushed me over the edge - Andean orchids that grow from about 1200 m to 3000 m do fine in my back yard. I have a website, orchidcentral.org (could not display it as a link so just copy and paste) , on which I show my orchids, with a table that indicates what grows outside and what needs the greenhouse.

[Leafmite]

Must be great to be able to grow so many orchids outside. I have seen what orchids do grow outside in Ohio (zone 5-6) and, somehow, I just cannot get excited about them. Welcome to the Orchid Board community--it is great to have you!

[epiphyte78]

Welcome to the forum Roberta! I'm really glad that you joined! I'm sure that this forum will really benefit from your considerable expertise and experience.

Not sure if you recognize my username... but a while back we put together a list of monopodial orchids for growing outdoors in Southern California. Several years ago I was fortunate enough to visit your really nice collection of orchids. I think the last time we talked it was about your trip to Madagascar. I was green with envy to say the least!

[Roberta]

Ah.. did miss on your username. Madegascar was interesting, to say the least. But I am envious of YOUR outdoor growing... even though you are more inland, you have had some outstanding successes!

---------- Post added at 01:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------

On the other hand, you should be able to grow some of the native orchids (such as Cypripediums) that I definitely can't. And during the summer, I suspect that lots of things would be quite happy outside with a bit of shade (that pesky humidity that humans hate can make some of those tropical orchids mighty happy)

[WhiteRabbit]

[wintergirl]

Welcome to OrchidBoard I'm like species myself, especially mini's.

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board great to have you with us

[Maryanne]

So nice to see you here, Roberta. I've gone to your website a few times, and it's very informative - thank you! If I find you growing it outside, it means I can probably grow it here in New England in my tiny greenhouse, which in the winter is more like a walk-in cooler. It's surprising to see what species can tolerate and still thrive in the cold.
I'm looking forward to seeing your growing advice!
Welcome
Maryanne in Massachusetts

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Maryanne

So nice to see you here, Roberta. I've gone to your website a few times, and it's very informative - thank you! If I find you growing it outside, it means I can probably grow it here in New England in my tiny greenhouse, which in the winter is more like a walk-in cooler. It's surprising to see what species can tolerate and still thrive in the cold.
I'm looking forward to seeing your growing advice!
Welcome
Maryanne in Massachusetts

Thanks! I am glad that you enjoyed my website. It is amazing how cool many orchids can manage - I visited Ecuador, and noted that evenings can get very cool at 8000 ft, (3000 m) right on the equator - I have found that orchids that can grow at that elevation (or a bit lower) can do fine. Actually, summer heat is more of a problem for those.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Welcome Roberta, sounds like we have another person that can help some of use that aren't so good at this, like ME!