new member from South Africa

[JanSchurings]

Hello everyone,

I have been growing orchids for many years. First in The Netherlands where I lived from windowsill until a real heated greenhouse (which was rather complicated).
Now I live in South Africa in Phalaborwa only 5 minutes away from a gate of Kruger National Park. Phalaborwa is also called the city of 2 summers so I can grow my orchids outside in the garden of our guest house. Night temperature is never under 10 degrees and most of the time 20+. Daytime temperatures between 18 degrees on a real cold day (may be 5 each year) and 45 from December till February.
I am still discovering what does and does not work here and it is a great journey.

Jan

[rbarata]

Hello, Jan! Welcome!

Which orchids do you grow at this moment?

[JanSchurings]

Thank you for your kind words.

At the moment I try to grow Cattleya, Laelia, Schomburgkia, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Cybidium,Bulbophylum, Lepthotes and encyclia in full soil.

They all seem to do quite well. It is late summer now and is hot and humid. IN a couple of weeks the humidity is gone and we will have no rain for 6 to 7 months. With quite a few mounted orchids this will be a challenge.

[WaterWitchin]

Welcome Jan! Yes, mounted orchids with no rain, yikes! Get out the sprayer time.

[JanSchurings]

Thx ! My only real concern is when I am not around otherwise I spray 2 to 3 times a day. Till now that works pretty good with good root development throughout.

Luckily some species prefer a dry winter like some of the Dendrobiums so that should work. Will keep you guys posted

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

[Mountaineer370]

Welcome, Jan!

[OrchideeNormus]

Welcome! How awesome that must be to be able to grow your orchids outside. Unfortunately the desert gets too cold at night and the day would likely be too hot for most of my collection where I live. I am looking forward to some pictures of your garden!

[JanSchurings]

Thank you and will post some garden pictures later today.
I have to grow species that can cope with the heat in summer here. In mid day they are in the shade and I can easily spray them with a hose pipe while most are mounted.