Outdoor Grow Area In Austin, Texas

[isurus79]

[IMG]
Texas outdoor grow area for my orchids by Isurus79, on Flickr[/IMG]


Texas outdoor grow area for my orchids by Isurus79, on Flickr

I threw most of my orchids outside on March 12th here in Austin and so far, so good. Luckily, one of the people in my local society was kind enough to give me a giant piece of shade cloth to put over my Lowes greenhouse thingy. I call it the space ship!!

[abigaillevans]

That's a really good idea! I live in Florida and am gonna have to come up with something similar -- I've been thinking of trying to make a hutch-like thing with shade cloth doors and sides, but yours looks much easier!

Sweet

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by abigaillevans

That's a really good idea! I live in Florida and am gonna have to come up with something similar -- I've been thinking of trying to make a hutch-like thing with shade cloth doors and sides, but yours looks much easier!

Sweet

The setup I bought from Lowes was like $40. It comes with a clear plastic cover, which I will use in the winter when I bring the setup inside. You can probably find some shade cloth from a member of your local society for fairly cheap and then just tie it down enough to survive the storms that roll through area. I have a 4 bulb t5HO system that will be used for light during the winter.

[isurus79]

Well, we've had over 30 days of 100 degree temps and all of my orchids are growing and thriving. Anyone who says orchids cant handle these types of temps is just flat wrong!
FYI- Most of my plants are Catasetinae and Cattleyas. I do have two lowland Paph hybrids I'm trying and they are doing well, one is even throwing a spike.

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by abigaillevans

That's a really good idea! I live in Florida and am gonna have to come up with something similar -- I've been thinking of trying to make a hutch-like thing with shade cloth doors and sides, but yours looks much easier!

Sweet

Hey Abby,

Have you ever thought about joining our local Orchid Society, let me know if you want more info on it. We have our Annual Show coming up in Sept.

Glen

[glengary54]

Steve - Checked out your pics on Flickr, have a question for you. You say that you are growing your Catasetum tenebrosum indoors. How bright is it in your house that you were able to get female flowers? I grow mine outdoors in Central Florida and have to have them in just about full sun to get female flowers.

[WhiteRabbit]

very cool!

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by glengary54

Steve - Checked out your pics on Flickr, have a question for you. You say that you are growing your Catasetum tenebrosum indoors. How bright is it in your house that you were able to get female flowers? I grow mine outdoors in Central Florida and have to have them in just about full sun to get female flowers.

I was growing this one inside in full shade (ie. no direct sunlight or supplemental artificial light) and it threw female flowers (much to my dismay ). I have it outside now and the bulbs have plumped up quite a bit. The plant is fairly large and mature though, so having it throw female flowers is to be expected.

[isurus79]

Update:
I had to bring in my Dend Aussie Chip after 55 days of 100 plus temps because it was starting to get a bit rough looking.

On the plus side, I have spikes coming from a Paph hybrid, Catt. maxima, Catt. walkeriana (possible spike, too soon to tell if a spike or growth) and a Cycnoches species. Now let's see if the high heat has any effect on these flowers.

[isurus79]

Ugggg, the temp hit 112 today and was close to 110 yesterday. Supposedly the temps will "dip" back into the 90's by mid to late this week. We shall see. So far my orchids are ok, but they are definitely starting to look a bit ragged. Some cooler temps will definitely make me feel more at ease....