Tropical Storm Emily - Orchid Board

mmursuli · #1 08-01-2011, 08:03 PM

So South Florida will probably be hit by TS Emily. Ugh, I grow 95% of my orchids outside.
The last TS was 5-6 years back (way before my orchid obsession) and from I remember it wasn't anything out of this world.
I'm definitely bringing in the phals. But should I bring in the others? And my two Vandas--they LOVE rain water?
I know it's silly, but I truly believe that my 'chids grow a little every time it rains. LOL
Thanks in advance!

fotofashion · #2 08-01-2011, 08:09 PM

Hey, if you don't want the rain, send it here, please

Seriously, when we have a hurricane on the way, I put all my plants on the ground around the trees. It is just too hot to keep the plants in the GH when the electricity may be off for a week or more. As soon as the bad part has passed by, I rehang or replace everything it its spot.
Take care
Beverly A.

Junebug · #3 08-01-2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmursuli

So South Florida will probably be hit by TS Emily. Ugh, I grow 95% of my orchids outside.
The last TS was 5-6 years back (way before my orchid obsession) and from I remember it wasn't anything out of this world.
I'm definitely bringing in the phals. But should I bring in the others? And my two Vandas--they LOVE rain water?
I know it's silly, but I truly believe that my 'chids grow a little every time it rains. LOL
Thanks in advance!

Rain does have a magical effect on plants, but too much moisture can be a problem. You should protect your phals and any other chids that are prone to rot, but if your Vandas are bare root they might benefit from a good drenching. Gusty winds can topple and toss plants so make sure they're well secured if you risk leaving them outside. Tropical Storm Fay wasn't too windy but she deposited 3 days of constant rain at my house. There were catfish swimming in my yard...no lie, and my Corgis refused to relieve themselves in the yard because there was so much standing water. As Fay approached I moved my chids to ground level on my screened back porch. The porch has a roof that protected the chids from direct downpours and a 2' metal border around the base for wind protection at lower levels. The porch cushions were brought indoors so they wouldn't smash into the plants. I also lowered to the ground or brought indoors anything with potential to take flight during high winds. Everything faired well except for one Phal. which developed crown rot from moisture blown in through the screen. She rapidly lost all but one leaf and followed up with a basal keiki that survived.

vandagirl · #4 08-02-2011, 06:21 AM

When you have a tropical storm on the way you should better be carefull. I think it's best to get your chids in safety. Especially your Vanda with spike.
Better safe than sorry with them. The rain can cause them to rot, and the wind can harm them.
Hopefully it will not be to serious.

mmursuli · #5 08-02-2011, 08:34 AM

Thank guys! I really appreciate all the input. I'm going to wait it out and see how strong this puppy gets...then again this is mother nature we're talking about so it's best to err on the side of caution. The phals are definitely coming in--I'm crazy when it comes to water sitting on their leaves/crown. As for the others, I think I'm going to take Junebug's advice and bring them in just a tad into my back porch.
I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks again!

flhiker · #6 08-04-2011, 08:07 PM

I'm in the same boat. I will watch it and probably will put all the hanging pots on the ground or under my back porch. It's the wind I'm concerned with not so much the rain.

Kelo · #7 08-04-2011, 10:23 PM

Send anything tropical to me, please!

Jayfar · #8 08-04-2011, 11:50 PM

Looks like the storm wimped out anyway.

Remnants Of Emily : Public Advisory : Weather Underground

Quote:

Tropical Storm Public Advisory

Statement as of 5:00 PM EDT on August 04, 2011

...Emily degenerates into a trough of low pressure...heavy rains
continue over Hispaniola...

summary of 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...information
----------------------------------------------
location...19.0n 75.0w
about 100 mi...160 km SSW of the eastern tip of Cuba
maximum sustained winds...35 mph...55 km/h
present movement...NW or 315 degrees at 16 mph...26 km/h
minimum central pressure...1009 mb...29.80 inches

watches and warnings
--------------------
changes with this advisory...

the governments of the Dominican Republic...Cuba and the Bahamas
have discontinued all tropical storm watches and warnings.

Summary of watches and warnings in effect...

there are no coastal watches and warnings in effect.

For storm information specific to your area...please monitor
products issued by your National meteorological service.

Discussion and 48-hour outlook
------------------------------
At 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...the remnants of Emily were
centered near latitude 19.0 north...longitude 75.0 west.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph...55 km/h...with higher
gusts in squalls.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 mb...29.80 inches.

Hazards affecting land
----------------------
rainfall...although Emily has weakened it is capable to produce
total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches with isolated
amounts of 20 inches possible over the Dominican Republic and
Haiti. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and
mud slides. Total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected
across eastern Cuba...the Bahamas...and the Turks and Caicos
Islands.

Wind...tropical storm force winds is gusts could still affect
portions of Haiti during the next few hours.

Next advisory
-------------
this is the last public advisory issued by the National Hurricane
Center on this system unless regeneration occurs.

$$
Forecaster Avila

flhiker · #9 08-05-2011, 01:07 AM

WOO HOO!

mmursuli · #10 08-05-2011, 09:11 AM

YAY!!! I wasn't looking forward to moving my plants. Although, they would have loved the rain.