my orchid growcamp

[tarev]

I used to grow all my orchids indoors, but come winter time, with other plants that need sheltered, the plants are occupying a lot of space indoors. I have long wanted to grow my 'chids outdoors, but I know I needed to shelter them from the extreme heat, strong winds and debris coming from the trees. And with other HOA restrictions, we have to find something that will not be too attention getting. Luckily we found this Growcamp late April 2012 and required only small space, fitted perfectly on top of existing platform we have . I only have a small collection, and they all fit well inside. This is my first year to grow them outdoors, so I am still learning and observing closely how the 'chids grow in there. So far now that summer is slowly coming in, I think we may need to find just a shade cloth to shelter the plants from the heat a bit. Otherwise, there is lots of air circulation, just realized how windy it is here..good for the 'chids! The best part I think, when we got this Growcamp it was a very good price about $86 + taxes...and I see it everywhere else going for $400 to $500..definitely would not have been able to afford it!

I am also trying to understand the watering needs of my plants now that they are grown outdoors. Before indoors I can somehow gauge it safe to water every week and a half, but outdoors, have to increase the frequency a bit.

[WhiteRabbit]

Looks great! I use skewers in pots to help determine when to water - been extremely helpful for me what with differences between winter and summer, and out side in summer vs inside (always breezy here, too, as well as low humidity day time in summer). Let us know how it goes!