110F tomorrow and it's not quite July!!!!

[Paul Mc]

Everyone, we're getting ready to be slammed in St. Louis with temps between 100 and 110F for at least a week with no foreseeable breaks. All of the orchids that can take warmer temps are outside, but I'm a bit concerned about this excessive heat wave so early. I'm guessing I should up my watering from 1 to 2 times a week to maybe 2 or three? What does everyone do to protect their 'chids in this sort of weather?

As a side note, I'm preparing to go on vacation for a week and a half starting on the 7th. I'm half tempted to bring all of my orchids in and water them the day before I leave in case this best wave continues/returns during that time. What's your take on this? I'm just concerned that a week inside in cooler temps will devestate them when I return them outside. Maybe I'm just being overly cautious and concerned?

[isurus79]

I had my orchids outside for 90 days of 100 plus degree weather last summer. They did very well, but needed good shade (I used 50 or 60% aluminet) and I watered 2x per day. My Catts did the best under these conditions and grew surprisingly well. If you aren't going to be around to watch them intensely though, I would bring them into a cooler environment. Putting them back outside after a week should not be a problem either.

[Paul Mc]

So you watered twice a day?! Are they mounted or potted?

[isurus79]

All were potted.

[Paul Mc]

Aluminet is ordered, but won't be here before I leave. They are under a huge pin oak tree, but there is still some light during the evening for about 1 hour as the sun moves. This is because the neighbors removed their pun oak that competed with ours, so there are bare spots for the time being.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Aluminet is ordered, but won't be here before I leave. They are under a huge pin oak tree, but there is still some light during the evening for about 1 hour as the sun moves. This is because the neighbors removed their pun oak that competed with ours, so there are bare spots for the time being.

Sounds like a good setup to me. Just position your sun loving plants in the brightest areas and shield the plants that don't like as much sun. They should be ok! However, any buds that formed last year for me during this period all turned out misshapen and deformed, so bring in plants that start throwing spikes.

[Leafmite]

Wow! I am whining because temps will be 94'F! Of course we don't have air conditioning, just a couple of fans, and much of the summer has already been around 90'F. I have been watering once a day. The humidity has been lower due to a lack of rain so everything dries quickly. I can't imagine temps over 100'F.

[camille1585]

I just bring everything inside when I go away, and they're fine. If it's as hot while you're gone you'll get back to some pretty dehydrated orchids.
I havne't even put some of my orchids outside this year, the weather is crap. Temps in the 60s most of the time and raining. Feels like we're perpetually stuck in spring....

[smweaver]

I too would bring everything inside, not because of the heat, which most of the warm/hot growers should be able to handle if they're out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, but because of your upcoming vacation, when lack of water will be the biggest concern. Good luck--and thanks for the warning (since we tend to get the same weather you do).

[Paul Mc]

Thank for all of the thoughts everyone! I watered even my potted orchids today even though I watered yesterday lightly and heavily on Sunday. The leaves were burning hot to the touch!!!!! And they were in shade!

It's so hot that the neighbor had a frying pan with eggs in it on her SIDEWALK!!! The scary part! They were almost fried!!! B