Really frustrated lately

[nlm2951]

Tommy: Our beautiful sunshine will come back, I was thinking that you can put a fan, on of those standing up, that will dry the roots. You know some people tell me to remove the plastic from my GH and say no, no, no, I have no problem when the rain comes, they are dry ,you know, I have to use more water, but I'm ok. norma

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

Tommy, what sorts of problems are you having? I live in Miami and it hasn't stopped raining but none of my plants are having any problems.

do you pot in clay and in LECA? Or are you using something else? I tired LECA/TREEFERN and it didn't go well for me at all. So, for me, it's straight LECA with river rocks and clay pots or 2) mounts or 3) slat baskets.

I check daily and I'm not having issues. YET.

Thanks, I have many mounted, these are fine, except cattleya luteola that is mounted and tide up to the balcony railing, so I can't move it, it seems like this excessive water is not making her happy, they should go much drier in winter time, also some dendros are not really happy with all this water, the ones needing winter rest, pendulum got one biggest cane yellow and rotted, so had to cut that one, my Ancistrochilus hates this rain, and I had to move it inside because I see roots starting to have issues.
Tree fern worked for me the whole summer just perfect, more amazing, my oncidiums switched to tree fern were thriving like no time before, and lecca was good as well, but it seems like the luck of heat and sunshine at this time, and excessive rain is not great for anything in lecca anymore, I had to take orchids out of it since it was way too wet for days. But as I said, I am at the point I give up, and whatever happens happens, I can not be at the balcony 24/7, moving, shifting, hanging, taking down, re potting, changing medium at this time of the year. I just wish this sh... rain would stop already and we will get our dry season finally!

---------- Post added at 07:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:21 PM ----------

Originally Posted by nlm2951

Tommy: Our beautiful sunshine will come back, I was thinking that you can put a fan, on of those standing up, that will dry the roots. You know some people tell me to remove the plastic from my GH and say no, no, no, I have no problem when the rain comes, they are dry ,you know, I have to use more water, but I'm ok. norma

Norma I would definitely not take the plastic, I like your set up, more watering but at least you have a control, and can protect them in the days like these. I did like your setup when I was at your place. Maybe you can put some cover that you can remove if needed and than put back, but I know it may be too much work. For me with our nasty weather, I would keep it as you have it Norma!

[HighSeas]

I feel your pain Tommy. I'm in Central Florida and it did NOTHING but rain all summer. At the point where I had to put a few in "sick-bay", I just packed them all up and brought them into the house. That made for a hard summer...hauling them in and out. I have them outside again but protected except for the cold....working on that now.

If you can....haul them all in! It's certainly not like they are going to get enough light anyway, and at least that won't kill them (temporarily) Do you have a spare bathroom with a window?

Good luck. You have such a beautiful collection. I hope you come up with some temporary solution.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Originally Posted by HighSeas

I feel your pain Tommy. I'm in Central Florida and it did NOTHING but rain all summer. At the point where I had to put a few in "sick-bay", I just packed them all up and brought them into the house. That made for a hard summer...hauling them in and out. I have them outside again but protected except for the cold....working on that now.

If you can....haul them all in! It's certainly not like they are going to get enough light anyway, and at least that won't kill them (temporarily) Do you have a spare bathroom with a window?

Good luck. You have such a beautiful collection. I hope you come up with some temporary solution.

Thanks HighSeas, yeah, the summer was hell with rain, but than, it was summer, so hot and sun from time to time. However, this fall rain, that is absolutely not normal what so ever for this time of the year is killing them. I can't move them inside, first of all, we have only one bedroom apartment, second the deal with my hubby is - as far as they are outside, it is fine, but no orchids inside the house - he freaks about bugs etc. So, I did take in only few most in danger, catasetums etc, but I really have no space and nerves to move them in, let's not forget, it is raining for 5 days already here, and we do work also in the house, so really no space for everything plus orchids being here for week plus:-( It was hell raining yesterday the whole day, it was raining again today since 5pm till now, and the wind started, so now everything is flying also. The forecast for tomorrow - rain. I did give up officially yesterday, this is lost battle, whatever happens happen, that's it, if weather won't get better, than be it, I did start with this orchid craziness just because I could keep them outside year round.

---------- Post added at 10:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 PM ----------

PS both bathrooms no windows, there is only huge glass wall in living room to balcony and one window in bedroom but since we are last floor, it is under the roof and no light:-( And I just can't imagine to move some 130+ anyway:-)

---------- Post added 11-25-2013 at 12:52 AM ---------- Previous post was 11-24-2013 at 10:57 PM ----------

I think this is it, just check the weather, next 3 days 60-90% chance of rain, that means our 5 days non stop is gonna go to 8 days non stop, on the top Wednesday when it is 90% chance of rain the temps drop to 58F, so I am pretty sure there will be some reduction in my collection:-(((( I don't believe in any Florida dry season anymore, it did rain non stop pretty much the whole summer, and non stop pretty much the whole fall! Good luck to anyone living in South Florida!

[RosieC]

I hope things improve for you soon