putting my orchids outdoors should I cover them

[emg53]

It's time here in Central Florida to put my orchids outside. I have acquired quite a few since last year so I need more space. I have a great screened in area that we use to keep away the raccoons from our ripe pineapples which will work for most of my orchids. Right now I have my Den Nobles out there with out any cover. My problem is my catts. Should I use a solid cover so they don't get rained on and I can control the amount of water or should I just use a shade cloth and not worry about the daily afternoon thunderstorms in summer? They are planted in clay pots with course bark.

[tucker85]

It depends a few things. If you grow in plastic pots and/or use fir bark as a medium, your catts won't do well when the rainy season starts. You'll need to put them under some cover. I grow about a hundred cattleyas outdoors but I have them in wood baskets with large chunks of cork for media. They've survived summers where it rains practically every day. The cork doesn't hold any water at all. The down side is that I have to water a lot when it's not raining. One other suggestion. Calcium is very important in order to grow cattleyas the will resist fungus and rot during the summer. I use a calcium/magnesium supplement that I always add to my fertilizer during the summer. The one I use is called MagiCal and it's available at hydroponics stores.

[emg53]

Thanks Tucker85 I know they need extra Cal so I have been using dolomite in with the other fertilizer once a week. I think I have seen MagiCal at home depot.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by emg53

Thanks Tucker85 I know they need extra Cal so I have been using dolomite in with the other fertilizer once a week. I think I have seen MagiCal at home depot.

Dolomite works very well. I know several growers who use it.