Summer 2015

[My Green Pets]

Here are a couple of panoramic shots of my plants outdoors.





The green shade cloth is 70% and the black is 50%.

So far,
things are growing well; the plants seem to be enjoying the humidity as well as the rain.

I still need to improve my fertilizing practices--I'm a bit negligent when it comes to that.

[RosieC]

Looking good!

[Leafmite]

You have a great set up!
Fertilizing has been a problem for me. We've been having so much rain that my orchid medium is getting flushed a little too well. :|

[My Green Pets]

In bloom at the moment:

Onc. Speckled Spire 'Wisp'


Onc. Sharry Baby 'Velvet Maroon'


The Japanese beetles are out and indiscriminately munching on the Oncidium flowers. I watered with a pesticide (permethrin) to try and deter them, but I don't know if it will do any good.

Also:

Max. tenuifolia


Christmas cactus (?!)

[My Green Pets]

Bugs. Eat. Flowers.



Regardless, I think the benefits of the warmth, sun, rain, humidity, and fresh air outside make up for the obnoxious plant-eating critters

[RosieC]

Some nice ones. Shame about the bugs.

[RosieC]

Oh and it does look like a Christmas Cactus to me.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Looks good.This would never work for me the wind would take it all away Your Onc types are beautiful.

[lotis146]

Nice set up, sure do have a lot of room...would be a shame to have to get some more and take up some of that empty space...

So I have to ask - and/or maybe post a new thread - about shade cloth. What do you keep under the 70% versus the 30%? I'm going to have to get some as the summer sun has heated up quite a bit and I've caused a few plants to suffer leaving them where they sat in the spring - ah the sun's learning curve... Was thinking I'd go the 30% route so curious about your use of it.

Thanks so much for sharing it all, lovely blooms!

[Picotee]

Cool set up and yes, looks like a Christmas cactus. I have two pinks and a red. Neat plants.