Moving S/H outdoors
 

Ok i have a weird dilemna...

Moved into a new apartment which faces south but the only sunlight I get is blocked by an above balcony belonging to my neighbor on the 2nd floor. The sun that actually does make it i\to my apartment is confined to my outside patio area....

I have a collection ranging from phals to paphs to oncs to dens to catts....

My dilemna is.. since I have limited sun exposure inside my apartment through the windows.. I am now forced to put these orchids outside in order to access light..... only the thing is... it's now approcaching october and november... when temps cool down.... Right now (september) my area is experiencing 80s and 90s but I know as we get closer n closer to october these temps will drop down...

I guess my question is what should I do... given my situation??

a) Put my orchids outside in the meantime till it gets cold? Then bring inside?

b) Put my higher light orchids (dens, oncs) outside? and keep phals and paphs inside?

c) Just keep all of them inside and wait till next spring to even consider putting these plants outside?

d) other idea..

I'm avoiding buying lights and all that stuff due to limited apartment space and also budget reasons...

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!! :scratchhead:

Much of your dilemma is a matter of choice, but I can tell you that plants in semi-hydro culture will not tolerate temperatures as low as those in dry pots.

I really think you'll need to get lights.

that,s you,re only option.

Where in California do you live? Knowing the exact climate you're in could prove to be really helpful. For example, Orange or Tustin would do fine with SH outdoors if draining resevoirs when cold snaps are approaching.

Living in Northern Cali to be exact.. San Jose Cali

San Jose is just fine for outdoor culture. I would bring in my phals once temps drop below 55 at night as well as mottled leaf paphs. Depending on the Cattleya or Dendrobium I would leave some outside and bring some in. Regardless, I personally dont have confidense using S/H outdoors here where night temps can get chilly. I prefer something that can insulate roots a bit.

See the thing is... SJ is kinda one of those places that is on the borderline of OK for outdoor... because on the one hand it can be quite warm and sunny on the other end it can also get quite cold especially late october to early march... you never know... I've opted to keep my orchids inside and wait till next spring to bring em out... also thinking about purchasing some cheap lights.. i got some full sun t8s so we'll see how high the electric bill gets with it on most of the day