Help needed! Lights, cats and moving!
 

I'm moving next month closer to my job to a bigger place with a really big windowsill that has unobstructed west, north and a little bit of obstructed south exposure (that windowsill sealed the deal, I was sold the moment I saw that).

But... now I have 3 questions:

1) I've been growing most of my orchids under lights because my west facing window is small and obstructed and my electricity bill is really cheap in the part of town I'm currently living. I'm sure it will be a lot more expensive in my new apartment. Do you think I can rebloom my orchids in my windowsill only on natural light (I live in Mexico City, btw)? (I'm concerned about my NOID Cattleya, Neofinetias, Brassavolas, Encyclias, Lycastes and Catasetinae).

2) I grow some cool growing orchids in another room that has almost no natural light, so it's a lot cooler than the rest of the house. That's where I grow my Cymbidium, Zygopetalum, an Encyclia adenocaula and where I give a winter rest to the orchids that need it (mainly neos, S. japonica, Dendrobiums, etc) . Will my cool growing orchids be able to rebloom if I can't provide a cooler temperatures? Do you have any tips for growing cooler growing orchids in the same room as warmer ones?

3) I'm moving in with someone that has 2 cats. I'm terrified for my orchids. I have a lot of small and miniature orchids that could easily be severely damaged if a cat decides to nibble them. I've already bought a Scat Mat just in case, and I plan to move them slowly (starting with a Cymbidium and an Oncidium that won't mind losing a leaf or 2) and spraying the hell out of them with really spicy peppers and bitter things. Any other tips?

Congratulations.

Sounds like you can grow a lot of different orchids from the way you describe things.

If the sunlight they're getting is bright enough, I don't see why not.

Unless I'm missing the point of your question, this is my answer regarding this matter.

You shouldn't have problems re-blooming Zygopetalum, Vanda (Neofinetia) falcata, Sedirea japonica, Cymbidiums, or the Dendrobiums. Can't say for the Encyclia adenocaula, never grew it before, so I don't know how finicky it is about conditions not being right.

Don't know how to advise other than to keep the cats away from your growing areas.

My indoor orchids are easily accessible to our two cats but they don’t ever chew them.

One cat has pica (psychological condition - continually gnaws timber, electrical leads etc) and the orchids are one of the few things left in the house she hasn’t chewed.

They have access to cattleyas, bulbos and an oncidium.

So I think you should be ok, but all cats are individuals.

Do the cats have access to catgrass? If so, it will reduce their desire to investigate plant matter.

One of my cats recently ate, in its entirety, a 10+ fan specimen of N. falcata 'Suminagashi'.

I agree with Philip about the light level.

As to the "coolness" factor, time will tell on that, but you may be more likely to see their reaction by how they're growing, more than how they are reblooming.

Keep in mind that this WILL be a change for the plants too, so they may take a little time to adjust to the new conditions. If reliable bloomers skip a cycle, don't get too concerned. Be observant and watch for changes in leaf color and turgidity, as they will be the likely first indicators of different growth - good or bad.

I think your planned "aversion training" is your best bet with the cats, unless you can just keep them separated from the plants altogether.

From experience ( Subrosa being the exception) my cats go for filmier leaves. Although they have punished me by chewing others, but not demolishing them. A barrier would help, as might Bitter Apple spray. Each cat is an individual. My Nathan has access to many orchids. I had an Epidendrum in the sink preparing to pack it for shipping. It was close to his meal time, when I went to the basement for packing materials, he shredded the leaves (but did not eat them) as my punishment. Also, cats love to lay in windows, you will now be blocking their access...individuals all.

Thank you! That's good to know.

---------- Post added at 08:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:12 PM ----------

I believe those cats rarely destroy anything, I just hope they don't get stressed out by the big change and take it out on my plants.

The catgrass is a good idea, I'll try to grow it myself for them. Anything to keep them away from the orchids.

---------- Post added at 08:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:15 PM ----------

:( Jesus... that's terrible!

---------- Post added at 08:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:17 PM ----------

I'll be patient with all of these changes, I'll keep you posted if anything goes south.

I can keep my orchids in a separate room, but I would have to go back to growing under lights and waste a perfectly good windowsill. I think I will keep my small and mini orchids locked inside a cage or something like that as a precaution for a while.

---------- Post added at 08:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:22 PM ----------

I was thinking on purchasing them a window hammock as a peace offering. Maybe that will work?

Probably not. Get a baker's rack for in front of the window. The feline mind does not work like yours.