How HOT is too HOT?!? - Orchid Board

Plodde · #1 03-11-2015, 12:09 AM

How HOT is too HOT?!?

I live in Palm Desert California and the summer is fast approaching, temperature wise. Today my terrarium got up to 95F, but come July/August the outside temps can get up to 112F. The only way to lower the temp is to lower my shades but this in turn lowers the light level by 50% and my Aerides and Rhynchostylis' love light.
My question is; If Humidity is kept high ( 70%- 85%) how hot can the temperature get before it starts to do harm to the orchid?

AussieVanda · #2 03-11-2015, 10:52 AM

Unless you can provide constant cross breeze with fresh air, I would expect that you are running the risk of steaming your plants.

Under normal circumstances, high temps with high humidity should not be a problem...unless you have a cool-intermediate grower.

My plants are subjected to these temp/humidity levels regularly, however mine are also grown under a purpose built greenhouse with no walls so as to ensure constant cross breeze with fresh air.

DQinPhil · #3 03-11-2015, 12:02 PM

Lower light just means slower growth and slower blooming. But if temps are too high, you might end up with more than just a nice looking tan on your plants. Damaged plants grow even slower.

flexdc · #4 03-11-2015, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plodde

How HOT is too HOT?!?

I live in Palm Desert California and the summer is fast approaching, temperature wise. Today my terrarium got up to 95F, but come July/August the outside temps can get up to 112F. The only way to lower the temp is to lower my shades but this in turn lowers the light level by 50% and my Aerides and Rhynchostylis' love light.
My question is; If Humidity is kept high ( 70%- 85%) how hot can the temperature get before it starts to do harm to the orchid?

I grow Rhynchostylis here in LA and they actually can bloom in very bright light w/o the sun. I grow it against a north facing wall in the summer and high up so it receives very bright light but very little direct sun. Just for your info. Also my Cattleyas all blooms without problems.

Plodde · #5 03-11-2015, 05:38 PM

Thank you everyone for ur responses. This is something I've been struggling with for awhile. It seems the best idea would be to move my terrarium away from the window and try to keep the heat 100F and below during the hottest months.
As long as they bloom I can't care how long I have to wait for the spikes to form buds and for the buds to form flowers! As long as everything is safe and healthy!!