Impact of Air Conditioning Growing Indoors

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Not to disprove JMNYC's theory, but my freezing temps are definitely at the behest of my wife!!

Sheeeeeeeeee.......is an exception!

When you met her, was she a clone....or a seeding? Seedlings......are UN PREDICTABLE

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by JMNYC

Sheeeeeeeeee.......is an exception!

When you met her, was she a clone....or a seeding? Seedlings......are UN PREDICTABLE

Definitely a seedling!!

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Definitely a seedling!!

I rest my case.

[RJSquirrel]

and many times more often than not, orchids arent as fussy as the ones who grow them

[Brooke]

Originally Posted by JMNYC

Hi.

While there is no way of avoiding it forever given the reality of summers in Manhattan, I try to avoid it as long as possible, but the time is approaching now.

How serious is the impact to my (or anyone's) collection grown indoors, is turning on the A/C?

Thanks!

What did you do about air conditioning prior to this summer? Did you notice any problems with them in past years?

When I grew in the house, they grew in a large SE window, with a vent under the table, with the temp set at 74 degrees, 24/7. The winter thermostat is lower than that so they were never hot and humid all the time.

I guess I never explained to my 'chids they were so special they needed pampering. My theory is grow if you want, if you don't, you can leave.

Brooke

[NYCorchidman]

A/C does not harm plants, but only helps in the summer.
I don't know what you grow, but many common hobby orchids are not tropical jungle plants.
I'm sure you know, but many of them occur in high elevation and/or high up in the canopy or rocks, constantly exposed to nice breeze.
For some forest bottom dwellers like some paphiopedilums in the barbarta section also occur somewhat higher in the mountain, and whether higher up or not so higher up in the mountain, they are slightly shaded by taller trees and there is a lot of breeze. The wind blows down from the top of the mountain during the hot day.

Some brachys might handle heat better, but we're still talking about 80 or just a bit higher for their "heat" preference.

So, AC during the hot and sticky NYC summer is only beneficial to houseplants including orchids.
Excessive heat is probably the worst enemy, stressing the plants much.
Stressed plants can easily succumb to the disease organisms that thrive under hot and humid conditions, like bacterial rot, which is a major threat to paphiopedilum growers in hot and humid conditions.

Also, this depends on each living/growing space.
With very bright large windows, the day time temperature can easily reach up to 90-100 without AC like in my place.
Before I go out in the morning on a hot summer day, I leave AC on or at least a large fan on. When I return in the evening, I definitely use AC for my survival.
Generally, when you feel comfortable, so are the orchids.
I try to shoot for no hotter than 85 during the day and no warmer than 70 at night.

I believe certain phals and vandas might be alright without AC, but even they do not NEED such extreme temperature like 95 and above.

As long as the cool air draft is not directed right at the plant, you have nothing to worry.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

and many times more often than not, orchids arent as fussy as the ones who grow them

You speak truth! And, importantly!

Sometimes, mea culpa....BUT, I would always rather err on the side of occasional hand wringing than the "my orchids are pawns in my agenda" icy sensibility, the net result of which is terrible neglect I see the results of ongoing just in my building. (Breathe.)

And that comprises 131 residential units (plus commercial ones).

POINT TAKEN!

---------- Post added at 02:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:13 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Brooke

What did you do about air conditioning prior to this summer? Did you notice any problems with them in past years?

When I grew in the house, they grew in a large SE window, with a vent under the table, with the temp set at 74 degrees, 24/7. The winter thermostat is lower than that so they were never hot and humid all the time.

I guess I never explained to my 'chids they were so special they needed pampering. My theory is grow if you want, if you don't, you can leave.

Brooke

Truth is, Brooke, I am a good grower; learned fast early on, invented things, etc…..did not know it until the two AOS judges who befriended me at one of our Spring shows came to visit and went bat doody; I had never seen anyone else’s collection; I tioo what I had evolved for granted. But, I also (grand trine in water)....pick up the reality of other living beings, the species is moot ....track record says accurately. I also get paid to do this re humans.

All my plants are impacted by the change, changes day by day; I adjust my cultural practices in response. The impact isn't dramatic, but it is discernible.

But, have to say...and I have written about this in beyond the feature I did for ORCHIDS...I have to say---I just reiterated this in another thread, I do not relate to any being who experiences any other being as some pawn in their personal agenda. After all, our plants did not ask to be with us and have to depend on our care.

Real caring is apolitical, never quid pro quo….forget, for me, therein is the joy.

I will add what is obvious: in all commercial growing facilities, including those with cutting edge technology and automation, climate control is pivotal.

In that event the goal is what marks all of commerce: maximizing profits. But same tenets.
_____________________________________
Addendum: relevant truth: medical clinicians with intact capacity to connect to each patient as an individual---I submit, something factory loaded in each of us, achieve far better clinical outcomes than those estranged from this capacity.

[Brooke]

Truth is, Brooke, I am a good grower; learned fast early on, invented things, etc…..did not know it until the two AOS judges who befriended me at one of our Spring shows came to visit and went bat doody; I had never seen anyone else’s collection; I tioo what I had evolved for granted. But, I also (grand trine in water)....pick up the reality of other living beings, the species is moot ....track record says accurately. I also get paid to do this re humans.

All my plants are impacted by the change, changes day by day; I adjust my cultural practices in response. The impact isn't dramatic, but it is discernible.

But, have to say...and I have written about this in beyond the feature I did for ORCHIDS...I have to say---I just reiterated this in another thread, I do not relate to any being who experiences any other being as some pawn in their personal agenda. After all, our plants did not ask to be with us and have to depend on our care.

Real caring is apolitical, never quid pro quo….forget, for me, therein is the joy.

I will add what is obvious: in all commercial growing facilities, including those with cutting edge technology and automation, climate control is pivotal.

In that event the goal is what marks all of commerce: maximizing profits. But same tenets.
_____________________________________
Addendum: relevant truth: medical clinicians with intact capacity to connect to each patient as an individual---I submit, something factory loaded in each of us, achieve far better clinical outcomes than those estranged from this capacity.[/QUOTE]


I thought the question was about air conditioning as it relates to your orchids in your home. I know you are a good grower because you have told us about your past experiences with AOS judges and an article in Orchids.

Would my question to you make more sense if I told you I know AOS judges, am married to one, have over 50 AOS awards, have bred and registered orchids, have had multiple articles in Orchids including a front cover devoted to one of my orchids? I didn't think so because that was not my intent when I asked you the questions. I told you how I grew them when they were inside and they were subjected to air conditioning that was set for my comfort.

I also don't understand what you mean

---- I do not relate to any being who experiences any other being as some pawn in their personal agenda. After all, our plants did not ask to be with us and have to depend on our care.----

I do not relate to my plants as beings, they are plants, and you are correct, they didn't ask to be with me but they are very happy I picked them. I don't have a personal agenda, I have a fantastic hobby.

Have a great day and hope you and your 'chids are adjusting to the air conditioning.

Brooke

[JMNYC]

Hey, Brooke......well, we are all trying to adapt. This year, the brutality of Manhattan summers, kicked in suddenly.

I went from size 2 to size 1 just coming back from my morning meeting.

Truth is, today, all my plants, not just my orchids, would suffer intensely, were I to turn the A/C off! This includes around 30 ginormous tropical plants......all found in the trash dying over time.
_____________________________
Edit: I think you may find this interesting:

New research on plant intelligence may forever change how you think about plants | Public Radio International

Not to mention the classic study from back in the day at Princeton when they hooked up a Philodendrum to a polygrah....and it responded clearly to humans entering the room with hostile feelings toward it versus the opposite.

All living beings are, to me, both thrilling and humbling in the complex realities, hardly just our species.

[JMNYC]

Update:

The dismal weather got in the way of our plan to go visit friends with uber beach house out on LI (I LOVE the beach)....but, starting last night, was able to turn off the A/C, and all my plants, not just my orchids, are, as usual, palpably happier.