(Zigo + Onc) - HR = Poor growth

[rbarata]

Hello, my friends

Now that temps are over 86 F (30ºC), with a forecast of 99 F (37ºC) next week, humidity is going down as usual (today with have something like 16%).
This is posing a problem for my zigo and my oncidium. While the zigo has been growing poorly, the onc is growing nicely but with its leaves all curled.
The place where I have them, in this time of the year spring / summer) has an HR between 20~30% and it doesn't go higher than this.

I need some ideas to solve this problem. Misting and water trays doesn't seem to be a solution.
Enclosure them? But how?
Water culture?

[jcec1]

I grow my zygos wet. I water a couple of times a week, and have the pots sitting in a couple of cm of water and they are dry by the next watering - they are water hogs. Having them wet in warm weather (here that means 20-25C indoors) has not caused me any root rot issues.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by jcec1

I grow my zygos wet. I water a couple of times a week, and have the pots sitting in a couple of cm of water and they are dry by the next watering - they are water hogs. Having them wet in warm weather (here that means 20-25C indoors) has not caused me any root rot issues.

What kind of pot do you use?

[Dollythehun]

Rbarata, I have mine in a greenhouse window over the sink. However, I had good results with a ceramic pot ( with holes) and a spaghnum mix. You could grow them with other plants, or tent them.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by rbarata

What kind of pot do you use?

12cm plastic pots with a ceramic cache pot. I use Seramis and bark mix as the potting medium.

[estación seca]

I can't address the Zygos. When I was a kid in southern California, the species were considered difficult to grow, due to heat. Costa Mesa and Newport Beach are cooler than your temperatures. I would bring your Zygos inside to the coolest room, and have them in clay pots for evaporative cooling.

I had to stand my Oncidium hybrids in sphagnum in dishes of water as spring progressed, or they grew pleated leaves. However, they died rapidly when day temperatures reached 37-38C. In the future I will keep them inside the air-conditioned house for the summer, rather than the evaporative-cooled sun room.

[rbarata]

I had to stand my Oncidium hybrids in sphagnum in dishes of water as spring progressed

Do you mean the same as jcec1 does?

I would bring your Zygos inside to the coolest room, and have them in clay pots for evaporative cooling.

I have it inside. Fortunately, is spite of the temps outside, the max I'll get indoors in that room is 28ºC (82,4 F). My problem is only low HR.

I had good results with a ceramic pot ( with holes) and a spaghnum mix. You could grow them with other plants, or tent them.

I thought about spaghnum, at least they won't dry out in one or two days. How to you tent them? Mine are in the living room so tent them would be something awkward to see... to the visitors, I mean.

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Do you mean the same as jcec1 does?



I have it inside. Fortunately, is spite of the temps outside, the max I'll get indoors in that room is 28ºC (82,4 F). My problem is only low HR.



I thought about spaghnum, at least they won't dry out in one or two days. How to you tent them? Mine are in the living room so tent them would be something awkward to see... to the visitors, I mean.

I sometimes put a clear plastic bag over them. Remove it when you have company.

[rbarata]

I think the best solution is to find one of those plastic shelves, assemble only 3 shelves (bottom, middle & top) and cover it with that kitchen plastic wrap.
That's the quickest solution. I will be away for at least 10 days so I will do that.

The long term solution might be this one.

[rbarata]

Done!

Plastic wrap covering the shelves.
Dind't put the plants inside yet 'cause I wanted to know how the environment inside changes during the day.

Here's the data:

HR Day time: 49%
HR night time: 80%

Temp day time: 29ºC (84,2 F)
Temp night time: 24ºC (75,2 F)



Need to improve the front door...handling that sticky plastic damages my nerves.