| I grow thousands of Cattleya Alliance outdoors year round and drops to the low thirties will sometimes damage leaves dead plants are few and far between. I usually have a couple of nights in the high 20s and if the temperature drop is less than 4 hours in duration, the lower temperature is not a problem.
A variation to mounting in trees is to mount on wood (I use grapevine) and hang the plants from the tree branches. It is being done so that the plants can be brought closer or even into the house when in flower and returned to the tree after the flowers die.
You could then bring them inside if you were worried about extreme temperatures.
You will find that a full tree will raise the temperature around the branches by several degrees. You should take some readings to get a feel for your property.
The tree canopy creates a pocket of air around the plants. Wind becomes a worry as it will lower the temperature, but even here the branches are a wind break and much more protection than an exposed plant. During the summer it acts as a heat shield lowering the temperature.
You can also protect the orchids by running water over them by using a sprinkler all night. It works well here in Florida.
All the hybrids you chose will do well outside. I find BLC's are the easiest with LC's next and SLC's a little more temperamental but SLC's have the best reds. Hybrids do better than species but I find they are also easier in pots.
The more logical reason for losing orchids in trees is the need for regular consistent water. Watering every day is desirable. Evaporation of the water from the exposed roots increases the need for water. Death is a long slow deterioration so the reason is not obvious.
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jerry  |