Jerry Meola Please

[Gladys47]

I've read where you say you leave your orchids out year round. I live on the Texas coast. Galveston area. Mine are on my glassed in porch. Problem is it is only closed on 3 and1/2 sides. The doorway is open and would be difficult to install a door there due to construction. Temps rarely go into 30's and we never have frost.Do you think they will be alright there for winter ?I am new to this since this summer.Is it just too risky? I value your opinion Thanks, Gladys
PS. I could hang heavy plastis sheeting over entry during extreme cold if necessary. It wouldn't look to pretty but who's to care?

[Ellen]

Well, I'm not Jerry, but my response would be that whether you can leave your orchids out depends on what kind they are. Many are fine with occasional temps in the 40's or even high 30's, but others would need to be brought inside. A list of the genera you grow would help.

[jerrymeola]

Most of the orchids that are commonly grown can go into the low 30s for short periods of time.

Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Oncidium alliance (and I will include Miltonia and its hybrids in this group) and even Phalaenopsis can handle these temperatures well. Phals, Nobile Dendrobiums and Paph can use the temperature drops as an inducement to bud.

Lets look at your glass house in details. First since it is attached to the side of the house and wind can not go through, the actual temperature inside the glass will be as much as 6-8 degrees warmer than the weather report. The walls of your house are much warmer and act as a radiator heating the area. Your temperatures will be higher than my shade-house and my orchids are not coming in this winter there are just too many. I think your temperatures will be better than the 28 I subjected mine to last winter.

Commercial growers cover the sides of their shade houses with plastic for the winter. You can tape a sheet of plastic over the opening if you are worried about the temperature a lot. It will hold in a lot more heat than you might think.

I think your orchids will handle the temperatures fine. If it is getting really cold one night and you are worried you can drape a light cloth over the plants. It makes a mini greenhouse for a short period. Do not leave it too long or you can induce rot, but overnight works well.

I think you face bigger dangers in the summer heat rather than the winter cold. You do not have a flow through for breezes, which is a breading ground for rot. Fortunately there is a cheap easy cure. Provide good air. A decorative ceiling fan will be sufficient both for the orchids and your own comfort. An oscillating fan will work just as well.

[Gladys47]

Thank you so much Jerry. I'm gonna go for it. Tho I did chicken out last night and bring ny Vanda in! The summer will be fine . They are really large windows, 6 or 7 ft. They all raise up for summer and always a nice breeze.