Caring for Orchids in Brisbane, Australia

[Micky]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any tips/tricks to caring for orchids in Brisbane? I'm bayside and I have all my orchids in a 70% shadehouse (approximately 1.5 x 1.5 x 2 mtrs in size).

The shadehouse is up against a fence so the sun crosses over various parts of the shadehouse during the course of the day.

I have Vanda's (seedlings so far, but will be bringing some mature plants back from North Queensland in 2 weeks from Granma's nursery), Dendrobiums, Cattleya's, Oncidiums and Phal's... Most are mature plants, some are in need of some really good care as they were neglected for quite a while after Granma went into a home....

[orchids4me]

Sorry to hear about your grandma...
I'm going to bump up your thread seems to have slipped down a bit on the list. Sounds like you got a nice collection from her as well good luck and hopefully you country mates will be along to help

[terra_australis]

What side of the shadehouse is the fence on? West?

[Micky]

Originally Posted by terra_australis

What side of the shadehouse is the fence on? West?

The fence is actually on the Northside (sort of) of the shadehouse, so the sun sort of moves over the top of it all day, but in the morning, because of the angle the sun moves over the shadehouse, the front gets more sun, and in the afternoon the back gets more sun....

Sorry, I'm not really sure if that is clear enough to get an understanding as to what I mean...

[Brisbanite]

Micky, I am on the bayside also in Brisbane. My shadehouse has 70% on top and 50% over sides. My shadehouse was originally placed with the back against the fence at the back facing North. Thus the orchids at the back were in the shade most of the day. So we moved the s.house away from the fence. Now they get the sun on them. They are responding much better. Their leaves are not as dark as they were. Most orchids, I have read, like the morning sun on them, easing off the sun from mid-day on into the afternoon. Here at the moment, we are experiencing 34 deg. C. today, and yesterday. Lots of misting and a fan would help these orchids in this heat.

[terra_australis]

Originally Posted by Micky

The fence is actually on the Northside (sort of) of the shadehouse, so the sun sort of moves over the top of it all day, but in the morning, because of the angle the sun moves over the shadehouse, the front gets more sun, and in the afternoon the back gets more sun....

Sorry, I'm not really sure if that is clear enough to get an understanding as to what I mean...

Yes, that explains it fine. Depends on what type of orchids you want to grow but you may find in Winter that the shallow angle of the sun will mean that it will be in shade all day. High light plants like Vandas and Dendrobiums will probably want more light. I don't think they'll die, but if you don't give enough light there is less chance of flowering.

[Micky]

I'd say that most of the orchids are in direct sunlight (through the shadecloth) between 9am and 4pm at the moment. I'm worried about over/under watering though

[terra_australis]

Yes, well the sun will be more or less overhead during summer so they should be fine for the moment.

Watering is going to depend on a few things... what are the plants potted in? Bark, sphag, volcanic rock, mounted etc.

BTW, is there a roof over your shadehouse or just shadecloth?

[Micky]

Originally Posted by terra_australis

Yes, well the sun will be more or less overhead during summer so they should be fine for the moment.

Watering is going to depend on a few things... what are the plants potted in? Bark, sphag, volcanic rock, mounted etc.

BTW, is there a roof over your shadehouse or just shadecloth?

Just shadecloth at the moment, but if it starts to rain too much I'll be putting the plastic cover back over it.

Granma's are in a mix of Kwinken rock, bark, sphag moss and charcoal. Vanda's are in a mix of bark and perlite, and one dendrobium is mounted on tree fern with a bit of sphag moss behind it...

[terra_australis]

OK, in this heat anything in an open mix (bark, rock, perlite etc.) I'd probably give a good soak twice a week in the morning. Also depends on the size of the pot. Bigger pots don't dry out as quickly so won't need as much of a soaking, just a quick wetting down. Sphag needs closer attention, you need to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't dry out too much but you also don't want to wet it too much because it can hold a lot of water. If you get decent rain, substitute that for one of your waterings.

BTW, I prefer to have a roof so you can control watering much more easily. It certainly helps a lot with terrestrials but I guess epiphytes are not so picky.

[Micky]

Originally Posted by terra_australis

OK, in this heat anything in an open mix (bark, rock, perlite etc.) I'd probably give a good soak twice a week in the morning. Also depends on the size of the pot. Bigger pots don't dry out as quickly so won't need as much of a soaking, just a quick wetting down. Sphag needs closer attention, you need to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't dry out too much but you also don't want to wet it too much because it can hold a lot of water. If you get decent rain, substitute that for one of your waterings.

BTW, I prefer to have a roof so you can control watering much more easily. It certainly helps a lot with terrestrials but I guess epiphytes are not so picky.

Cool, thanks Dan. I bought one of those plastic 'greenhouses' and replaced the plastic cover with 70% shadecloth. I'm planning to only use the plastic cover over the top of the shadecloth during the wetter weather and in winter.

[terra_australis]

Originally Posted by Micky

Cool, thanks Dan. I bought one of those plastic 'greenhouses' and replaced the plastic cover with 70% shadecloth. I'm planning to only use the plastic cover over the top of the shadecloth during the wetter weather and in winter.

Which sort? The light type with the 12mm steel tubing or the sort with the heavy 35mm steel tubing?

Mine is the latter and it's fine to keep the plastic cover over as well, as long as you keep the windows open. Head space gets really toasty but the lower section (under the window level) is very hospitable. I had to put 2 layers of 70% shadecloth over mine because it gets full sun all day at the moment.

[Micky]

Mine is the light sort, 12mm piping and no 'windows'. The plastic cover is 100% clear allover and there is only a full length door, so I was thinking that when I put it on I'll leave the door open for ventilation.

[terra_australis]

Yeah, it could work but I like the crossflow I get in mine with a window at each end.

Perhaps a pair of scissors would come in handy? LOL