Indoor/outdoor orchids

[boxerfan]

I have been putting my Phals. outside for several hours each day to soak up some extra sun and enjoy Spring. I have also given them steam baths several mornings each week in my sunny, East facing bathroom. I take them in the bathroom and run the hot shower with the door closed for 15 minutes, then I turn off the shower and let them bask in the steam with the door closed for 20-30 minutes, then I open the door a bit to let the last of the steam dissapate (sp.) and the temperature to even out before moving them back to their window. My question is, do these changes do more harm than good? A friend who has grown orchids for years tells me her orchids don't like change and get stressed if she moves them around too much. Another reason why I'm asking is because I am thinking of getting a small GH, but I was only planning on having the orchids live there part time so I can enjoy them in the house too. As usual, any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Lisa

[kmarch]

How long have you had you plants and how long have you been giving them this culture?

[palito]

why are you giving them a steam bath?. I wonder if it makes any real difference compared to having a lower but constant humidity level all day long.

I guess it depends on the plants. I don't think a delicate plant that likes warmth and high humidity with exposed roots will appreciate big swings in temperature and humidity or being moved inside a house under AC even for few hours. But probably most typical consumer orchids will tolerate it as long as the change is not extreme.

[pikevi]

with the basic knowledge that I have about living things , I tend to agree with palito.

While I think it is a great idea to give them the steam bath, it is more critical what the temperature they will be exosed to following the steam bath will be.

Almost all living things have some protective mechanisms in place to ward off effects of changes but that takes a bit of time.. sometimes days and weeks.

This kind of sudden changes may actually harm the plants , if not kill them.

If you have had successes in the past, please tell us what the normal (ambient)temperature that they are exposed to under normal circumstances.

A very interesting idea.

{BTW, in a much simpler way I do the same with my heater and the fine mist humidifier. The humidifier is placed by the side of the heater and the 'mist' is heated before it is allowed to permeate the room. But it is not much of a heat, though}

[jerrymeola]

Orchids are some of the hardiest plants on the earth.

As you have seen it does not seem to be harming them, but I feel the benefit is more in your mind then in the plant. Children, pets, plants, it feels good to pamper them.

I am not a fan of short term humidity increases. They are too short lived to do much. Fortunately they rarely do any harm.

Orchids with limited exceptions do very well in low humidity. We are in a severe drought condition in Florida and there is no humidity the past 4 months. Orchids are blooming as well as ever and probably better due to a warmer than normal winter.

The big advantage of commercial misters and higher humidity, is to allow more time for the roots to soak up water. Normal watering in Florida is for 20-30 minutes a day. Merely pouring water over the roots just does not develop the thick pseudo-bulbs we like to see on our plants.

Commercial misters use mechanical switches that collect the moisture until the weight shuts it off and then automatically restarts when the water on the plate evaporates. This constant all day moisture works (but expensive), but you would get just as much effect by leaving your orchids in the rain. (my favorite way of growing orchids)

[tom499]

I would agree with the others on the short term humidity boost, but i do put my orchids outside on a good day in the greenhouse. Living in the UK the temperature often falls to around 10 degrees at night, too cold for most of my orchids, but during a nice sunny day i will put them in there as they will get similiar temps to indoors but a slightly high humidity and more sun. I do this every day in the summer, so a pattern will build up and the plants will get used to it. Then i keep them indoors all the time in winter in the same window position.

But as jerry says, orchids are very hardy plants, living in jungle canopys afterall so i wouldnt worry too much about moving them around, but try and stick to a routine, especially when the orchids are budding and flowering.

[boxerfan]

Thanks all. I've had these guys 4-6 weeks. Sounds like I can stop the steam baths (and conserve water), but let them go out for sunning on nice days. Typically when I put them outside, I try to match the indoor temp and outdoor temp closely at transfer and let Mother Nature warm them gradually through out the day. Lisa