Learning How To Grow All Over Again

Microclimates exist in any greenhouse, just as they do in nature.

The successful Orchid and Bromeliad grower has to keep this in mind, while considering the preferences for light and temperature among the plant collection.

Cattleyas, for instance, are mostly intermediate to warm growing. There are also some cool growing species that do not do well in a warm house. It is important to know the habits of the species used in making hybrids. Most of all, it is important to just watch your plants.

 

This is the Cattleya table. I can also grow other warm-growing genera here.This area of the house receives sunlight all day, and is one of the warmest areas. It sits above the swamp cooler, but the cool air is deflected away by baffles. Some Cattleyas hang from the roof above this table.

This Maxillaria Tenuifolia (the Coconut Orchid) has been hanging up next to the roof in a very bright part of the house, but the pseudobulbs appear slightly shriveled, and the new growth is small. This tells us that the plant is unhappy in that location. I've moved it to the cool part of the house with little light for now.

Phalaenopsis (the blooming orchids in the middle) are epiphytes from Southeast Asia. They prefer warm temperatures with less sunlight. In nature they grow in the shade on trees. My Phalaenopsis looked like they were struggling in brighter areas of the house, so I dedicated this area to them. I wrapped 60% shade cloth around the back, which is hit by strong morning sun.

 I also mounted pieces of corrugated roofing under each bench. This accomplishes three things:

1. More shade

2. It  prevents water from trickling down from overhead plants, giving me total control over moisture.

3. It provides additional humidity, as water will evaporate that has collected there.

 

This was the immediate result; new leaf and root growth!

 

In addition to light and temperature requirements, we see that each plant has individual water requirements depending on location and growing media used. I have started experimenting with growing media and pots, forcing me to think "outside the box" of the way things were done 40 years ago!

I will report the results of those experiments in subsequent articles.

 



Infrastructure

The past few weeks, I have been busy moving items into the Temple. The most important, besides the Cooler, are places for plants.

These benches got moved from the remains of Temple #5, which is being transformed into a new patio. The lower bench is 3-tier, and needed no restoration. It now occupies the northeast corner of the new Temple. I was able to salvage the wire from the above bench to make this:

 

Next on the agenda, was shading. The clear side panels let in 100% sunlight, far too much in this climate.

This is what the north and east walls look like with Aluminet 40% shade cloth:

Even with the addition of 40% shade cloth and the translucent roof, the house is quite bright. I am finding the cool and hot spots in the house. I plan to add additional shading to the 3 tier bench for the Phalaenopsis, which like warmth but less light.

I will initially fertilize weekly with a weak solution of Orchid fertilizer, which will be drawn up into the water hose with a Siphonex. I will have to assess the plants' nutritional needs over the next few years in such a bright house.