[longmao]

Hi, seeking advise. During rainy season, what do you guys do with your plants? Do you place them in a different location?

Currently I placed my orchids and African violets along the corridor facing west. During monsoon season, the rain will splatter along corridor and I will reposition my African Violets but not for the orchids. However I am always worried about my orchids getting too wet. Is my concern valid?

[exotic n easy]

longmao, on 14 August 2011 - 12:48 AM, said:

Hi, seeking advise. During rainy season, what do you guys do with your plants? Do you place them in a different location?

Currently I placed my orchids and African violets along the corridor facing west. During monsoon season, the rain will splatter along corridor and I will reposition my African Violets but not for the orchids. However I am always worried about my orchids getting too wet. Is my concern valid?

If your orchids are mounted, it should be alright (they'd love it better in rainy seasons)...If your orchids are potted, especially in sphagnum moss or wood shavings, you'll have to shift them though..

[longmao]

Thank you Thank you.

BTW what about those in charcoal?

[nepentheorchid]

If they are potted in charcoal, u will have to see if they dry before the next bout of rain, or else, those that prefer drier conditions like dendrobium or oncidium may rot. It is difficult to give a defenite answer but it depends on the growing conditions.

[exotic n easy]

nepentheorchid, on 14 August 2011 - 01:35 PM, said:

If they are potted in charcoal, u will have to see if they dry before the next bout of rain, or else, those that prefer drier conditions like dendrobium or oncidium may rot. It is difficult to give a defenite answer but it depends on the growing conditions.

That's right...but generally its best to keep them out of the rain--sometimes charcoal potted orchids may seem dry on top, but pretty wet in there....as a guide, its best to let orchids be dry out slightly, where you water and they will recover, rather than to have them wet and lose all their roots and even some stems to rot....

[paphioboy]

exotic n easy, on 15 August 2011 - 11:36 AM, said:

That's right...but generally its best to keep them out of the rain--sometimes charcoal potted orchids may seem dry on top, but pretty wet in there....as a guide, its best to let orchids be dry out slightly, where you water and they will recover, rather than to have them wet and lose all their roots and even some stems to rot....

True, but from my own growing experience plants are not harmed by excessive rain provided drainage and aeration are perfect. I have all the epiphytes potted in charcoal in clay pots and also on mounts, exposed to rain. I would be more cautious for the terrestrials, as soil structure can change (become compact and even muddy on the surface) under continuous heavy rain.

[Astrostar]

I wonder if it is a good idea to tie a plastic bag around the base of the plant covering the soil during heavy rainfall.