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Low light non-humidity loving orchids

Discussion in 'Everything Else Orchid' started by Aceetobe, Jan 13, 2010.

  1. Jan 13, 2010 #1
    Aceetobe

    Aceetobe Member

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    Location:
    San Diego
    I'm getting to that place where most of my GH and outdoor high light growing areas are now covered with plants.

    So what I need now is plants that can take on the lowish end of the light scale. Say 500-1500 FCs.

    For the outdoor area I need some more rugged (aka temperature tolerant plants). Our humidity in San Diego is usually pretty decent, except every once in a while we get crackling days (Santa Anas) I have plants like Coelia bella and macrostachys that seem to be doing well in the place - so that would be a for example what grows well here.

    For my greenhouse, I still don't have a fogger - and so my humidity varies unfortunately wildly based on watering, etc. I try to spray down the floor every day, but it still doesn't keep it humid all day long. Anyways, my greenhouse is a warm house (65 min), so take that fwiw.

    My water is "cleaned" so that isn't an issue.
     
  2. Jan 13, 2010 #2
    Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

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    Location:
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    do you like Cymbidiums? What about Epidendrums? Lots of stuff there that you could grow outside in San Diego.
     
  3. Jan 13, 2010 #3
    Aceetobe

    Aceetobe Member

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    Location:
    San Diego
    I do have cymbidiums and epis. A lot of the epis are high light, but a lot are not - Epidendrum embreei is one of my favorites, and is a low lighter. We can get away with a lot of stuff, which is why I ask. Next time I go to Andys, I want a good idea of what I want otherwise I'll be broke.

    If I say "ohhh...I don't know...something that needs shade and lives outside" = death to my wallet.

    I guess I'm being a little vague. I'm looking for a bit more exotic types. I think Coelia bella and Cyrtochilum macranthum are kind of the ideal orchids I have for this area - huge reward and low light.

    I think maybe I should leave the wallet at home, and piggyback on someones trip to Andys, and then make a list.
     
  4. Jan 13, 2010 #4
    epiphyte

    epiphyte Member

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    That amount of light is pretty low...but maybe one or two from these...

    Aerangis, Cochlioda, Gomesa crispa, Mystacidium braybonae, Sarcochilus, Stelis tubata
     
  5. May 30, 2017 #5
    Monet's Garden

    Monet's Garden Member

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    Have you tried using humidity trays in the green house? I have been using these and misting the orchids daily. That seems to assist with humidity.
     
  6. May 30, 2017 #6
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    Invest $35 in a lawn irrigation timer, put an appropriate device on the hose for a flat spray or mist, and set it to run for 15 minutes daily, at whatever time is appropriate. That'll take help care of the humidity issue without the fogger. Not perfect, but better than letting your plants suffer.
    Neither of those is an effective way of truly raising the humidity, as there's just not enough surface area. Please read this.
     
  7. May 30, 2017 #7
    Monet's Garden

    Monet's Garden Member

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    Hmm interesting, for some reason I have seen an improvement in my plants since I've been doing this. They are in a fairly small greenhouse and I spray the top of the glass as well. Could be a conincidence!