My Outdoor Grow Area- Summer 2015

[78Terp]

Last year was a near total failure growing outside. Way too much exposure (sunburned most of them) and no ability to change if I wanted any tomatoes. So I pulled way back and had just a few outside, on the deck where I ended up growing again this year. It is on the north side of a wall so it gets blocked in the afternoon but faces east so morning sun is available. But deeper back into the back of the deck. Also, I hung a few under the eve, closest to the house. I still need to work on a shade for those for next season. As only a little sunburn has been acquired this year except for the orchid that should have spiked and didn't, got sun burned pretty badly as a warning to others! I counted 49 outside today. And all are growing well. This will probably be where I grow outside every year unless I give up growing any food crops and then I can shade the little garden area.

[k_andreev]

They all look healthy Harvey

[78Terp]

I get a perfect temp difference of 25 F to 30 F between day and night. Lows in the mid-50's to mid-60's and highs of 85 F to 90 F. They all seem to love it. Phals spike in short order. I have 6 phal in spike now (several got that way outside) and 6 more outside that I am hoping spike soon. My Den jenkinsii (labeled aggregatum) got slightly sunburned last year (I didn't winter rest it last year because of that) and so far this year, it has avoided burning and seems on the grow. And I have a Den nobile hybrid that has thrown one spike while outside (it bloomed late in the winter, earlier this year) and will be open in a few days. Some of the white spots on the leaves are hail stone marks.

[chingjervis]

They all look fine and loving the outdoor. Keep it up

[kdennis14]

Great growing Harvey.

[JDT]

Harvey,
Nice set-up for your outdoor area, you learn to work with the area you have and it looks like you have things under control.

I could use some of your weather for a few days it has been HOT and HUMID for almost 2 months and some 60 degree weather would be great, I could sit on the back porcgh for awhile and not get soaking wet from the sweat!

[zainal abidin]

Well done Harvey very nice setup.

[Vonny]

My growing area is very similar to this ... we had a very serious cyclone go through this area (Central Queensland, Australia) in February which wiped out all of my bananas so my verandah has more direct morning sunlight than before ... all of my orchids love it, and I have more growth and blooms than ever before but most of my Phals have had their leaves burnt... I guess that I am going to have to create some new solutions now that spring is here and the hot summer will be close behind!

[78Terp]

Today, I decided to bring everyone inside except Neofinetia and the dendrobiums headed to winters rest. Overnight Lows already in the mid to low 50's F. And into the upper 40's by the end of the week.

The local weather has stated this morning that with the coming El Nino, Colorado could get the most snow in 50 years.

[JDT]

I wish for the 50's at night but that is still a long way off before that happens, they are forecasting the hottest September in years here, we finally have had a couple of days in the high 80's but that is only because of the overcast skies, the snow you can keep.