Misting: a Must (not to be Missed)
Ah, Chicago in mid-summer: hot, humid, sticky! Many orchids, especially cool growers, can suffer this time of year. Misting is an easy way to cool your plants down. Think back to when you were a child (or yesterday?), running through a sprinkler outside to cool off. Even on 90+ degree days, if a slight breeze kicked up and you were wet, it almost felt chilly! The same concept works with your plants. If it is hot outside, a light misting of water on your orchid leaves will cool them off.
If it is very hot, you can add a fan to create more air movement over the wet leaves, making it seem much cooler to the plant! If you live in a dry area of the country, heavy misting in the morning to mid-afternoon should help your plants cool off nicely. If you live in a humid area, you will want to mist lightly, because if plants are misted too heavily, they will stay wet for too long and fungus issues may result. Fans are best used in more humid environments, where you want your plants to dry off more quickly.
If your orchid growing area is inside your home, with the air conditioning operating, be careful when misting. Cold and wet is almost never a good combination when growing orchids. It would be better for your plants to turn off the air conditioning and change into your bikini/speedo before misting them (more fun, too!).
If you are growing in a bright south window or sun room, a light misting on hot, sunny days is usually helpful. Never mist if you have cloudy and cool conditions. Do mist if you are working in 100+ degree conditions in a greenhouse; not only will the plants thank you, but you may actually live through the experience.
Stay cool!
Liese
We hope that you are enjoying your summer and that you have been or will be able to get away for a bit of relaxation on vacation!
