Great information Paul, I will be watching my own plants. Love your seedlings, especially the pink ones.

Tulips on the south and west sides of my house bloom 2 weeks earlier than the ones on the east and north. Cold air drains into the valley below us, giving them frost when we have none.

Micro climate other then the South or North ones can also be made on purpose by a gardener. For example, the use of shade cloth is also micro climate engineering. The shade of a huge tree or protection by its canopy is also micro climate change. I suppose I did not find a exhaustive discussion on micro climate engineering that I was expecting but then this is some thing that should be discussed in a thread with every one giving inputs as to how they in their capacity are doing micro climate engineering in their own gardens. Only then can knowledge be accumulated and a exhaustive article written.
Regards,
Arif.

Here in Florida, I have orchids such as Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedalums that like to remain cooler in summer than the climate generally allows. I keep them close to the outside of the glass patio doors so that the cool from the a/c that comes through the glass keeps them cooler in summer, and warmer in winter. Amongst my orchid growing friends I'm the only one who has had fairly good success with Phals here. It's an artificially moderated microclimate that is good for several other plants, too. Wish I had more patio doors!

When we have cold nights in winter, we create microclimates by covering tender plants with frost cloth. It traps some of the heat rising from the soil, to keep the plants from freezing or getting frost burnt.

Great advice!

I have covered my porch with a mat of water reeds which changes the micro climate under it. Reeds are half inch thick with 1/8th inch gap for free circulation of air in summer and I grow these under it.


All are shade lovers to some extent or the other and all don't like the 45c ambient temperatures that prevail here.

This is the kind of shade it provides mimicking the upper canopy of a forest. Can this be called micro climate engineering?
Regards,
Arif.

I would call it micro climate engineering.....

Paul, is that a Dracena in your avatar, how much light is it getting? Beautiful colour is it in the sun or shade?

Under this Clerodendron and behind the fence the area is under quite a lot of shade, cool and moist all the time. Over there I have my Ferns hidden. I will take a photograph some time. Orchid's I can't lay my hands on, they are not available but if I get involved in giving them intensive care or babysitting what about my other plants plus the power bill .
Regards,
Arif.

It is Dracaena Cherry Sensation....growing in a large green house/ atrium at a nursery..

45 C would be about 115 F. Wow! What humidity is normal for your beautiful microclimate?

Microclimates can also be created by making frost dams, berms, trenches and walls

Ambient humidity in summers is normally about 16% and in Monsoons can go up to 100% but in that spot where I have my ferns it is normally 60 to 80% depends if I have sprayed the vine on top with water which also helps in cooling down that portion further. I am thinking of putting up screens of coir which when moist should further improve the micro climate. Then lets see if I can grow Sedums and Semps there, my final aim actually for this climate engineering. Ferns are just experimental to check if I am being able to achieve my goal.
Regards,
Arif.

I hope you succeed. Coir screens sound like a good idea. Do you have any small water features, or a pond? Be sure to let us know how your ideas work.

Mary, from an aquarium fish shop a person can get small submersible pumps for terrariums. It throws up a small jet of water, I was thinking of using that to raise the humidity further. It is not for proper fountains, just small enough to service terrariums even though there are various sizes. From the same shop a person can get 2/8inch air tubing for airstones and small toys, that tube is also in my mind to channel water on to the screens.
Just now I am stuck with the cold and the fact that I have to rip out my Roses and put new ones down before they die. I bought the replacement roses cut straight out from the beds and now the tension , prune the grapes and other vines plus the fruit trees. Waiting for frost. The spirit is willing but the body lacks.
Regards,
Arif.