Melissa, I use Aluminet even in my empty greenhouse over the Summer, the greenhouse would otherwise heat up the house as it is part of it. I always install the Aluminet on the inside of the greenhouse, and it brings down the temperature ca 10 -15 degr. , it makes a big difference.

Happily my Habenaria medusa starts opening.

And Habenaria rhodocheila still look pretty
edited to correct - this is Habenaria erichmichaelii, not rhodocheila and it should be fragrant

Wow! What interesting blooms, Ursula!

The Habenaria medusa is gorgeous, and look at all the stems you have coming along, Ursula. You've obviously done everything right for that plant, well done!

I have a 6 x 10ft. Aluminet 'tarp' for the west facing wall of my pool cage that I put up in May. It shades the orchids just enough through the summer from the brutal afternoon sun (when we get it, like today!) I bought it already hemmed, taped and with good bronze grommets, as you say a great investment!

I was amazed by the Habenaria medusa.

Neat blooms, aren't they?

All right ! You guys are forcing me to rethink the Aluminet. I have a full roll of woven shade cloth, plus a tarp, but it blocks too much light, and it still gets too hot in the OS. Now I'm off to look for portable swamp coolers. I'm tellin ya, this tiny little orchid shack is getting to be more expensive every day!
Got six orchids repotted today. Probably that many more tomorrow, then I can tend to my other potted plants that need same. I keep thinking I need at least 1/2 acre to get a break. In this tiny garden, I spend all of my time moving pots, pruning, and watering. If I had more land, no lawn, I wouldn't have to have everything in pots. O.K. just dreaming....

Carol, we checked for small swamp coolers last month when I was in Salt Lake. Amazon had a decent looking one for under $100

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OKHY2S/

Thanks, Elaine. I'll check it out later.

Good morning y'all, I've frequented other forums for years, and catch up when I have troubles with a plant. I looked up lycastes because my L. aromatica older PB are dying too soon and spreading inward toward new growth. The Orchid Source/Orchid Forum covered Lycastes in a discussion back in 2011, it relates that Lycastes are virus carriers and usually does not affect the plant itself but should be grown away from other orchids! This explains why so many whom I've known through the years that do grow them only grow paph's with them. Maybe I wasn't listening to well, or observing enough. I have grown them with my catts, and recently all on the porch together now for the last 2 years. They can get big, so I am giving away my L aromatica, I have 1 left that looks robust, I found takers for the rest of my very healthy Cal Orchid crosses.
Please tree mail with mailing address.

Hmmm, I didn't know that.
I usually have them sitting away from more "sunny" Orchids, they are by nature (sort of) a bit isolated on lower shelves for me or some kept together with succulents during the Winter.

My Brassavola ( or Rhynchovola) David Sander finally popped the first bloom of the season. I took it inside to snap some pictures.

What an interesting plant! Love the featheriness! Quite stunning!

Oh my! I never tire of seeing those beautiful David Sander blooms. Yours has a little more pink than mine had at the outset. Lovely!

I have a new spike of Lc. Renate open today, but the sun is blazing on it right now, so I will wait to get a picture until later.

Thanks Tara and Elaine. I like the pink very much.

Sound good, Elaine. Renate must be a happy camper.

That's a beauty,Ursula! Mine is still struggling just to survive.

Don't despair, Carol. Mine puts on maybe 2 or 3 new pb's each year and really doesn't look great most of the time.

David Sander still tops my list of favorites. Beautiful bloom, Ursula.

Jim

Thanks!
And - Jim god to have you back!

Ken, I'm waiting for you to repost your Potinara list here.

Jim

I misunderstood and thought it was being done. Sorry.

I was going to give you a few days to "get over" your vacation, Jim. If you are like me, you need a rest when you get home. Whistling When you are ready, here are what I have:

1. Pot. Island Peach 'Tangerine Dream'
2. Pot. Exotic's Frontier 'Valley Isle' AM/AOS
3. Pot. Love Call 'Nora'
4. Pot. Hawaiian Thrill 'Paradise'
5. Pot. Tokyo Bay 'Victory'
6. Pot. Dick Smith 'Paradise'
7. Pot. Exotic Dream 'Orange Passion'
8. Pot. Dal's Success 'Valley Isle II'

I already see that my Pot. 'Cinnamon Stick' is now an Rlc. and you already gave me the name change for the Pot. James Clarkson (now Rlc. Crimson Sunrise), so the above plants (I think) are all the Pot. I have.

Thanks, Jim.

Latest name changes:

Rhyncattleanthe [Rth.] Island Peach
Rhyncholaeliocattleya [Rlc.] Exotic's Frontier
Rhyncholaeliocattleya [Rlc.] Love Call
Rhyncholaeliocattleya [Rlc.] Hawaiian Thrill
Rhyncholaeliocattleya [Rlc.] Tokyo Bay
Rhyncholaeliocattleya [Rlc.] Dick Smith
Rhyncholaeliocattleya [Rlc.] Exotic Dream
Rhyncattleanthe [Rth.] Dal's Success

Jim