So right, Carol. Getting the watering right for each different type of orchid is at least half the battle.
Ken, I am in Sarasota FL. Great conditions for growing orchids outdoors most of the year, but a few cold nights in winter, and a lot of heat and humidity in summer make it still a challenge.
This year it rained a lot, especially for several days when TS Debby was here, then TS Isaac went by with heavy winds and rain as well. I had to move a lot of orchids under the overhangs of the house to keep them from staying too wet.
It's especially true of Phals that too much water and not enough air flow to dry them out between watering is trouble. I travel a lot, and most of my orchids go out to the corner of the yard under the big oak tree for my trips. I have a mist system on a timer, and they get misted every day when I'm away. But not the Phals. I'm never gone more than a week or so, and I just place the Phals where they will get good light and maybe a few drops if it rains but other than that they get no water at all when I'm away. Too little is better for them than too much, for sure.
Here's the rest of my Phal Phamily not in bloom - two of which I've had for 3 years and the variegated one is mounted on a piece of a palm boot.
