Date: Wed, 01 Oct 1997 16:16:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: HTolen6066@aol.com
Subject: [16393] Re:  OLD - Volume [1128]

Tough Orchids

Hi All,

These are some of the orchids that are very hardy here in South West. We
live in Chula Vista, CA, pop. 135,000 or so today, and we are about 8
miles south of San Diego, 2 miles from the San Diego Bay and 6 miles to
the Mexico border, hot and dry!

Schomburgkia, and their hybrids, most any types will take full sun if
eased into it slowly over a year or so, otherwise the leaves will burn.


Isochillus linearis and major, like a good deal of light and flower much
better for it.

Oncidium sphacelatum, seems to grow anywhere but flowers better if in the
sun or greenhouse where it can be kept warm.

Cyrtopodium punctatum, full sun, I move it under shade cloth if a frost
advisory is given but hasn't been one here now for the last four years!

Reed stem Epidendrums, there are literally thousands of these plants in
this area in 30 inch tubs out in the full sun all year long, many colors.

Epidendrum ciliare, a very hardy grower that will take a lot of strong
full sun.  Move it to protection when it blooms.

Ponea striata, full early morning sun and it seems to thrive.

Cattleya maxima, enjoys early morning sun, cold snaps down to 32 degrees F
and up to 105 degrees F.   I keep it up near the best light in hanging
pots outside all year.

For shadier areas,

Encyclia cochleata is a good one, usually flowers all summer.

Lemboglossum bictoniense another that flowers for a long time.

Paphs species and primary crosses.

Laelia's, anceps, gouldiana, autumnalis, albida

Lycaste's, aromatica, deppei, fimbriata

Oncidium's, tigrina, reichenheimii, and hybrids like Sweet Sugar types.

Sobralia's all do well under up to 80% shade cloth in big tubs of well
drained mix.  Huge flowers in June/July.

All of these take a daily sprinkle here because the humidity is usually in
the 20's or 30's.

I have listed the names you will find in the books, not new ones.  All of
these are growing at our place.  You can add of course Cymbidiums which
are extremely hardy, usually the new hobbyists first orchid in this area.
We do not grow them here anymore, took up too much room.

Yes, as you can see below, we do have a monthly newsletter/catalog, but it
is too big for me to Email to you.  I have separate lists of Equitants and
Phalaenopsis I can Email, but it's better to get the whole newsletter.  I
like to share others experiences with orchids with you, so it's not all
catalog.

Harry Tolen, Supreme Commander, Chula Orchids - Send snail mail address
for a free copy of our monthy newsletter/catalog.  October will feature
Equitant seedlings and divisions, and some great Phals.

Chula Orchids, 230 Chula Vista Street, Chula Vista, CA  91910-1825
Send your snail mail address or Email us at HTolen6066@aol.com for a free
issue of our monthly newsletter/catalog.