All,

This probably won't interest the experienced growers in the group, but it
may help some of our newer members. With Hurricane Dennis threatening, there
are a few precautions we can take to protect our orchids.

Obviously, if you have the space and ability, take your plants inside if a
bad storm approaches. But if you can't do that, at least prepare them. Make
them as heavy as you can; place them at the lowest possible point, on the
ground if necessary but preferably on concrete; place in the most protected
possible area; spray with a fungicide before the storm arrives to get a jump
on that little problem; and plan to get them safely out of the sun as soon
as the storm passes. Down here, after our storms last year, many orchids
which survived the 'canes just fine were lost afterward due to sunburn and
pestilence. Once the worst is over, keep a sharp eye for bugs, and spray if
you can.

If you have a shade house, take down the shade cloth or plastic. You will
need the cover for your orchids after the storm; this also will help protect
the structure. Plastic and shade cloth can contribute to structural damage
from wind.

I know this is redundant for lots of you, but if it helps one newbie then it
was worth writing. Having said that, let's all hope for a hurricane free
season.

Diana