Hi Susan, Regarding Zygos, I will limit my observations to my plants. I grow Zygo species only. I don't think that rot is a problem with more mature growth in Zygos. My experience has been that water getting into the crown of a very young growth is especially dangerous when there is inadequate air movement. Rot is likely. I don't concern myself too much with the plants left outdoors in the rain. Rot happens. Zygopetalum sends out far greater numbers of new growths than other orchids, Cattleya e.g. When the plants are indoors, I water early in the morning. I have a fan "on", 24/7. Air movement isn't an issue. The spotting in Zygo leaves has been a source of comment from "experts" for many years. From the reading that I have done over the years, I think that the source of spotting is a naturally occurring biological agent which is not harmful to the plants. I hesitate to call the spotting a problem. I have noticed that the spotting becomes more pronounced in weakened, darkly colored plants. I have also noticed that the spotting is reduced in strong plants with light green colored leaves. Regardless of whether a plant is strong or weak, spotting is commonly found in all. I have purchased plants bred within the USA. I have imported a few from Brasil. My observations are the same regardless of the source. Can Zygos be found without the spotting? I don't know. It doesn't concern me. If the plant is vigorous and the flowers are numerous, bold and colorful, then I don't care! I'd like to add an additional note about Zygos. I have repeatedly seen it written that Zygos flower once per year. Yes, in some years that is true. I have also had exceptional years with frequent flowering from the same plant/same pot, almost non-stop for months. The flowering is often stimulated by cooler temps at a particular stage of growth. When the conditions are optimal, flowering happens! My brief anecdotes represent past performance which is not a guarantee of future results. Future flowering will fluctuate. Of course, what happens in Md may not happen elsewhere. :-) --Stitz--

rwiegand - I found your question ‘Why resurrect it?’ Well - for the simple reason that high winds still exist, as well as the need for outdoor ceiling fans. The discussion is as valid as it was 8 years ago. Like Amy, we have outdoor Minka Aire, (a Slipstream ) and they have held up well for 5 years. The 65 inch version moves a lot of air. Our central Texas house is up on a ridge, and has a nice breeze about 80% of the time, but during summer they’ve been quite useful as a relief to the heat, as well as helping keep mosquitos off.

I’ve commented a few times already. They were a huge disappointment. The latches break so easy and I KNOW how to be careful. The product they tell you to use on them makes them smeary does not work. I clean with distilled water and a dab of Dawn (what else?😀) and rinse with distilled water. I have 12, 4-paneled windows, so it is a huge job to do it right. The only upside is They are a step above purely screened-in windows, and cheaper to buy I suppose.

When I grew in NY I left my Catts outside when temps dropped to the 40's at night but warmed up to the 50-60's day. I watered any which were dry in the morning. Vandas and Phals. hard cane dendros came inside at night. Oncids can take cool temps but you need to be careful watering them if the daytime is not warm. I grew mine on a deck off my kitchen. When I worried about the night temps, I moved them in and put them back outside in the morning. Lot of work but the orchids benefit from the sunshine and breezes. When the temps drop low the orchids are not going to take up the water. They shut down. Leaving them out at night is risky. Best to prepare and start bringing them inside for the winter. Jane