10 years ago I was thinking of growing them in Palm Springs but the move never happened. I learned that a swamp cooler will only lower the temperature by about 10F which on a 120F day does not do much good. I don't know if that is true, it just is what I worked with as I made my plans. Air conditioners of course give a dry cool air, not what orchids like. My plan was a misting system, a swamp cooler AND an air conditioner. The swamp cooler was going to kick in at 85F, the air conditioner at 90F. I also planned on a heater as it gets cold there. There was going to be a fairly large RO system, maybe 150 gallon per day, as if one uses tap water for the misting, the plants will get grey leaves from the residual calcium.

We had a second house there in the mid nineties which sported 2 air conditioners. If both were used, the electricity bill then was over $1,000. I have no idea how much the cooling effort would cost today.

Good luck, Nick

Forgot to mention that I planned to grow in a greenhouse as temperatures are too extreme in both directions in that blessed land to grow them outside.

Nick

thanks for the info nick, given the extreme temperatures it sounds to me like this could get very expensive in a hurry. do you know of any orchid societies in the area? i know there's one in redlands. thanks, tom

Redlands, San Bernadino are the only ones I have heard off. Doesn't get near as hot as where you are. It can definitely be done, the question is the cost. Check with them, maybe they have members from Palm Springs.

Nick

I just looked at the temps for Palm Springs. We had one day this last summer where the temperature got to 113F. One temp above 100F was enough for this orchid grower, though there was not all that much damage where enough shade was provided.
I'd imagine that the local orchid growers have ways to grow orchids in such extreme conditions.

I would think keeping them inside and misting them is the best bet.

Also watch other plants. Unless they are made for the area - full sun does not mean full sun for you. I'm in Texas and quickly learned that if it says full sun, but can grow in Northern climates, that means it should be planted in part shade. Southern sun is much more intense.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Growing them inside is an obvious solution. Certain hardy ones, Cymbidiums, Dendrobium speciosum etc will do well outside in a sheltered area with misting and frequent watering. When I was thinking of growing there I already had a fairly large collection of various plants and was contemplating an environment for an existing collection.

If you go out there and start from scratch, I'm sure suitable plants can be found. With one word, instead of creating conditions for previously acquired plants, get only plants suitable for the conditions. I'm sure you'll be fine.

The other way is for the plants to tell you which ones are suitable. Once a year check for signs of life. If they survive get more of the same. The ones that don't like it there will not be shy to let you know.

Nick

I used to be President of that society in Redlands but I lived west of Redlands. We often got above 100F and used evaporative coolers, they work very well. If you want more info about growing in the Palm Springs environment, look up the orchid society of Arizona, lots of info on their website.

I agree about using R/O or De-ionized water for misting, I also highly recommend it for general watering.

Are you thinking of having a greenhouse?

thanks for the tip on arizona i'll certainly research that. don't know how our hoa feels about a green house. maybe in the garage under lights.