In a news story : "Cooler weather at this time of the year in the Rio Grande Valley is good news for the commercial production of ... orchids.
... Yin-Tung Wang, a floriculturist at the Weslaco Center, said the warmer temperatures delay the flowering of orchids, which could affect sales next year. "Orchids need four to six weeks of temperatures below 77 degrees to start the flowering process, called spiking," Wang said. "Once they start the process, it takes about 110 days for the flowers to open, usually around late January. But with the warm weather, flowering could be delayed until late February, meaning orchids won't be ready for the Chinese New Year in late January or for Valentine's Day in mid-February." On the plus side [!!!] for Texas orchid producers, Wang said hurricane damage to Florida orchid producers will mean a tighter orchid market and higher prices. "Homestead, Florida, was hit by Hurricane Wilma, and some of the nation's largest orchid producers there suffered heavy damages," he said. "One nursery had to dump half a million pots, so supplies will be tight." The Valley is home to one commercial orchid producer, River Valley Orchids in Harlingen. Others are located in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio." source : http://www.themonitor.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=10207&Section=Rod%20Santa%20Ana *********** Regards, Viateur _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
