Be careful that your plants get to dry out some. There is no need to water if your plants are outside. Fungus can attack your plants if left wet for too long. If you only have a few, you might consider moving them to cover and letting them dry out. The rain will also wash away fertilizer, fungicide, and insecticide so be ready to reapply as soon as things dry out. Remember to always read the label for application amounts and frequency.
Repotting your plants can still be done. If you see new growth and new roots, repot. If in flower, wait until it’s done, then go for it. Now is also a good time to mount plants because the rainy season is coming which helps the plants to establish themselves on the mount easier.
Watch out for slugs and snails! They love all the water and come out at night to have dinner. Flower buds, new roots and shoots are their favorite. Lightly sprinkle slug bait all around - it doesn’t take a lot. Get the kind that is safe to use around pets if you have them. Again, always read the label for application rates and frequency.
Dividing Vandas can be done now as long as you have enough roots (3 or more) to allow the plant to survive the separation from the mother plant. If it has lost a lot of lower leaves you can also trim it up the stem to the new roots and reset it in a Vanda basket or mount it on a tree.
Phalaenopsis can also be repotted this month. Bark mix or moss – the choice is yours, but remember they have different watering schedules. You don’t want to over water either, but moss will usually stay wet longer than bark.
Trimming trees and bushes that are shading your plants too much should be done this month if you can. If you do trim, be careful not to burn your plants. They may need some time to acclimatize to the new amount of sun light.
Primary source: Dr. Martin Motes
