should oncidiums be brought indoors now

[orchids44]

I brought my Vandas last night after spending the summer outdoors. Our night temps. in this part of NC have been in the 50's the past few nights. Tonight and this week we're expecting high to mid 40's. I'm hoping the cattleyas are okay with this temperature but should I bring the Oncidiums in?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[RandomGemini]

Usually, if you're asking this question, it's time to bring them in. I would bring the cattleyas in too. They tend to be just about as temperature sensitive as the oncidiums. Most cattleyas don't like their temps to drop below about 60 degrees at night.

[Ferns Daddy]

I would bring them in, mine came in about 2 weeks ago because of the drop in temp. and the chance of a early frost.

[orchidsarefun]

oncids are a little tougher than catts. I left mine out until temps stayed in the 40's for 4-5 days. I was rewarded with a couple of spikes.

edit - obviously in a very protected area - no wind...

[WhiteRabbit]

I have Catts and Onc that stay outdoors year-round. Sheltered from weather. (Zone 9 - night temps into 30s in winter) tho daytime temps are usually a fair amount warmer.

I know it is definitely less than ideal, and some do better than others (a couple I used to leave out are coming inside soon) - but overnight temps in 50s for most shouldn't be a problem - we have overnight lows in the 50s in summer, and in winter my house is mid to lower 50s overnight. I do stay away from hot and warm-hot growers for that reason, tho.

Of course, if in doubt, bring them in! Better to be safe than sorry

[james mickelso]

My orchids are kept in an unheated GH all winter long where temps get down into the 30's most nights. 50-60 day time temps. They do fine. The secret is to water them sparingly. As long as they don't have much moisture in the media they can take the low temps. Unless it gets warm I don't water my orchids in winter much. Every 7 to 10 days or so and sometimes when it is cloudy or very cool, I may not water them for two weeks.

[Orchid Davantage]

I usually wait till it is constantly in the 40ies at night before I bring all mine inside. If it does not rain, it won't be an issue. I may have waited a bit too long this year, we had a deluge a few weeks ago (Louisville, KY). Temperatures then went back into the 70ies after that, but nights remained cool. All my plants are tilted so the water won't accumulate in the crown. They have been inside for a week now, and I see no sign of distress. One Onc should bloom shortly in fact. A Catt is on its way. I would agree moisture is the main factor. I tend to keep them inside longer in the Spring, after a Winter under lights, they are not quite as "tough" as they are in the Fall when they spent all Summer outside.

[orchids44]

Thanks James Mickelso and Orchid D.
I'll keep them outside for a bit longer. Appreciate your help

[BettyE]

I have a blooming oncidium outside, plus a bc. hanging on the fence, close to the house. They will go into the greenhouse when it gets into the upper 30's at night. I have already started their alcohol,409, water spray on their leaves. BettyE.

[Orchid Davantage]

Good job Betty, here I can never get them to bloom outside. We usuall transition from one to cool or too cool fast. One day it is still summer, and the next day, it is "rush, bring them inside".