When do you bring your orchids in?

[camille1585]

For me it depends on the orchids. My phals rarely go outside, but if they do they are the first to come in, usually when the night temps dip to the mid to high 50s. Then most of the the others go in when the minimum hits 50. The only ones that stay out after that are my Cyms, Den kingianum and other cold resting dens. Those stay outside until the temperature drops close to freezing. After that they move to a cool (50-55) sunny room.

[Orchid126]

The weather outside today here in central NJ is very cold, 51, and rainy, and the same for tomorrow. While cattleyas can take cooler temps than some orchids, cold and dry is okay, but cold and wet for a prolonged period is not. So in they came. The heat hasn't been turned on yet to give them time to adjust to the drier indoors. It will be turned on once the plants have a chance to acclimate themselves.

[Shann]

I will leave mine outside until it dips below 40 degrees. I have left them out in the upper 30's also and have not had a problem in the past. My old grow area was more protected though and I am not sure how low (temp wise) I will allow my chids to get this year as they are more exposed to the elements.

Pretty soon I will be buying some rolling racks to put them on that I will push in and out of the garage. It is my only option at this point with 200 or so chids.

HTH

Shann~

[stefpix]

I have some on my roof and I brought some in because it has been dark and rainy for 2 days at 59 F.

It is not about the temperature but it has been really a lot of rain. Will put them back outside when it gets sunny later in the week like Thurs/ Fri when it will be back to the 70s.

Probably the NYC urban area is warmer than surrounding suburban / rural areas.

Anyway I have many that are still actively growing..

Does anyone know what is the lowest that these can take:

Ansellia africana
Dendrobium biggibum
Laelia tenebrosa
Cattleya leopoldii
Encyclia bractescens

I will leave the Laelia anceps and the Dendrobium kingianum, Encyclia tampensis outside till it gets around 36 / 40 F

[Swamper]

Like many have said not all orchids are the same. Check out this vanda and what it does with cold.
Vanda coerulea in snow | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[val_and_graham]

The only orchids we place outside are Cymbidiums.

We go by the rule that when outside, the preferred daytime temperature is around 86F/30C, falling at night to around 59F/15C. We know they require a distinct drop between night and day temperatures to initiate flowering.

We bring ours inside in the Autumn, before frost occurs. We've had most success by placing them in our conservatory, giving them maximum light to encourage the bloom. When inside, we work to temperatures not falling below 8C/46F.


Bringing them back indoors is always a great time to look around the plant for snails, slugs, spidermites and other pests.