When do you bring your orchids in?

[thomas_k]

Hi all- I was just trying to figure out when it's a good time to bring the 'chids in. This is my first winter with orchids, and every website says something different on when to bring them inside. So my question is: When do you bring your orchids in?

[johnblagg]

I bring mine in by the estimated time I will start heating the house ...I try for two weeks befor that day ...for me that is mid sept

[CTB]

when it hits fifty at night is a good time to bring them in, some can take lower temps but you need to treat them accordingly just like the amount of water, fertilizer or light you try to provide for the different types.

[Gin]

I brought in the Vandas and others that don't like cool about a week ago . the others came in today one is still out the Dendrobium kingianum, it will take cold ..No cold no blooms .

[Donald]

Here in Massachusetts all but the dendrobiums are brought in when the temps at night steadily stay at 40 degrees.

[lepanthes89]

I grow mostly in./cool orchids, so consistently 50;s at night is a good sign to start the indoor growing area.!
At the same time, I dont want to waste all that cool,night temps,as most of my plants thrive in it.!
Spikes on my Restrepias,Isochillus ,Guarinanthe,etc.

[Paul Mc]

According to my research, it depends what type of orchid you have. Phal's can take lower extremes of 50's, along with Phauis'. Oncidiums and most of their relatives (brass., onc., etc...) can take into the lower 40's. Cymbidiums can generally go until the mid 30's and be alright. But truly, it depends upon the kind (phal, cymbidium, etc...) and specific species. The more precise nformation you have on the species and where that originates (Taiwain, Japan, Chili, etc...) the better you will be at determining what temperature range it can grow from. If you don't have that specific of information, playing it safe is always smart.

[Call_Me_Bob]

i brought my phals in the other night. it got down to 46. i left my laelia and my dendrobiums out. but i will bring them in when it starts to get cooler, right now its kind of staying at 46 minimum

[johnblagg]

Ok it is not simply how much cold the plant can Handle that is the only factor in this decision in my experiance.

you also have to consider the change you are going to subject the plant to in the move from outdoors to indoors.Is it going to go from lows of 50 at night to lows of 70 indoors suddenly ....
Is it 50 during the day and you have the heat oninside and you decide to bring them inside to a temp ot 70 inside ?

The sudden change is not good for most plants I know, and lots of regular house plants will gladly drop every leaf for you in appreciation for this kind of treatment so I am assuming Orchids wont be much happier with sudden drastic changes either..

I move mine inside when the temperatures are faily consistant yet and heat has not became necessary inside yet ....al late as possible but before heat has to come on is my target which for me was mid Sept

[Call_Me_Bob]

well i havent started heating the house. so thats a good thing, and thank you for that information, something to think about