Outdoor growing over the summer.

[prc11]

Last May I received my first bunch of orchids that required me to learn about growing orchids. They were also my first non-phal orchids (now I have over 50 orchids in total). I have gone a long way from there expanding my collection everyday. I remember last June, when I first went to my local orchid society, many members asked me if I grew any of my orchids outside. I replied by saying "I can do that in Central Pennsylvania?". I learned that I can over the summer. I never put an orchid outside last summer because I never knew how.


Today gave most of us a glimpse of spring and I started think about summer and placing some of my orchids outside. However, I still do not know much about doing so. For those who have more experience growing outside over the summer I would like to ask a few questions.

1. What types of orchids can I grow outside in Central Pennsylvania?

2. Where do you put most of your orchids in the yard?

3. If I would place an orchid in a tree to provide shade, how would I go about doing so?

4. What media should I use and how often should I water them?

5. Should I bring the orchids in if there is a 90 degree day or 40 degree night? Do I need to acclimate the orchids, or can I just place them outside after frost.

6. Is there anything I need to know that I didn't already mention.

Fell free to answer any of the questions you can. Thank You

[prc11]

One more question

What is you experience growing outside, would you recommend it?

[BobInBonita]

WOW - what a list.

Before I answer any - it depends on how well you understand your orchids. If you don't feel you understand their needs, work on that first. The first year I tried growing outdoors, I had MAJOR problems with bugs and mold and moisture control. If you know what your plants need, it is sort of like growing inside, but with more pests and less control.

1 You can grow anything that your temps allow. It will vary through the seasons.

2. Mine are hanging it trees and large bushes and in racks. Depending on the species, they are in varying exposures to light.

3. I hang almost everything in wooden baskets. Fewer pest get to them. Metal racks are good for same reason. Wood seems to allow more snails access.

4. Media and watering varies to give the orchid the rate of drying it needs. It depends on the type of orchid, the amount of rain in your area (and how exposed they are), the rate of drying (humidity and airflow), and the metabolism (temperature and light). You are less in control outdoors, and have to adjust to what nature is doing.

5. I never bring mine in unless temps below 40 are expected. At 40 I cover overnight with tarps. If 35 is predicted I would add a few light bulbs under the tarps to provide a little heat. NEVER give them sudden drastic changes, always let them acclimate.

6. Read EVERYTHING in the outdoor gardening forum.

Bonus question - It can be bumpy, but I love it. Here's a link to pictures from last year outdoors. I'm getting some blooms now and will update as time permits.

Growing in trees and bushes before the new racking was complete (they were getting "bowed" from the weight:
My Old Growing area - Orchid Board Galleries

The new overhead racking:
New Garden Racking - Orchid Board Galleries

[Lorraine]

Hopefully you'll get some more info from other northerners but since I used to live in Phila I know what the climate is like. I now live in South florida but can give you some insight to outdoor growing.

I keep all my chids outside unless it gets below 40. In the summer it gets in the 90's and stays like that for weeks/months on end. The humidity is high like you get too. I water my mounted chids every morning and the potted ones depending on the medium 2- 3 x a week. I have some vandas growing directly in the sun but the rest are protected by either screening or the dappled light hanging in the trees. They all get bright light. East is best and late afternoon west works also. (Not all vandas can take the full mid day sun. Mine are the Mokara variety.)

You can hang in a tree by placing a clay pot in a basket , attach a hanger and find a great spot on a branch. If it seems too hign there are wire "S" hooks avaliable but you can make them yourself. I use the wire from HD used for drop celings, cut the length needed and bend each end.

Picture being in the midday sun without suntan lotion on..you would burn..same with the orchids. Phals need bright light but full sun on them and they are goners. They love the shade. Dens do well with the dapples light also. Catts can take more sun coming through the branches but let them adjust slowly. As far as medium goes it depends on what you like to use and what your chids prefer.

Hope this helps. By the way...I grew hibiscus & bouganvillia up there. May they went on the back deck all summer and wintered from Oct in the house. First they all got "DeBugged"!! I had tropicals blooming in the middle of winter inside. So I would do the same with your chids. I seem to remember someone's pictures awhile back up that way having their collection on a porch all summer.

[Connie Star]

The first summer that I was growing orchids, 2009, I left them all inside, but last summer, 2010 I put them outside. I had no good trees to hang them from so my husband built me a "shade table" that was made from rough cut oak (I should mention that he is a tree surgeon) with supports above it for 75% shade cloth (Home Depot). The main problem I had was that I got them outside in late June, so they didn't get a lot of time to acclimate before it got really hot. Then, as August progressed and the sun got lower in the sky, the overhang was not long enough and the sun hit some directly, burning them. All in all a satisfying experience, and this coming summer I plant to make the overhang wider.
Here's some pictures.

[Orchid126]

1. You can grow most orchids outside, provided you give them the correct light. Phals can grow on a shaded patio or porch with bright light but no sun, cattleyas enjoy six hours or so of good early morning light, then dappled sunlight for the rest of the day. You will need to know the light requirements of the orchids you grow.

2. The orchid pots are slipped into empty hanging baskets, plastic or wooden, and hung from the branches of the bushes, wherever the light is good for them. Don't allow the pots to touch the ground as creepy crawlies find them with alarming speed.

3. The medium you should use is what's best for the orchid, if they like to stay moist one type, if they like to dry out, another, etc.

4. You should water them a bit more often outdoors than you do when they are indoors as the breeze will dry them out quicker. However, if it's been raining, you won't have to.

5. There is no need to bring the orchids in if the temps go sky high (here in NJ they can break 100). Just keep the orchids hydrated and they'll do fine.

6. Night temps will depend on the type of orchid. Phals no lower than 50-55. Usually the plants come in just before the heat will go on to get them acclimated to the dryness indoors. However, some dens and some orchids can stay out until it gets cold. You will have to research the plants you have.

7. By all means, acclimate the orchids, not only for the temps, but for the sunlight. They are usually put out for a couple of hours in the beginning, and then the length of time increases every few days. If the days are nice and you want to go through the work, they can be put out and brought in even though there might be frost to take advantage of the nice weather.

8. A couple of times during the season the plants are treated with an insecticide of some sort, both the leaves and the medium to prevent an infestation, even if it's just soapy water. Two weeks before they're due in, they're treated with a systemic, once a week for two weeks. Insects like to hitch a ride into the nice warmth indoors and increase with alarming rapidity.

Is all this worth it? You bet. They grow so well and so strong that it keeps them healthy through the dull, dry winter days. Try it, you'll like it.