growing phals out doors

[mnguyen110]

My phal collection is grow and need to move them outside on the patio. My only concern to protecting in the winter time where it gets down around 50 to 45F. Any ideas or recommendation will be appreciated.

[RJSquirrel]

short periods of 50 is about the lower limits for phals. I had to buy a greenhouse for mine outside. Rain, hail, ice and 40 degree weather will not make your phals happy. My plants spent most of the winter in the garage only to get outside and get hammered by the elements. Beware of the elements including birds rats rodents and an unending stream of crawlie things that need identified before they are squished mercilessly.

[tim abbott]

Hi mnguyen110,

I live in Cocoa Beach, Florida & I have predominantly phals, but also catt, dendro, onc, & encyclia. I leave them out year round, I have done this for years. Temperatures have gotten into high 30s & low 40s, they are under the hammock of a schefflera tree. The temperature dip trggers the phal blooming cycle. It rains here very frequently in the summer, I use a mix of heavy bark & a little charcoal & perlite(store bought special orchid mix) & have lots of drainage, a couple are mounted on driftwood & have sphagnum. I think the air movement, high florida humidity & the light filtration from the tree is a great combination. I have never had a problem with too cold, crown rot, bugs, mold, etc.

[mnguyen110]

,QUOTE=tim abbott;571737]Hi mnguyen110,

I live in Cocoa Beach, Florida & I have predominantly phals, but also catt, dendro, onc, & encyclia. I leave them out year round, I have done this for years. Temperatures have gotten into high 30s & low 40s, they are under the hammock of a schefflera tree. The temperature dip trggers the phal blooming cycle. It rains here very frequently in the summer, I use a mix of heavy bark & a little charcoal & perlite(store bought special orchid mix) & have lots of drainage, a couple are mounted on driftwood & have sphagnum. I think the air movement, high florida humidity & the light filtration from the tree is a great combination. I have never had a problem with too cold, crown rot, bugs, mold, etc.[/QUOTE]

This great that Phals can do ok at 40F night time temp. The patio is covered so im not worried about the rain. I also grow Dens, Catts, and Onc outside inter shade cloth year round.