Leaving orchids outside?

[jesscorine]

I have moved my orchids outside and back in a few times in the past couple weeks. I make sure it doesn't get below 60. I saw a post to watch for bugs and sun, etc. I have noticed the nats like my potting medium, is that normal? I have seen them indoors as well, since I have windows open when it's nice outside. Is that smart practice? I have them on my deep porch, so they get daylight, but ZERO direct sun. I have one catt, 2 drend and the rest are phals. Thanks!

[orchidsarefun]

you are doing the right thing...........my orchids love it outside and the bonus for me is that I also get free watering when it rains.

[jesscorine]

My mom leaves hers out all summer under shade trees in Ohio, regardless of temps/weather. She's had them since the 70s! All winter they live in a basement room that has 2 windows. I'm new to the hobby so I couldn't imagine "forgetting about them for a couple weeks" like she does lol

---------- Post added at 09:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 PM ----------

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

you are doing the right thing...........my orchids love it outside and the bonus for me is that I also get free watering when it rains.

I will always try to remember to put them in the rain...I have a deep porch!

I will be moving in July, if I don't have good shade, what are some things I could use for shade? hopefully multi-taskers, not just a greenhouse

[aaronsaxton]

I have about 120 Orchids that go outside and are in a totally open area with shade cloth - warmer months only.

A few days here and there below 60 will not hurt them at all - I would not worry.

The benefit of fresh air, good sunlight and rain water is a great advantage. Alas the bugs will get into your orchids and colonies of mites will probably settle in.

Nothing they are not used to in nature, but you will need to do bug control, I call it bug control because total bug elimination is near impossible once they are in their pots.

Neem Oil will become a very good friend of yours, and physan which I use when there are long spells of high heat and lots of rain to prevent rot setting in.

[jesscorine]

Originally Posted by aaronsaxton

I have about 120 Orchids that go outside and are in a totally open area with shade cloth - warmer months only.

A few days here and there below 60 will not hurt them at all - I would not worry.

The benefit of fresh air, good sunlight and rain water is a great advantage. Alas the bugs will get into your orchids and colonies of mites will probably settle in.

Nothing they are not used to in nature, but you will need to do bug control, I call it bug control because total bug elimination is near impossible once they are in their pots.

Neem Oil will become a very good friend of yours, and physan which I use when there are long spells of high heat and lots of rain to prevent rot setting in.

thanks! I will work on aquiring your suggestions. Neem oil for the bug "control" and physan for fungal purposes?

[cbuchman]

I too summer mine outside. I segregate the orchids based on the temp tolerance, and then based on the NIGHT temperatures I phase them in outdoors. Once outside I separate them again based on the light requirements. I've got about half my collection (110 plants) outside starting yesterday. I use metal mesh trays to hold the numerous small pots. They are kitchen drawer separators from The Container Store.

I'm in N. New Jersey and we had frost on Monday night !!!!

I put the orchids on my cement patio which is shaded by large trees. So great air movement and only very early morning sun. When it gets hot here in mid summer, I "water" the cement patio to get evaporation cooling.

I put my monopedials on the bottom shelf of a tea trolley that I build a plexiglass cover for so that they don't get rained on directly and get crown rot. The top shelf also acts as further shading. I also just installed a rain barrel so I can use rain water when there is no rain.

I am now holding myself back from moving plants outdoors too soon. They love the outdoors!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you want to grow orchids outdoors in your part of the country all year round, there's good news.

You can grow Cypripediums. There are other frost hardy orchids too, and I believe many Dactylorhiza are frost hardy.

[The Orchid Boy]

I'd love to put my orchids outside but the weather here is just a little too crazy for my liking. On May 2nd it snowed and on May 14 and 15 it got up to 106F. Yesterday we had winds up to 50 mph. The wind never stops blowing here, except when it get up to 115F! Nebraska is said to have the craziest, fastest changing weather...

[Corsetière]

You guys are making me want to move mine outside. I am just a little worried about animals eating them though. We a ground hog that apparently has taken up residence in out backyard he seems to really enjoy munching on our hostas.

[cbuchman]

Originally Posted by Corsetière

You guys are making me want to move mine outside. I am just a little worried about animals eating them though. We a ground hog that apparently has taken up residence in out backyard he seems to really enjoy munching on our hostas.

I don't have a problem since mine are on benches. I occasionally have chipmunks that decides all that nice bark would make a good sleeping place. Then I place little spikes in the pot to "discourage" them.

I would not put them on the ground regardless - it would be an open invitation to slugs and snails for one thing.