If i put the orchids ouside for first time.....

[tarev]

Our temps here are now high too going into triple digits and very dry, very low humidity so I am giving morning showers for my orchids. But I grow them in a screened growcamp so there is constant airflow. They get shade from our house from 10 am, then full sun up to about 1pm then shade again from the canopy of the city trees.

So far, I think my orchids are enjoying it, especially when they get their morning showers, giving them something to cool down before the heat of the afternoon ensues..and that shade is a big plus factor. Even my regular plants enjoy the shade, the sun is just too hot and intense during summer. Everything dries up here quite fast, so I do not worry about overwatering during this warm season. So now I am understanding just how much growing these plants do in this warmer conditions..seems to enjoy that much watering, since they dry fast due to the sun, air flow and temps. Sadly no rain here...we need it badly, but no rain in sight..I think we will have them in November during Fall.

So, I also have a fountain running beside the orchids, for some much needed humidity.

I know there are racoons here, but they do not show up a lot, I am more concerned if there are grasshoppers, or snails or slugs. I have put snail/slug bait on the orchids and so far the screen is protecting the plants from the grasshoppers.

My Phals and Paphs remain indoors though, I do not bring them out here. The Oncidiums, Dens, Zygo, Miltassia, Cattleya, Maxillaria are in the growcamp, while my Vanda hangs by the fountain. The mini-cymbidiums are on posts by the fence, it is much tougher takes full sun and shade nicely, as long as I water it often too.
This is how my orchids are this summer.

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by tarev

Our temps here are now high too going into triple digits and very dry, very low humidity so I am giving morning showers for my orchids. But I grow them in a screened growcamp so there is constant airflow. They get shade from our house from 10 am, then full sun up to about 1pm then shade again from the canopy of the city trees.

So far, I think my orchids are enjoying it, especially when they get their morning showers, giving them something to cool down before the heat of the afternoon ensues..and that shade is a big plus factor. Even my regular plants enjoy the shade, the sun is just too hot and intense during summer. Everything dries up here quite fast, so I do not worry about overwatering during this warm season. So now I am understanding just how much growing these plants do in this warmer conditions..seems to enjoy that much watering, since they dry fast due to the sun, air flow and temps. Sadly no rain here...we need it badly, but no rain in sight..I think we will have them in November during Fall.

So, I also have a fountain running beside the orchids, for some much needed humidity.

I know there are racoons here, but they do not show up a lot, I am more concerned if there are grasshoppers, or snails or slugs. I have put snail/slug bait on the orchids and so far the screen is protecting the plants from the grasshoppers.

My Phals and Paphs remain indoors though, I do not bring them out here. The Oncidiums, Dens, Zygo, Miltassia, Cattleya, Maxillaria are in the growcamp, while my Vanda hangs by the fountain. The mini-cymbidiums are on posts by the fence, it is much tougher takes full sun and shade nicely, as long as I water it often too.
This is how my orchids are this summer.

Attachment 100409 Attachment 100410

Attachment 100411

About how many can you fit in there and where did you get that?

Thanks for sharing!

[mimigirl]

See you guys can feel my pain. Please see the pic of my nemesis! I know outside will have its benefits but, didnt i buy windowsill orchids? They are in a south window and my catt. blooms so isnt that enough light for the others? Someone suggested a bird cage or dog crate covered in screen to avoid the bugs. I m afraid about judging watering with them outside. I put my onc. out yesterday facing east on top shelf with no actual sun. I think until the fall these are the only ones i will place out. Its 10 am here and already 85 degress. I live in new orleans, so imagine around 1pm!

[WhiteRabbit]

There's no need to put them outside if they're doing fine on windowsills. I have many orchids that grow in windows year-round.

[tarev]

Originally Posted by lotis146

About how many can you fit in there and where did you get that?

Thanks for sharing!

I got my growcamp in 2012 when our local Orchard Supply Hardware Store had a sale. I knew it's usual price was about 350 to 450 but during the sale, with additional discount it came down to around $95.00. It is intended really for planting vegetables, but I just needed something to help safely protect the orchids outdoors during the warm months, and something not too flimsy since it gets quite windy here too. Right now I have about 30 plants there. Just enough for my small collection. I guess I can fit more if I choose smaller orchids, or find a better way to stagger their arrangement inside.

I see it available online, various sellers carrying it..but sadly price is high..I wanted to get another one..but cannot find that good deal again..oh well.

[lotis146]

WoW, that's a great deal!! Good find.

WhiteRabbit: It's hard to not be tempted by all the tales of super happy Orchids after being left outside. The thought of putting them outside and their being happier is a good one but then again there's a lot of variables to juggle. I do however still wonder about putting them in the rain. Did it once last year when I first learned that was good for them but didn't know anything about crown rot. That didn't become an issue for me but I also wasn't paying as much attention then and didn't know as much so I can't say whether or not they were any happier!

[Daethen]

I built a small shade house and am using Bayer complete to ward off the nasties. Getting TONS of new growth and spikes.

[tarev]

Today is another sizzling hot day here...so I gave the 'chids another early morning shower..normally I would give a couple days interval but we are in heat wave mode once more..I think we will hit 106F later ugh!

Indeed a lot of variables when you put them outdoors lotis just have to adjust at times..and be watchful.

I was like a mother hen yesterday, checking the temp inside the growcamp.

[My Green Pets]

The Ohio Valley has experienced a cool, cloudy past few weeks. Love it, and the orchids are in no danger of overheating or sunburn. Perfect orchid weather!

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by tarev

Today is another sizzling hot day here...so I gave the 'chids another early morning shower..normally I would give a couple days interval but we are in heat wave mode once more..I think we will hit 106F later ugh!

Indeed a lot of variables when you put them outdoors lotis just have to adjust at times..and be watchful.

I was like a mother hen yesterday, checking the temp inside the growcamp.

Wow, that's hot! I hear ya though as I have left several outside for oh two nights now after repotting them and finding a Mealy on old spike of Wilsonara. I cut it off and sprayed those three, left them out to dry and decided they ought to stay out all night. Then today sprayed all the Paphs after watering them (was their time) and decided they should spend the day AND NIGHT out too. Though I am considering bringing them in tonight. Low of 56, imagine that!

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

The Ohio Valley has experiencing a cool, cloudy past few weeks. Love it, and the orchids are in no danger of overheating or sunburn. Perfect orchid weather!

It's been nice and warm/cool here too!! Loving it really. The cooler nights have enabled me to open windows and cool the house off better than my A/C is, pretty sure my Orchids appreciate this as it can easily stay in the upper 70s inside all day. As i said above the lot currently outside (small group) is mostly out there because they've been sprayed with Natria and left to dry. From this little experience I'm thinking I'll just put small groups out from time to time. I'm wondering if Natria keeps bugs away at all after its been sprayed or if it only controls bugs already present...hmmm...

Good luck to all the outdoor Orchids!