better outside orchid?? - Orchid Board

tokidoki · #1 03-04-2008, 02:00 PM

hi all

im just wondering what u guys think about the best orchids that are suitable for outside conditions.. i currently have 2 oncidiums (well its actually my mom's lol) that are thriving outside and it seems like they are quite happy there.. theyr located in the stairs just outside our door but are in a shaded area.. they have been there for a few years and seem to be doing well... with that said, i want to start my little collection of orchids outside too next to the oncidiums.. so u guys think dendrobiums or phals would also do great?

quiltergal · #2 03-04-2008, 02:04 PM

That really depends on where you live. It says in your profile that you live in Zone 1 which is pretty far north and very cold.

tokidoki · #3 03-04-2008, 02:16 PM

well im not sure if the colorzone of the map i looked at was accurate.. but i live about 25 min away from San Francisco.. i read some where that oncidiums do well in the bay area here.. im just not sure if the others would do too? i mean, it would be great if they would..

quiltergal · #4 03-04-2008, 02:22 PM

Ah! OK if you live on the Penninsula or the east Bay then Cyms will do great outside. My mother lives in Burlingame and she has 15-20 cyms that live out on the back patio year round. They're spiking right now like crazy. Hers face east so get morning sun, and then shade in the afternoon. HTH

You're in zone 10a.

tokidoki · #5 03-04-2008, 03:00 PM

oh ok.. thanks for the info!! hehe.. yeah my mom's oncidiums are blooming and spiking like crazy!! theyv started spiking and blooming since december and until now they're growing more spikes.. they too get morning sun

but lookin at the plant, it looks like it needs to be repotted. oncidiums like more of a soil type medium right?

ipv6ready · #6 03-04-2008, 05:43 PM

From what I have learned fine to medium bark would be the standard medium.
I don't think potting soil mix should be used.

tokidoki · #7 03-04-2008, 05:55 PM

THANKS for the info

yeah i think so too that they like their medium to be a little finer than other orchid mediums.. i wonder what would happen if i pot them in medium size fir bark mixed with medium size coconut husks?