Stanhopea tigrina 'The Predator'

[thespookyasparagus]

I know, I know... and all the plants do just fine. I may try summering some of the outside in Santa Barbara this year. I just find that CA weather has too many temp swings for my comfort level and I don't have to worry about them in a controlled greenhouse setting. But that's personal preference and what works well for me. I'm very aware that the plants are capable of surviving, even thriving, under those swings- I'm the one who gets nervous about it!

[Roberta]

One thing about outdoor (temperate climate like coastal southern California) growing... many orchids do amazingly well. But the key is that they acclimate. Moving between GH and outside and back doesn't let that process happen. When I acquire greenhouse-grown plants in the fall and winter that I know can handle winter chill, I baby them in the GH until spring. Then I put them outside to stay, when nights get consistently above 50 deg F (10 deg C) or so. Then by the next fall, they're ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at them.