Kicking the orchids outdoors for summer

[piping plover]

My orchids ( mostly cattleyas) have been kicked outdoors for the summer. They are happier and we finally got some room back in our house. My palms have also gone outside. I wait until the Japanese red maple and huge sycamore tree are leafing out to provide the right mix of dappled sunlight. They get good air movement when the afternoon seabreeze kicks in from the Bay. Usually mid May in my area.

Photos of the some of the orchids and the shade trees.

[smweaver]

The photos are a little small, which makes it hard to see a lot. But it sounds like you've got a great area for them. And it's a great feeling to get them out of the house, isn't it, if only temporarily?

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by smweaver

The photos are a little small, which makes it hard to see a lot. But it sounds like you've got a great area for them. And it's a great feeling to get them out of the house, isn't it, if only temporarily?

Thank you. Yes, it’s a good feeling to give them the best available growing conditions. I uploaded a few photos, hopefully larger and closer.

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by piping plover

Yes, it’s a good feeling to give them the best available growing conditions.

Well, yeah, that too I guess. I was thinking more along the lines of the feeling you might get from kicking the kids out of the house and sending them to a 3-month summer camp far, far away--somewhere like Uzbekistan, for example.

[Leafmite]

It is a good feeling to have all the orchids and other plants outside.

[Dulcinea]

I’m really happy to get them outside. They live in a sunny shed with lights all winter. They seem to thrive outside in the summer. It’s been rotten weather here in Michigan lows in the 40’s high of 95° then back with to the 40’s. I’ll move them all out soon. They are in a walk-in “summer house” made of wire, in mottled light, on shelves and hanging. They will stay out until some time in September when temps go down to the lower 50’s.

[DeaC]

Ditto for my Vandas, Stanhopeas and some Bulbos.

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by DeaC

Ditto for my Vandas, Stanhopeas and some Bulbos.

I added a stanhopea to my collection and one year in —I really like it. Hopefully I get blooms this year!

[Leafmite]

The weather is crazy here, too, but, fortunately, it is still in the fifties ('F) at night so they can be out. I was more worried about the tropical water lily than the other tropical plants/orchids. :0

[Dulcinea]

I know how you feel! I have a lot of tropical plants outside now and noticed a temp coming up of 43°. I hope the weather predictions are wrong. Carrying the. In and out is a pain! The cold nights and warm days mean my sun shed will get too hot if the door isn’t open so that’s just one more thing to think about.