Putting phals outside in summer time??

[Pokey49]

I am still learning my way with orchids. I have several phals that are done blooming and have been repotted. We get temps here in summer of 90-100 with RH of 40% or less. Can I put them out on the north side of my home on the patio where they will be in the shade, only getting filtered sunlight in the a.m. along with my cymbidiums??

Paul

[tarev]

I do not grow my Phals outside and we also get that 90F to 100F and higher temps during summer. I have seen my regular plants get cooked with those high temps..and pretty much low light Phals will easily suffer. They like it bearably warm..I guess up to the mid 80's and any higher I think is not recommendable.

If you will grow them with Cymbidiums, maybe it may work, but make sure the Phals are shaded more. Cyms need more bright light than the Phals.

[Pokey49]

the cyms are getting morning sun is all, and the phals will get no direct sun where they are sitting outside. I'll keep an eye on them. If they start to look unhappy I will move them back inside

[MattWoelfsen]

Phalaenopsis are from SE Asia from the Philippines to Indonesia to Indochina. It gets very warm there, so Phalaenopsis would love the heat and the humidity. I do not know your weather in Oregon, but I think a summer outside would be fine. If there are day time temperatures that go over 90*F, you should water your Phal so that it gets cooling evaporation. As you say, watch your plant, give it plenty of water and adjust as necessary. I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana--with the exception of Masdevallia, all my orchids have been outside now for the past fortnight, and they are growing new roots, leaves, and some of them are starting to spike.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Two summers ago, my Phals and other orchids tolerated up to 107 F with no problem. If you can provide adequate shade (much less light than Cymbidiums), and can look after them regularly while they are outdoors, temperature should not be a problem.

You may need to hose down the area near the Phals to boost your humidity a bit. 40% is lower than optimal.

[tarev]

In the Philippines, where I am originally from, yes we do get the 90F there, but humidity is high like 60% and higher, and we get rainshowers on and off, so the plants tolerate the heat. Typical low temp is 68F in the mountains and on lowland areas at 78F.

Usually the growers are located near the mountains, where it is cool in the mornings and goes warm, then it rains..etc. In the wild, the orchids will be safely tucked under the canopy of huge tropical leaves.

Those huge tropical leaves are sometimes the size of golf umbrellas, so that is how much shade they can get.