Hi everyone, im from n.c...can i grow outside?

[Francesca P.]

Hello, I'm in zone 7 and was wondering if I could grow outside all year? Any help or advice you can offer would be great.

[tucker85]

No, you'll need to protect your orchids in the winter. Phals and vandas don't like temperatures below the mid 50's. Most Cattleyas can go down almost to the low 40's before damage occurs. If you do some research I'm sure you can find one or two species that can grow in zone 7 but most of the popular orchids are tropical in nature.

[gnathaniel]

Francesca, there are definitely some terrestrial species you could have outside year-round, like Cypripediums and Bletillas; you might also be able to grow some Pleiones.

Where in NC are you? I'm in what used to be zone 5b/6a (7a on the new map) and this past winter was so mild (basically an 8b winter) that I had a few tropical epiphytes outside most of the time, only bringing them in when temps dipped below freezing overnight.

Microclimates around your house may enable you to grow a surprising number of things that wouldn't otherwise be hardy, for example a sunny south-facing brick or stone wall can radiate back enough heat at night to raise local temps 5-10° F. Leeward (usually downhill) sides of buildings can offer frost-protection as frost condensation seems to flow downhill as it forms. Some species like Laelia anceps, Dendrobium moniliforme, Neofinetia falcata, and Vanda coerulea are from climates that normally experience cold winters, so they and their hybrids may be able to survive light freezes outside in appropriate spots. I'd speculate you could find some good matches for your climate (highs and lows) in mid-altitude Brazilian and Mexican species as well as plants native to S. Australia.

Really the only way to know for sure is to experiment a little with plants that you don't mind damaging/losing. Plants that you get now and grow well outside all summer with gradual introduction to colder temps will probably fare better than something introduced suddenly to the cold. Most orchids do better if dry when cold, though there may be some exceptions like high-altitude Pleurothallids, Dendrobiums, and Bulbophyllums, none of which would probably like your outdoor summer temps. Many hardy plants that will survive extreme cold under a snow blanket will die if unprotected or if hit by ice or frost, so winter precipitation is important too.

Another user, epiphyte78/Carlos, has experimented a lot with naturalizing orchids in Southern California and has put up some great posts detailing his experiences with this. Checking out his old posts may give you some good leads. I hope this helps and good luck!

--Nat

[WhiteRabbit]

Hi Francesca

There are ground orchids that could be grown outdoors. There are some hardy (even some native) Cypripediums - I believe we have a few members growing some

Another hardy terrestrial type are Bletillas. Hardy Bletillas



Tucker is right that most typically grown by hobbyist orchids are usually tropical or sub-tropical. Many can be grown indoors on windowsills tho. Or outside while temperatures permit, and then inside when it doesn't

[Island Girl]

I live in NC, I have my plants outside, on an upper screened porch, mostly Phals that r happy... But I don't leave them out during winter, they go n my sunroom

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

As said above there are some that could grow outside, I have some hardy Cyps here that stay out all year. However most of the types you generally see in stores would not be able to stay out all year.

[Francesca P.]

Hello, and everyone thank you so much. You have given me food for thought, I now know I have options. I haven't made any purchases yet, I'm still pondering the many choices. Thank you all again!

[Orchid Whisperer]

There are some vandas that are really cold tolerant.

Search Google for the words Vanda Italy snow for an amazing picture.

Event a plant like that, I would offer some winter protection to. Possibly growing it outdoors, but I would mostly try to get it into some protection (maybe a garage) during a cold spell.

[Island Girl]

If you would let us kno what u end up getting, that can survive outside year-round in NC.... I would love to kno which plants will work for this area cause I was kinda curious about that myself! Good Luck!

What part of NC do u live in? I live about an hour outside of Charlotte, in Salisbury