I need info!
 

I was wondering if someone could tell me what orchid would do well outside in Kansas. It's very humid in the summer with a heat index of around 106F, and very cold in the winter with snow and an average of 40F in the day, and -6F is the lowest that I have seen it get. Is there anything that would grow here outdoors? My co-worker would like to know, and I am lacking in that department.

I don't know what would grow in the cold extremes. I doubt anything will.

Laelia anceps withstand temperature extemes: from up to 100 with high humidity and bright (but not direct) light, to in the 20's.

Great! I'll let him know. Thank you!

Laelia superbiens
Maxillaria tenuifolia
Epidendrum nocturnum
Bifrenaria spp.

I can recommend more...

Thanks so much Philip!!!

Well anything could grow outside.
If you have a greenhouse.
:lol:

I believe these are recommendations for warm season growing- I don't think these would be able to winter outside in Kansas.


I bet Philip could give you a long list of Cypripediums and Bletillas that could overwinter though.

I just wanted some info for my co-worker. I don't think he is all that serious about it anymore. But I'm thinking about getting something I can sit outside for the summer.

I assumed that when you were giving the low end temperature range that it'd include winter temperatures too.

If I'm wrong, then knowing winter range temperatures would help.

Btw, the only small flowered orchid out of the list I gave you is Max tenuifolia. All the other ones are fairly good sized.

Hey, Liz.

Kinda a heads up, the plants I listed has taken temperatures down to 36 F outdoors without problems. No greenhouses involved. I don't own one. Of course they're a bit protected because they're on the porch. ;)