When do you bring orchids indoors?

[Connie Star]

I live in Western New England and this is the first summer I've had a set-up where I could put the 'chids outside. They went out rather late, in late June. Now I am wondering when to bring them indoors again. The nights are cooling down to upper 50s. Days at least 70s; tomorrow and the next few days are predicted to be in the high 80s low 90s.
Any advice?

[Call_Me_Bob]

it depends on the the plants. but my phals come in at around 55, but i just got lights so i wont have to worry about that soon

[johnblagg]

I always bring in plants of any sort before any heat is turned on indoors.

I am planning on bringing mine in at the latest the second week of Sept....I am working on cleaning up shelves from last year now in fact .

[Judi]

I watch the weather starting Labor Day. All my chids are in a screen porch by the house so there is a warmer micro-climate for them. Once night temperatures are regularly in the mid 50's they come in except for the Zygos and Cymbidiums which stay outside until temperatures are routinely between the high 40's to around 50. They spend the winter in a spare bedroom that is sunny but temps are around 50. Last couple of years the majority came in around the end of Sept. and the Zygos and Cyms in early Oct. But every year is different.

[trdyl]

HI Connie. I generally leave my Cattleya Alliance plants outside until the nights cool down to the low 40s.

[RJSquirrel]

we shall see how a Nooby home grower does with no humidity and low temps when it gets colder..we have mild winters here but still i had not thought if this before...My houseplants just got replaced every year after winter death..cant do that with the orchids

[RosieC]

This is my first year with any outside as well.

My Phals didn't go out at all, so don't need to worry about them, nor did the Paphs. I'm thinking of bringing all the Onc Alliance ones in about now. The temps are getting down to the low 50's regularly at night now and so they will probably come in later today as I should have time this afternoon.

The Catt is staying out because I've heard it likes to get down to the low 40's to trigger flowering.

I think my Phal type Dens (the ones that don't need a winter rest) will come in as well today.

I have a greenhouse now, which I plan to heat to arround the low 40s. My Masdas & the Dens that like cool winters will be left out there. I'm also going to move the Cym in there when the outside temps start getting down that way so it doesn't get frozen outside. Not sure yet if the Catt will move in there or come into the house.

Finally I have a Cyp which I'm not yet sure about. I've heard they like to get even colder but need to be kept dry. That might also winter in the greenhouse or possibly in the unheated garage (as it won't have leaves so won't need light by then).

[johnblagg]

rosie cyp need to get realy cold and vernalize need to be down to right at or freezing temps for a couple of months I believe

[Eyebabe]

Connie,
If you have catts, they can tolerate temperatures into the 50's and for some(not all) the 40's although I would pull my catts in before that.
Cymbidium types also should be okay into the 50's.
Oncidium types can go into the high 50's.
Most of this I gleaned from scanning OrchidWiz.
I have noticed from your posts that you also have a good number of phals. In general, they are not well tolerant of most temperatures less than 70 F. I think those are the ones you really need to watch if you have them outside.
There are definitely some other specific dendrobiums and masdevalias that can tolerate cooler temps...but I'd look them up individually.
I am 60% through getting a greenhouse up.
I have not had the "ability" to put my chids outside. Primarily due to the panic attacks and insomnia that would most certainly ensue

[Orchid126]

Here in New Jersey it's usually around the third week in September or so for the catts, depending on the night temperatures. Catts can take cooler nights than other orchids. It's always before the heat goes on, when the inside and outside temps are pretty much the same.

Some people watch the temps and bring the plants in for a night or so and then take them back out if the night temps are going to go back up. This would be ideal but physically much too much for me, so when they come in, they're in for good.