I'm bringing them back inside.....

[mimigirl]

I used to have all of my orchids inside on a shelf in front of my southeast window. Blooming was hit or miss. I put them outside last summer and really didn't see anything spectacular. But, I maybe should have left them out in the fall for a little longer. This spring I put them out again. But you know what? Summer temps here average about 95*. To get lots of light some are too wet, yes even in bark and clay. In summer it is typical to rain every day. So I am bringing them back in! Maybe I will put them out for fall and spring, but not for summer. I feel I have better control over them if they are where I see them constantly: in front of my southeast and western windows. Do any of you put them outside for any of the seasons? Are you using growlights in addition to natural light? Any special equipment?

[estación seca]

It's too hot here for the summer. I do have some out fall, winter and spring, but most come back in for a few nights if frost threatens.

You could build a polycarbonate cover for your outdoor orchids to keep the rain off them.

[Ray]

What kinds of orchids?

[Leafmite]

I am not sure what you grow but there are types of orchids that would thrive in those conditions. We had a summer that was in the nineties nearly the entire summer and I had the best growth ever. I grow in red lava rock and basket pots so if we get rain every day, the roots are fine. If you grow pleuros or some of the other cooler growers, yes, they need to be grown indoors. Cattleyas, Phal-type Dendrobiums, many Angraecums, Vandas (including the falcata), Phals, and Oncidiums should do very well in your outdoor conditions. The Phals might need to be hung side-ways to help with draining the water off of the leaves. I find that, with my red lava rock and plenty of rain, I need to fertilize more often and add extra calcium and Iron (Ironite) as the rain flushes the medium. With higher temperatures and drier conditions, I use less of my MSU formula and add Ironite, Calcium and Epsom salts (so as not to burn the roots--not a problem if you are getting plenty of rain).

[mimigirl]

I dont have a large collection and the ones I have don't do much. Some have never bloomed at all. I have lost several already this year. There is a variety: LC, Enc, Dend (that have been banished&#128561, Oncid, etc. i know some are heat tolerant but I worried all last summer and still lost a few. And I still didnt get any more to bloom. My Vanda will remain in my tree. And I think the slacker phals which are in total shade, unless they start to look stressed. Our show is in a couple of weeks and I am checking the info on purchasing others. I am using DynaGro foliage and am thinking of making a change. DynaGro Orchid? Info on phosphorus % is conflicting.

[My Green Pets]

I had to bring mine in last week because we had a horrible hail storm and it got cold and rainy again! Tomorrow they will go back outside, hopefully no more cold snaps!!

[mimigirl]

Now I am confused.....again.....as usual. Lol. I thought that since this was a windowsill growing forum that you guys raised yours indoors. By windowsill do you just mean that you don't raise them in a GH?

[Leafmite]

I had to bring mine in because we had snow and frost. I put them out again yesterday and just covered them (43'F--night temperatures). Most of my orchids are pretty tough.

How are you losing the orchids? If it is the roots, try using red lava rock for the Cattleyas and Encyclias. They love plenty of water but need plenty of air around their roots. With all the rain, bark mixes decompose more quickly, become compacted, and snuff the roots. Only re-pot, though, if you have new growth and before the roots develop. If you are having fungus issues, add two teaspoons of powdered milk to your watering can and give them a dose once a week (only outside--use Cal Mag indoors). I find that this prevents most fungus issues. It is an old time gardening trick.

Have your orchids that are not blooming bloomed previously? I buy quite a few seedlings and it can take four or five years before they reach maturity.

Good luck! I remember when I first started growing orchids and I know it can take some time to figure out the best way to grow them in one's conditions.

[mimigirl]

It seems to be from all of the rain even though they are on the edge of the patio on a shelf. Here they get the most light/sun, but do get misted on heavily when it rains. I don't repot before I put them out since it is before new growth. So many are in bark in clay containers. So be windowsill growing, you mean that you are not using a GH but do put them outdoors? So many people are posting very nice results indoors. Regarding blooming age, this year i will only purchase blooming, in spike or just finished blooming so that I have a reference point. I am getting a little discouraged.

[estación seca]

With all your rain, the bark probably stays too wet. I would try Leafmite's suggestion of volcanic cinders or perhaps LECA clay balls. Or, on mounts! Plants on mounts do fine with lots of rain.

You can get cinders at garden centers. It's sold as landscaping material.

And definitely get advice from your local growers.