deers, do they eat orchids?

[ahazz]

Hi,
I've been growing orchids for about a year and this is the first time I've put my orchids outside for the summer. I live in N.Y. near a wooded area. The last few nights deer have gotten into my garden and enjoyed my hard work. Now I'm worried about my orchids being eaten. In the past deer have come close to the house at night. Does anyone know if deer will eat orchids?

[orchidsarefun]

see link - they do !

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ares-deer.html

[WhiteRabbit]

I certainly expect they would. They're not toxic, and might be tasty ...

[fotofashion]

Snails sure do like them. Ask me how I know.
Beverly A.

[samarak]

Deer certainly eat the native terrestrial orchids here. I don't know whether they'd eat tropical epiphytes - dogs, feral cats, groundhogs, snakes, birds, etc., we get them all in the greenhouse now and then, but thank goodness no deer. Local gardeners say they'll eat anything if they're hungry enough, so if you have lots of more appealing foliage around maybe they won't look at the orchid tasting menu.

Steve

[slc]

Don't risk it. Protect the orchids from the deer. I have plants that deer supposedly don't like to eat. This is true, they don't like to eat them, but that doesn't stop the young ones from sampling them. You know how youngsters are, they taste everything. I was just clearing up some chewed-up, spat-out sedum leaves from the garden just a few days ago. The little spotty fawns are so cute, but I could just strangle 'em sometimes.

[fotofashion]

And just when I thought that snails were the worst problem with my orchids being nibbled on....DH tells me that yesterday he saw a deer out by the mailbox. Now that is some 300' from the orchids but I live in a heavily wooded area so it is no surprise that we have deer but I have never seen one close to the house.
At least we have had decent rains this year and there is plenty of browse for the deer (apparently) (I hope).
I would assume that those of you who are concerned might need to employ a dog, perhaps?
Beverly A.

[Carpe Diem]

As far as I know, deer will eat anything, especially the little ones. A DNR guy explained to me, that the taste buds of the fawns are not quite developed yet, so they'll eat anything and everything. The adults are more selective. I keep my Orchids inside all year and as for the flowers and shrubs, I just sigh and tell myself that deer have to eat too.

[ahazz]

Thanks everyone. I put a portable radio in my garden to play at nightto protect what is left of my vegetables. But Iwill bring my orchids up on the padio at night. Everyone has toldme to put my orchids outside for the summer because they like it and will grow better.

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by ahazz

Thanks everyone. I put a portable radio in my garden to play at nightto protect what is left of my vegetables. But Iwill bring my orchids up on the padio at night. Everyone has toldme to put my orchids outside for the summer because they like it and will grow better.

Or you could get a dog or two! I have a Mastiff and Great Dane and I don't have a problem with the wildlife eating my orchids (with the exception of snails). I know lots of people in my orchid society have an issue with squirrels; I have a ton around my yard, but none in it!