Questions about orchids outside
 

Good afternoon, everyone!

As the title suggests, I am curious about having orchids outside during the summertime? My husband and I have finally gotten ourselves into a nice townhouse (yay no more apartment!) to which we will be moving in the beginning of May. The end of May/early June is when the weather starts consistently being super nice outside, and this area is wicked humid, which the orchids would probably enjoy.

My question is this: Our townhouse faces to the northeast. So I know at least for phals, they'd probably be happy, but I also have an oncidium and some cattleyas, which..I don't think that's enough sunshine for them (and thus they'd probably end up staying inside in the window with the lights I've had them under for winter)?

Also, there is a shared tree out front (I believe it's a bradford pear that is half in my yard and half in my neighbor's yard) that I could hang them in, would that be too much shade? Enough? Not enough? Other than that one tree, there isn't any shade. That said, with the house facing northeast, the sun isn't that intense in the am and it's going to be shady up front for the rest of the day anyway.

So I guess my question is: can any of my orchids live outside during the summer, if so which types? Or should I just keep them inside?

I just figured that if any of them CAN enjoy the heat and humidity and airflow, they should, lol.

Thanks in advance!

You may hang the orchid plants under the tree or probably make a tiered table stand. Putting the plants outdoors is a big difference since the warmth and humidity is a big factor and the air flow. You may think it is merely east facing but you can still burn your leaves from 11am to 3pm in direct sun especially in the height of summer. For now the sun may not be that scorching yet....but remember the day is longer and the angle of the sun will be different in the summer solstice.

I actually put my orchids outside on the side that faces mostly north and just a little east. The cattleyas get plenty of morning light and then, when the sun is too intense, they have the shade. At the height of summer, they get more light due to the earth's tilt and then gradually get less as the earth once more tilts in the other direction.
When you put orchids outside, gradually introduce them to the light so the leaves don't burn. I've made that mistake a few times when I've been in a hurry.
Good luck!

I'm sure you don't want to put them out yet, with the horrible winter you've been having. I have no experience with northern climates but I grow everything outside in Florida. My guess is that the cattleyas and oncidiums would do well outside if they could get an hour or two of direct light in the morning and then bright shade the rest of the time. You can put phals in any shady area but they can take some early morning sun also. The pear tree might be too much shade, I'm not sure. I think you're right that the air movement, humidity and also the rain water will be good for them. But there will also be some new challenges like bugs, snails, birds and maybe other critters. If your orchids will be getting rain water, make sure that you're using a fertilizer that contains calcium and magnesium. Some fertilizers don't have them. Good luck.

As for hanging them in the tree, try to figure out how much light passes through the leaves first before hanging anything in it. :)

---------- Post added at 03:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:33 PM ----------

By the way, congratulations on your new digs!

Do you think maybe having them near the window inside to acclimate after we move would help ease them in? And then maybe put them out like under a tree at first and then move them gradually out into the sunshine? What do you keep them in, are there baskets or? We don't really have much of a yard, just kind of a brick patio with the shared tree and then some bushes under the windows, lol. I thought about putting them on a cute little outdoor table or something, and possibly hanging the phals in the tree.

I have these plastic shelves that pull apart so they are like small tables and I just set them up each summer and put the orchids on them. I hang a few from the porch roof, too with either wire or metal hangers.
To introduce them to the light, I first put all my plants on the porch and after a few days, move them to the edge. Then I put them out on the shelves.

I don't have a porch, unfortunately, lol. It's a stock image, but I've attached an image of the front of the house to kind of give an idea of what I mean a little bit better (it's the one with the white & brick). I have a small patio area to the right of the front door, and in front of the little garden shed off to the left. I think there's a small garden area under that bay window but I can't remember.

I was just explaining the general process of deep shade to less shade. It looks as though you could put them under the tree in the beginning as it is a tall, full one which would yield nice shade. I'm accustomed to our fruit trees which are kept pruned short and open for easy spraying.
It looks like a nice little yard. Good luck! :)

Lol, thanks! I know you were explaining, I was more hoping to just see if anyone could suggest how to do so without a porch :P I'd love to have a porch (and we will someday, haha), then I'd hang them out there all summer...xD!! I was hoping the tree would be enough :)