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First Summer Outdoors!

Julie Ann Blaylock

7 years ago

My orchids are spending their first summer outside! I was inspired by a friend in our neighborhood (Knoxville, TN) who has multiple plants in bloom. She swears by vacationing them outside from late spring to mid fall on her deck along the walls of her screened canopy. She emphasized indirect light but otherwise said she just neglects the heck out of them and brings them all in when night temps dip to 50.

Today I've moved my phals and one mottled paph to a plant stand on our covered front porch. I've set them in a front corner and plan to add some sheer cloth around the sides of the stand as the sun can reach the front half of the porch in spots. Was wondering how the water schedule will change? I read a few things that say do NOT let them stay out during rainstorms due to mold/fungus? Also looking for any great natural insect repellents to use? Snails seem to be the biggest issue for my other plants. Thanks!

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Comments (3)

suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)
7 years ago
My orchids went out this week and will stay there until it gets into the 40s at night. They are on an uncovered balcony and are subject to whatever the weather throws at them. I have not had any fungus or mold issues, nor any pest problems. My phals are under our balcony chairs for shade, but the rest are open to the sunshine and handle it well. I water daily when it's been hot and sunny. Today it's raining, so I won't water them until they dry out.
Julie Ann Blaylock thanked suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)
Julie Ann Blaylock
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you! I figured daily water would be needed for sunny hot weather to give them some humidity. That bit about keeping them in during a summer shower seemed asinine. I'm hoping they enjoy it!
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I definitely would wait until its a little bit older, but definitely try it outside, they are definitely one of the hardiest palms but a big problem is too much moisture so I will probably put a plastic bowl over mine during the winter. Thanks Keith! I dont give my oleander any major protection. Last winter I just protected it about 4-5 nights when temperatures were below 20F, but the winter before I kept it protected much of the winter since it was plain cold outside. I protect it like my palms, some lights, a frost cloth, and a garbage bin. It worked well when it was younger, but last year I was only able to give it a frost cloth on cold nights since it was too big for the garbage bin. They are easy to protect since you can tie it up and make it very narrow, I think they are easier to protect than most palms. They look really messed up coming out of their protection, but all the leaves pop back up with a little sun. -Alex
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Kauaiguy
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Orchids DO like some sunshine or else they won't bloom. Sometimes people will have orchids where the leaves are dark green but never blooms. Well, that's because they're not getting enough light.

What they like best is a canopy where the sun can peek in. As the sun light moves, the orchids will get the benefit of the sun but not long enough for it to burn the leaves. So, in a sense, it gets light, then shade, light then shade ..etc.

Most of my orchids (cattleyas) are under a canopy of palms leaves (Areka Palms), and every once in a while, I would have to cut down a growth to let more light (and air) in. My Den's are in pots at the side of my front door entrance and gets a lot of light and sun during the day, and they're doing fine.

Different types of orchids can handle sun better than others: As an example, Dendrobiums, Vandas, can handle more sun than a Phalaenopsis. And Phalaenopsis can handle more sun than Cattleya's.

But the bottom line is that they ALL need some sun for them to bloom.

No orchids like to have their feet wet, but they all love humidity! A tray full of gravel with some water under works wonders!

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