AboutOrchids

Who doesn’t love a summer vacation? Orchids sure do. Many growers move plants outdoors to take advantage of pleasant summer weather. Orchids which have been kept indoors will thrive with fresh air and invigorating rain showers. Here are a few tips to help plan an orchid summer vacation. Bon voyage!

• Move plants into a shady outdoor spot for 2 weeks. Outdoors, the plants will receive much more light than indoors, and need a period of adjustment. Even sun lovers like Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, and Vandas can burn if they’re not given time to acclimate. Phals, Paphs, and Masdevallias should stay in the shade, but you can gradually move others into brighter light.
• Most orchids will require a new watering schedule while living outdoors. With more light and air movement, they’ll dry out faster, and need more frequent soakings. Orchids which stay on the dry side, like Cattleyas, must have protection during extended rainy periods.
• Orchid growers in dry or desert climates face an extra challenge to find a humid outdoor area for their plants. If you can’t, keep them indoors where high humidity can be maintained. Take advantage of any summer rains for quick outdoor trips.
• Track the nightly minimum temperatures in your location. Warm growers like Phals and Vandas need to stay above 65°F (18°C,) and should be brought back indoors if weather forecasts call for temps below that.
• Bugs are inevitable outside, but before you reach for a toxic insecticide, consider letting beneficial insects tackle the job. Ladybugs, dragonflies, and spiders all work for free, but can’t survive deadly chemicals.
• Wind, rain, and pests can damage flowers, so many growers bring blooming plants indoors. Check for insects before plants come back inside.

Explore posts in the same categories: Growing, Watering

This entry was posted on Monday, June 18th, 2012 at 8:12 am and is filed under Growing, Watering.

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