Do Phals, Milts/Onc. Alliance benefit from being outside?

[Orchidementia]

I have a LostID Milt, NoID Phal, NoID Onc etc that are either through blooming or haven't bloomed yet. I have a shaded south porch (no yard - townhouse dweller) that gets enough sun to sunburn a fuchsia (dammit), but have some shadier areas out there, too. Because of the fuchsias, which are high water demanding plants, I have some standing water in a shallow gutter for half a day - adding a little extra humdity. I'm in the SF Bay, which has been getting 65-70ishF days and 50ish nights, 40% humidity (more or less); indoors where the orchids are is always about 63-68F (no heat or AC on). Any benefit to giving the non-flowering plants a little outside time, or best to keep them in the environment to which they are accustomed?

[jerrymeola]

They would like the outdoor time. Just keep the Phal in total shade.

The Milt and Onc would benefit from some cool breezes. They can take higher light than the Phal, but not too much they are medium light level plants, about 65% shade.

[Orchidementia]

Thank you very much! I think I will take my LostID Milt and purple NoID Phal out tonight.

This particular purple NoID Phal is one of my very first orchids, and one I nearly killed. I'm extremely pleased with myself to announce that it has roots again and the leaves look jaunty once again. Hope I don't sprain anything patting myself on the back.

[digitalgate]

even 15 minutes of direct morning sun will keep most fungus and mold away.

[Hummer344]

Hi neighbor & welcome
We must live fairly close. My cyms stay outside year around, only protected during very cold periods. They get plenty of morning sun then bright light the rest of the day. The rest of my plants, catts, onc, phals, dens, & more, go outside after the night time temps stay around 50. Generally the first of May. I bring them back in around Nov first. My back yard faces N. and I put shade cloth over my patio area where the orchids are. I do not give them any extra moisture unless it gets really hot, then I will spray them down in the after noon to cool them off. I water once a week and fert about every three weeks. The conditions here in the valley are very good for orchids and you should have lots of success. Good Luck

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by Hummer344

Hi neighbor & welcome
We must live fairly close.

I'm on the border of Scummyvale/Mountain View, so I'm not that far distance-wise; traffic-wise, only a couple of hours.

My cyms stay outside year around, only protected during very cold periods. They get plenty of morning sun then bright light the rest of the day. The rest of my plants, catts, onc, phals, dens, & more, go outside after the night time temps stay around 50. Generally the first of May. I bring them back in around Nov first. My back yard faces N. and I put shade cloth over my patio area where the orchids are. I do not give them any extra moisture unless it gets really hot, then I will spray them down in the after noon to cool them off. I water once a week and fert about every three weeks. The conditions here in the valley are very good for orchids and you should have lots of success. Good Luck

Thanks for the all the information! The weather here has been really nice - much cooler than usual for May here and I'm hoping that a little fresh air and sunlight that doesn't come through glass might help some of them bloom again. Even if it doesn't, it might just keep them happy.

Oh, one more question - I have a Epi Fantasy Valley 'Star Burst.' It looks like it might be forming new buds. Leave it inside, or treat it to the porch?

Thanks again!

[solay]

Orchidmentia, now you are making me wish I had picked up the Epi. I saw at Safeway the other day. The only reason I didn't buy it was it didn't come with a tag. They grow them outdoors in Santa Barbara and I would think it can stay outdoors in SF/Scummyvale too.

Can Catts. go out too if the low temp is above 50 degrees?

I need to clear out the living room due to guests staying over. The GH is still not ready and my husband is complaining the house is starting to look like a jungle.

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by solay

Orchidmentia, now you are making me wish I had picked up the Epi. I saw at Safeway the other day. The only reason I didn't buy it was it didn't come with a tag. They grow them outdoors in Santa Barbara and I would think it can stay outdoors in SF/Scummyvale too.

Here's a not-great pic of 'Star Burst' in bloom. In stayed in bloom for three months, and I'm pretty sure it's making new buds.

I need to clear out the living room due to guests staying over. The GH is still not ready and my husband is complaining the house is starting to look like a jungle.

You know how many people pay florist services to get their houses to look like that? Tell him to be shut up and be proud!!