Can I place them outside now?

[dra]

When can I place my orchids outside? It is now May and day temps of high 60's and nightime temps in the high 40's-low 50's. My cymbidiums are already outside on the covered deck. I have started placing some outside in hanging baskets. frost risk is low and getting lower.

[zuri]

The question of whether it's okay to place them outside depends on what kind of orchids you have. Check your culture sheets. I'm in Michigan right now for business and I think it's rather cold here! I wouldn't put most of my orchids outside yet if I lived here, but again, it depends on what kind of orchids you have.

[brookn]

Hi, it does depend on what types you have. If you could let us know what you want to put out that would help. My Cyms are outside already also. My Dends will go out as soon as the nights stay above 55F just to be on the safe side. I am probably going to put my kingianums out today, and a couple of my cooler growing plants.

[dra]

just have phals / paphs/ oncidiums/catts/darwinia. cyms outside already.

[brookn]

Some of your Catts. might be able to go out, but I always wait for stable temps above 55F-60F, it also depends on the type of Catt., some like cooler temps, some don't. I don't usually put Phals/Paphs out, but am thinking about it this year. My Oncs go out when temps are stable.

[PhalPal]

I would wait just a little bit longer, at least until the nightime temps are above 60F.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by dra

When can I place my orchids outside?

It depends on what kind of orchids you have and what their recommended day-night temperature ranges are.

Originally Posted by dra

It is now May and day temps of high 60's and nightime temps in the high 40's-low 50's. My cymbidiums are already outside on the covered deck.

Most Cymbidiums are quite cold tolerant. Most people in Australia grow them outdoors all year round. Here in Melbourne our winter night time temps are around 10C (50F) but it can get as cold as 5-8C (40-46F).

For most Intermediate growing orchids, 40-50F nights is still too cold.

Look at the culture sheets for your various kinds of orchids and look at the recommended minimum temps for them and if outside is below those minimum temps, keep them indoors for a while yet.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by brookn

I am probably going to put my kingianums out today, and a couple of my cooler growing plants.

Hi brookn, Most of use here in Australia grow our kingianums outdoors year round. Here in Melbourne, where we can get winter night time temps in the 5-10C range (40-50F) the kingianums do fine. You probably only need protect them form the freezing or below temp range.

[brookn]

Kevin, we have had temps bouncing around a lot lately from 40-55F with tons of rain (think monsoon season lol), and since the kingies have been inside this winter I did not want to shock their poor systems lol. They were also waiting on me to repot them, cause the little boogers have outgrown their pots. Once I am sure temps stay above 55F even with the torrential downpours, I kick them out lol. I left the Cyms out in it, because they are sheltered on the porch, but the kingies have to go out to the less protected plant table. Even with the shelter, the Cyms are showing signs they have had enough cold and wet weather.

[mehitabel]

This time of year, I keep my orchids on carts that can be wheeled in and out. That way, they can go outside during the day and be wheeled inside for protection at night or during really terrible storms.

It takes less than 10 minutes to wheel the carts in or out.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by brookn

Kevin, we have had temps bouncing around a lot lately from 40-55F with tons of rain (think monsoon season lol), and since the kingies have been inside this winter I did not want to shock their poor systems lol.

Ah yes, quite right. The sudden change could be shocking though kingies are pretty tough.

[Rocinante]

I live in NYC and I choose to be cautious and wait a week to 10 days before I start putting stuff outside.

[dra]

thanks all for the advice. But night time temps above 60 or at least mid 50-'s is okay for them all? I think that they would benefit from the evening thunderstorms. Of course they are all under a covered deck/porch and enclosed by 3 walls.

[PhalPal]

Some orchids can take it that cool and some can't. I have some Catts growing outdoors all year and they are alive, but won't bloom. I don't think they have appreciated our cold winter nights (for us that is usually 40's to 50'sF). I brought a few of them inside and put them under lights in the house and they have suddenly sprung to life!!! I also have a few Catts outside and they bloom for me twice a year regardless of the cold, so it even depends on the specific orchid. You really need to read up on their culture sheets for each type of orchid you have. If you are in doubt, there is no harm in just waiting until it is warmer. A week or two really won't make much of a difference, no hurry in getting them outside.

[grandmapenguin]

Thank you dra for asking this question. I went right out and brought my Phal, Oncidium, and Cattleya in. Like several of you our temperatures are still bouncing even down to 48 lows in the coming days.

I think I will move them in and out for the next two weeks or so. It was too warm during the day in the greenhouse so I hung them in the trees.

Thanks again for all your ideas.
Terry