Growing orchids outside

[jadenson2000]

I am making a list of orchid species (particularly Cattleya relatives) that grow well outside in California, Florida, and on the Gulf Coast. Please share your successes. I will post a complete list in the near future.

[parklandlinda]

Hi from South Florida,

All my orchids are outside--some on the patio and some hanigng in a large grapefruit tree. The vandas in the tree grow the best.

I just starting to take better care of all of my orchids. Up to now, the phals have not done well; however, they flower even if they have no leaves!

I just repotted all the phals into clay with a soilless medium. The roots were rotting in the original medium which had mostly moss. From what I have learned fromt the local orchid societies, moss is a very bad medium here once the plants leave the greenhouse.

I look forward to replies about South Florida growing.

[PhalPal]

I live in coastal southern california and grow only cymbidiums outside all year. It would be much too hot and dry with little humdity for most any other type.

[palito]

Laelia anceps. It can be outside all year mounted directly on trees in the gulf area with no problems. just don't forget to water when its too hot. It will resist a few frosts with no damage as long as it gets enough sunlight, which is not a problem since most trees at the time are bare and the plant is essentially exposed to full sun all winter.

[jerrymeola]

I have never found a Cattleya that did not like our Florida weather.

Cymbidiums are bad news.

Oncidiums do well if sheltered from the hotest weather.

Stay away from the high mountain Dens, but all others do good.

Vandas love the high light (with lots of water)

Phals, Paphs and phrags still are best indoors.

Really the orchids I would not recommend for Florida are very limitted.