summer time in the north

[exasperatus2002]

I live in Pennsylvania. Does anyone in the northern US move their orchids outdoors for the summer? If so what kinds and how do you care for them outdoors. What do you do to keep the bad bugs off of them? I have a problem with earwigs in my veggie garden so Im afraid to move any outdoors in the summer in case the bugs decide they want something exotic to add to their diet.

[mayres]

I live further north than you do and bring all but my phals and paphs outdoors for about six months of the year. No question you will have to deal with bugs outdoors that are rarely a problem indoors - you have to make some sacrifices to get some of the good - better environment for most of them - i put them on the east side of my house under 65% shadecloth - they LOVE it! Spray them occasionally with Bayer Rose and Flower Spray and worm tea. It sure is a lot easier and faster to water them all with a garden hose than indoors let me tell you! The biggest trick is aclimating them to increased light levels from what they have been getting indoors the first few weeks. mike