Growing orchids outside?

[RockyTopReptiles]

I went to the library today to check out Orthos All About Orchids again (dont know why I just dont buy it) and I was looking at what other books on orchids they had. I found another one that caught my attention, its Growing Orchids in your garden by Robert G.M. Friend and it got me thinking about what orchids that would grow outdoors here in my area, east TN Zone 7? Has anyone tried growing orchids outside in your area, not just in hanging baskets or pots but mounted to trees, rocks, and in the ground for terrestrial orchids? We have our native paphs here but dont know if they would be easy to purchase.

Another question thats off this topic, is peat moss something good to add to a media mix for phals? I use it for my carnivorous plants but didnt know if it was good for orchids.

[FLaCo]

I have many orchids mounted on my palms/coconut trees. As long as you can achieve the natural culture of the plants you can achieve a good mount. They may need a bit more attention when it comes to watering because of the fact it can dry quickly.

As for Phals, I have never use any type moss if it is in a pot. Just bark/charcol and or perlite. Some garden centers sell orchid mix in a bag already. I tried using Spag. moss a couple years ago and noticed that the moisture would linger for too long in a pot. I use Spag. moss on my mounts and my baskets.

[Hummer344]

Trying to grow orchids outside might be a little dicey in your area. If I am not mistaken, you do get good freeze there. Generally speaking, cymbidians will tolerate cooler temps but have to be protected under about 35. Again, generally speaking, most others will not thrive well below about 45 or 50 at night. I live in a moderate climate and leave my cyms out all year around but bring the others in when the night time temps stay below 50. In the spring I put them out again when the night time temps stay above 50. Hope that helps

[RockyTopReptiles]

yeah our winters here get some good freezes, the lowest temp this winter was around 15 degrees. I think I might try and find some native orchids and see if I can buy them anywhere around here. What about putting them out for the warmer months and then moving them in during the winter? Like mounted on something that would be easily moved in for the winter or hanging baskets?

[made4engineering]

You would be surprised at the number of neat cold hardy terrestrials there are: Calopogon, Arethusa, Cypripedium (not Paphs!), Eleorchis, Bletilla, Spiranthes, Aplectrum, Orchis... on and on and on....

[palito]

I believe Bletilla striata should grow in your area (zone 6?). It is a hardy terrestial that blooms in the spring. I grow mine in the ground unattended under some oaks and they are doing fine. It goes dormant in winter and sprouts back in the spring with new leaves and flowers.

[Andrew]

Bear in mind that Robert Friend's book discusses outdoor culture from a Sydney (Australia) perspective. His suggestions are definitely inappropriate for Tennessee. As made4engineering said, there are a lot of temperate terrestrial orchids, including American species, that will handle your temperatures. Vermont Ladyslipper Company sells in vitro propagated Cyps. Roberts Flower Supply also sell Cyps and other US native terrestrials.

[digitalgate]

OR or or have a Heated green house!..

[patticake]

Originally Posted by palito

I believe Bletilla striata should grow in your area (zone 6?). It is a hardy terrestial that blooms in the spring. I grow mine in the ground unattended under some oaks and they are doing fine. It goes dormant in winter and sprouts back in the spring with new leaves and flowers.

I think that they would do well where you are. Some of us are growing seeds of this plant thanks to Ellen! I know that they're available from some garden catalogs. It will be a long time (if at all!) that mine will be ready or I would send you some! I know that they wouldn't make it up where I am z3/4.
Most other orchids would have to be brought in if it gets cold. Different temps for different plants.

[11Orchid126]

I also grow Bletilla Striata outside here in New Jersey. It seems to take our extremely cold winters very well. I do heap leaves on top of the plant for added winter protection.l

[janet_a]

--and no, don't add the peat moss to your mixes; it would make the mix too 'close' and not fast enough draining. your phals like to have air spaces around their roots, unlike the carnivores, which like it damp all the time.

[mbasden]

In your area growing outside during warm months is great as long as you have the orchids some good air movement. In NC (not far from Tenn) I have them hang in an oak tree in the yard. At this moment, it is a little too cold for them to be outside and they are in the house. Keep in mind the ones I have are not terrestrial though. And please do not put the aerial or terrestrial orchids in a carnivorous plant environment. That would be the kiss of death. Carnivores rely on the poorest of soil conditions in order to survive. Hence the reason they are carnivores. Find some info on all orchid types at AOS.org. They will help you out. Good growing.

[exasperatus2002]

I have taken my Phals outdoors in the summer here in PA (zone 6). They did ok but the leaves got chewed on by something so I brought them inside after a month.

[PhalPal]

I have Friend's book and have found it to be almost useless. However, he suggests that there is an orchid for every climate zone, including Alaska.
Where I got the idea of growing in-ground orchids is from an AOS magazine. I just planted a Sobralia in a huge raised planter box outside on my patio. I kept it in a pot for about six weeks to see if it liked the light in that spot and then put it in the ground yesterday. I'll keep you up on how it's doing.