Den. kingianum

[RockyTopReptiles]

I got a great deal on a Den. kingianum today and found out on the New Hampshire Orchid Society that is can tolerate temps down to 35 and that they keep their outside in full east sun (Boston area). My question is could I acclimate mine outside for the warmer months here and in full sun? Im in east TN, zone 7.

[kmarch]

Definitely. Here in Australia, where they are native, my kingianums receive summer temps over 100F. I believe they do best with a little protection from the full sun though. Mine receive no direct sunlight. However in Tennessee where the sun might not be as intense, you might not need to protect them as much. I'd think direct morning sun would be ok.

[RockyTopReptiles]

Ok sounds good, how should I go about acclimating it to the outdoors? Should I put it out for a few hours and each day increase the time its outside?

[Andrew]

Dendrobium kingianum can handle quite wide temperature swings. It's predominantly a subtropical highland species and while it can experience nightly temperatures down to 32F in winter, daytime temps can rise into the 70-80's. So long as your temps are above 32F at the moment I'd be inclined to put your plant outside in a bright but shady location let it settle for a few days and gradually move it into more light over a couple of weeks.

[jbigio]

I may try this myself

[PhalPal]

Rocky I recently burned some new growth on a Dend king and don't want you to make my mistake. It was in semi-shade but on a tile barbeque top (reflected heat) and I was watering heavily in the morning because we have been very unseasonably hot (100F). Just the little bit of filtered sun it did get burned all the baby growths. It actually burned in the pattern of the water sitting on the leaves. I should have realized it was probably greenhouse grown and much more sheltered in it's previous life. It certainly hasn't killed my plant but it is just sickening to see all this beautiful, great growth ruined.

Here is the link to the thread: Problem with my Dendrobium kingianum