Growing orchids outdoors

[siriusmk]

I just recently came back from an orchid society meeting and I just learned that most of the members grow orchids out of doors in the spring/summer time. I would LOVE to do the same especially for my dendrobium nobiles and Mtssa. C.M Fitch Izumi, but am afraid they will become infested with bugs. I did put one of my dendrobium nobiles outside and I battled it out with red spider mites for weeks before I was able to eradicate them. What preventative means do current members use who grow orchids outdoors to keep the pests at bay.

[mayres]

Spray with Bayer rose and flower spray - it is a systemic and should work for 30 days - this will help with the creepy crawlies but look out for the slugs too! Actually, I've found that the most difficult part of taking them outside (which I hope to do in the next few weeks when it warms up at night) is properly aclimating them to the sunshine - you can BURN them really easy when they have been inside all winter and most of the spring. I use a 55% shadecloth and only take it off progressively a little more each day. Be careful, because once you have burned them good we're talking 2-3 years to get them where they look good again.

[Hummer344]

My cyms stay out year around in this climate. I might have to protect them a total of a week a winter. The last of apr or first part of may the rest of the orchids go outside under shade cloth. See a picture under my post "misc orchid stuff" When I first put orchids outside I got them good and burnt even under a layer of shade cloth. Now the more tender ones are under two layers of shade cloth during the middle of the day. I will take them inside around Nov 1. If your temps stay above 50 at night your orchids will do all right. Below that & some of them seem to get stunted growth. I haven't had much trouble with bugs. An ocassional snail but I use Sluggo around the base of my frame and it keeps them under control. They don't seem to bother the cym leaves but will get into the buds and blossoms during the winter.