ORCHIDS – MOVE ‘EM OUTSIDE!
By Katherine Brown, Joyce McMillan And Albert Ong galvestonbayorchidsociety.org
Many orchids can be grown outside as long as night temperatures are above 55. That includes oncidium, cattleya, dendrobium, vanda, and phalaenopsis. Outside they receive good air movement, bright light and that magic elixir, rainwater.
Move plants to brighter light over a period of several days to give them time to adjust to the change in light intensity. Be sure to check your plants throughout the season. As the sun shifts and becomes more intense plants may need to be moved slightly to avoid leaf burn.
Your yard has microclimates that would accommodate your orchid’s needs:
- A covered patio works well for phalaenopsis.
- If early morning or late afternoon sun reaches the edges of the patio for a couple of hours that’s a great location for cattleyas, oncidium and dendrobiums.
- Perhaps you have shade trees where phalaenopsis could grow under the denser shade near the trunk and cattleyas can hang where they receive dappled sunlight.
- Vandas and dendrobiums can be hung under a roof overhang where they receive early morning/late afternoon sun but are shaded from the intense midday rays by the overhang.
If you are a bit handy, try making a simple structure with a shade cloth cover and hang vandas and dendrobiums near the top with cattleyas and oncidium set below them and phalaenopsis at the lowest level and shaded by the other plants.
With the increased air flow and higher temperatures outdoors check your plants often and water when it doesn’t rain. Vandas in baskets and all mounted plants need daily watering, 2-3 times daily when our temperatures hit 90 degrees. Fertilize plants weekly with a balanced fertilize mixed at half strength. Your orchids will thrive with this vacation outdoors and reward you with healthy growth and their lovely blooms.
Our recent Spotlight on orchids pointed out how much many these exotic flower love our summer heat and humidity. Today’s Spotlight article delves a little deeper in exactly how to successfully grow orchids outside, thanks to Katherine Brown, Joyce McMillan and Albert Ong of the Galveston Bay Orchid Society. Their big free Show and Sale will be Sat.-Sun., May 12-13, 9am-4pm at South Shore Harbour Resort Hotel, Marina Plaza, 2500 South Shore Blvd. in League City.
Details: galvestonbayorchidsociety.org
