How to Summer Orchids

[The Peloric Orchid]

I'm new to summering orchids outside, and I would like to summer my orchids so they can enjoy the fresh air and temperature changes. I've been wondering: just how does one summer orchids? For example, do I need to protect my orchids from deer/rabbits/squirrels, wind, hail, just to name a few, and how do I so? I have about 25 orchids and I was wondering if anybody had a price estimate on the equipment/supplies. Thanks in advance for anything that might shed some light.

[Petalsofsugar]

I had just about that many orchids last summer and I put them all outside for the summer. I bought a fold down 4 shelf green house with a plastic cover but never used it. They went through wind, rain, thunderstorms, etc. I did make sure to position them so they got sun in the morning until about 11:00 and the ones that don't like much sun I put on the far side so they didn't get any sun. They also got a little sun from about 6:00p.m. until sun set. I watered them a little more and misted them once and some times twice a day. I didn't have trouble with rabbits, etc. but I did keep them up off the ground. They have done beautifully and many are blooming this spring. I am putting them out again this spring for the summer.

Julie

[Mehera]

Do you have phals outside too, Julie?

[Diane]

I have a few orchids I put out in the summer, but with the constant threat of really really low humidity and Santa Ana winds.... most stay safely inside.

[Bikerdoc5968]

Something else to consider when putting any plant outside for the summer in addition to wind, rain and animals is THE SUN! Indoor plants are not used to the sun going outside so you need some SPF 30+ for a few days and gradually get them to their final summer home. I've sunburned plenty of succulents and orchids over the years by trying to do too much too soon.

[Mirabelle]

The year before last I lost most of my phals to crown rot because of too much rain and the miserable DC humidity. I now keep them under an overhang and water them myself in the morning only.

If you put orchids under trees, make sure it's not a "dirty" tree like a crape myrtle. The little dropping buds gathered in the leaf axils and stayed damp. I don't know if that contributed to black rot, but it spread like an epidemic. It didn't help that I had 2 shelves and the rain must have helped spread it to the plants below.

This year I'll have some kind of cover for everything.

[Petalsofsugar]

Lynda, I don't have any phals. I do however have a paph which hopefully will bloom this year. It has two new shoots that are getting to be a nice size. I just put out all my cool-intermediate orchids today. It's a bit windy but they are doing very nice. In a couple of weeks I should have all of them out.

Julie

[WolfinKW]

Diane low humidity HAHA I'm in Las Vegas - everyone of my orchids is outside right now including Phals, Oncids, Cats, LCats, Dens, and one lone Paph. They all seem to love it out there. Of course I do have my trusty misting system going off every so often.

[The Peloric Orchid]

Thank you for the replies. I'm relieved to find out rabbits aren't my worst enemy.