bringing plants in from outside

[nicki]

This is the first year I've put some of my orchids outside. It's already getting pretty cool at night. When it comes to bringing the plants back in till next year is there anything special that should be done? All the plants I've had outside have done great. I'm afraid once they are brought in they will not be so happy.

[panam]

Nicki, perhaps they would rather winter in Arizona.... Snowbird orchids!

[nicki]

LOL. That would only clear me room to buy more...

[panam]

LOL. That would only clear me room to buy more...

I'm always up for helping our poor economy!

[nicki]

Ha! Yep, we must all do our share

[Janet]

I'm in MA. I'll start bringing plants in toward the beginning of september, simply because I've too many to do them all at once especially since I have to haul them upstairs. I usually begin with the smaller plants. I usually do major repotting before bringing them in because it's messy to have to repot something inside. The cyms will stay out until a hard freeze is coming. I'll cover them for a frost. My orchids are pretty much all in one place on the deck so if a very early frost is predicted, I'll toss a blanket over them.

[otis226]

Being in North central FL, I've only got to worry about 6 weeks or so, but even still, they need to be checked for insects and repotting needs. Mainly place them in the garage for a week or 10 days first to see what needs debugging.
Good luck,
Tony

[nicki]

Treating for bugs is probably something I would have forgotten to do. They shouldn't need a repot since I did that before I put them out. But covering them for the night incase it gets to chill is a good idea. I'd like to keep them out as long as possible with the nice days.

[kiwiorchids]

Nicki, do you get frosts where you live? Most orchids are absolutely fine in cooler temperatures, so long as they don't get frosted. Mostly, the plants will only slow or stop growing until it warms up a bit. All of my orchids, except for phals and warm growers, stay out in winter, but i made the wise decision to bring all but my cymbidiums inside this year, as it has actually snowed here for the first time in almost a century.

[nicki]

Yep we get frost and snow. I know, I need to move somewhere warmer