Orchid Temperature Question.

[Miller]

I know most try to keep their orchids no lower than mid fifties in winter. Is there anyone that lets them stay outside into the lower to mid 40's? if so, have you noticed any ill affects?

Thanks!

[coeruleo]

yes, i do that every winter. my day temps tend to be warmer, but my nightly lows approach 39f sometimes but tend to be around 43-50. some orchids do just as well, as attested to the spikes coming up right now. i try to do some research though and choose plants i suspect can take it, due to their ancestry. there are some tricks, my balcony is very sheltered from cold wind, and when i know it will be below 45 at night i do not water at all. some of my plants go a week and a half without watering. i have had some damage to young leaf tips on some oncidiums like twinkle (especially the yellow one). others love it.

[cakedaddy]

I keep orchids outside when the temp dips into the forties. Most stay out until I see a forecast projecting anything below 35F for more than an hour. There are MANY variables. Firstly, most of my plants were chosen for their temp tolerance. How long does the low last? What is the high temp going to be? Rain/cloud cover/sunshine? Are they underneath a solid structure? Obviously, I do LOTS of fretting over weather reports. As far as ill effects, I haven't lost anything to cool air other than a forgotten dendrobium on a freezing night and that one could have been saved had I not been preoccupied with other matters. I'm sure my plants could look better, but I gotta work with what I got. I hope others chime in on this thread. Particularly those who have grown both outdoor and in a greenhouse.
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[arwan]

Yes i too leave them outdoor in a shade house, where temp during the day is always warm enough for them(70 F above) but at night it can go to low as 40-45. I also give them less water as compared to summer season.
the only plants that comes indoors at night are my phals, and dendrobium phals types, but the oncs, catts, paphs, cyms are outdoor in the shade house. I think if they are warm enough during the day and a bit cold at night they can survive, provided they are in a protected, sheltered place away from cold drafty winds.
my outdoor orchids seems tobe doing fine and no sign of damage so far, except their growth rate is very slow compared to summer time.
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[Miller]

Arwan, where are you located?

[arwan]

Arwan, where are you located?

I'm from Shillong the capital of Meghalaya (one the north east states of India). Shillong is at an elevation of 1500m, so we experience a cool temp all year round, unlike the rest of India.
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[Miller]

Do any of you make exceptions based on the plant being in flower/bud?

[78Terp]

I have not made any exceptions for buds.

I do cool my house nitely down to 60 F and all plants and people get the same temperature. I just ensure there is not a cold draft on the orchids that could damage buds. I already did that in November on my Cymbidium. Blasted a number of buds on one of its spikes by being too close to the window I opened to help cool the house..

[raybark]

With the exception of Terp, I don't see anyone commenting on the specific plants. Their tolerance of temperature extremes depends a great deal on those in their natural habitats.

Cymbidiums - even the warmer-growing "Chinese" species - will have no issues with the colder temperatures, while most phalaenopsis, vandas and bulbophyllums will suffer badly, especially if the low temps are extended or repeated.