Rookie Lessons Learned on Summering Orchids Outside

Experienced orchid growers and books on orchid growing often recommend taking orchids outside for the summer. Summering orchids outdoors gives the plants more light, if they need it, and the chance to experience day-night temperature fluctuations that help them rebloom.

My friend, a more experienced orchid grower than I am, gets her cattleya orchids to rebloom after placing them on her large, south-facing front porch. Inspired by her success, I decided to move at least some of my orchid collection outside this summer.

I began by moving some of my orchids to my (much smaller) front porch in May, after the last frost date had passed. After about two days, my paphiopedilum and phalaenopsis orchids began to develop large black spots on their leaves. My oncidinium orchid had brown leaf spots.

Distraught, I pulled out my orchid book for a diagnosis. The problem was too much light. Apparently, the porch roof wasn't providing enough shade for even my light-loving orchids.

I brought the plants inside, cut off the damaged parts, and had to throw out some paphiopedilum and phalaenopsis orchids that were too light-damaged to save.

The lesson learned: pay close attention to how much light orchids are getting, and watch them closely for signs of sunburn when first moving them outdoors. That, and my porch wasn't shady enough.

A few weeks later, I tried again in the shadiest, most sheltered spot in my yard. I set up several trays on the ground under a tree, where I hoped the plants would be sheltered from the most intense effects of Midwestern thunderstorms.

My orchids seemed to thrive there, doing well with occasional checks for water when we'd gone a while without rain.

But growing so close to the ground, my orchids eventually developed another problem. My orchids became infested with ants, rolly pollys, and spiders. They're back inside again.

After washing the foliage to remove spiderwebs, I carefully knocked each plant out of the pot and checked the roots for insect infestations. When necessary, I removed the potting soil, carefully washed the roots to remove insects, and replaced the orchid potting mix. I'm guessing they probably won't be blooming this year.

Lesson learned: next year, keep the plants off the ground.

For the rest of the summer, I'll be keeping the orchids indoors. And for now, they're separated from the rest of my plant collection.

Will I summer them outside again? Maybe, but probably not until next summer, and not without raising them a ways off the ground.