Where to Put Orchids Outside: The Right Location and Time

Where to put orchids outside is a matter that can be quite overwhelming, especially when you do not know your orchid’s type; many warm-season orchids cannot survive growing in cold regions, and vice versa, because of this very reason.

Keep on reading this article as we discuss in detail all the aspects of where you should put your orchids outside.

Where to Put the Orchids Outside When Growing?

Put the orchids outside when growing there in a location where they will be receiving bright yet indirect light. This could mean in places where the sun will not harm them, in the shade of a tree, or below the canopy of a tree with an indirect source of light.

– Species Growth

The best place to put your orchids outdoors depends on the orchid species. They grow the best when they are located in a place similar to their native habitat. Some orchids thrive on treetops, while others live their best in shaded swamps. But you cannot go wrong with giving your indoor plants fresh air every few months.

Most orchids do well in direct sunlight. The ideal spot to put your orchids outdoors is under the shade of a tree so that they receive the needed sunlight while being protected from the extreme sun rays. A few orchids do not prefer to be placed under thick canopies and like filtered sunlight.

In baskets, you can hang your potted Epiphyte orchids on the tree’s branches. However, if you do not have trees, look for garden features that can provide your orchids with the sun protection they need. For instance, you can place the smaller potted orchids under a bench, covered balcony, or deck, so that the light will not be too harsh.

What Are the Factors that Determine the Location of Orchids?

The factors that determine the location of orchids and place them outside are the climate conditions and the type of orchid you are growing. With these in mind, you can determine where exactly you should locate the plant and see chem growing.

In short, you can and cannot leave your orchids outside all year round, depending on the climate and the orchid’s type. However, you can make the climate conditions favor your orchids with slight adjustments, like placing them in shaded areas that receive indirect sunlight throughout the day, etc.

– Climatic Conditions

Some coastal regions do not have frost conditions at all. You can place orchids outside all year round in such areas. But, you must closely check the outdoor orchid care for beginners, like ensuring the plant does not suffer sunburn. And even though the continuous airflow is good for the roots, too much wind can harm the plant.

The different species thrive in the central and southern regions, but there is a possibility that these regions are not frost-free. In such cases, a frost cloth is the best option, but you can also use an old blanket or a sheet. Frost cloth is readily available in hardware stores and online. You can also use plastic sheets and secure the borders with heavy rocks.

– Orchid Type

There is no big secret to keeping the orchids alive all year round outside. You need to select the orchid type according to your region’s climate. For example, if your area regularly experiences temperatures below ten degrees Fahrenheit, do not opt for orchids that prefer growing in the warm season. Cool season orchids would be more appropriate for the area.

If you are considering growing orchids outside in Florida, the best options are the Vandas. Cymbidiums grow well all year round in regions with mild days and cooler nights, like Southern California. Even if the temperatures drop to freezing, you can still grow orchids outside, except for the Epiphyte Orchids.

Planting epiphytes orchids outside does not need to be temporary if you can provide them with the right growing conditions. You can adjust the growing conditions and make them a permanent outdoor feature without the compulsion to remain in pots. Terrestrial orchids can survive all year round outdoors with little effort.

If you want a natural outdoor epiphyte display, the best thing you can do is mount them on trees. The roots will take no time to grow and wrap around the tree’s trunk, happily enjoying the free airflow. This way, they can also extract moisture from the surrounding humidity, and you do not have to water orchids because of it.

You can grow Epiphyte orchids outside but not directly in the ground. The plants grow best in containers or raised garden beds filled with bark or a similar potting medium. There are many potting mixes available for such orchids. You can plant terrestrial orchids, such as Sobralia, Bletia, Phaius, Cattleya Orchids, etc., in the ground with favorable climatic conditions.

The orchids grow in the ground and cannot be grown on trees. Such orchids form pseudobulbs that cannot be buried anywhere except in the soil. The presence of pseudobulbs indicates that the orchid is native to the dry region.

The terrestrial orchids need a well-drained growing medium. You also need to ensure they are well protected from the harsh sun. Any spot that receives bright yet indirect sunlight, like under the trees, is ideal for growing terrestrial orchids.

Where To Place Orchids Outside in Each Season?

Place the orchids outside each season where they will have indirect sunlight and good air circulation. In spring, place them under the shade of a tree; in summer, place them under filtered sunlight. In the fall, mulch and protect the roots; in winter, bring it inside to avoid death.

You can put your orchids outside depending on the climate and the orchid type. Orchids enjoy all seasons as long as they get enough air circulation and plenty of indirect sunlight. Most orchid types grow easily outdoors, while some prefer warmer days and cold nights. Winter-hardy orchids can survive freezing temperatures, making them suitable for growing outside.

– Spring

When the chilly days and nights feel cozy, we all bring the orchids outside, as they will have the right amount of heat and indirect sun. It also depends on the kind of spring your area experiences. If the spring is mild, spring frost can still threaten your orchids. Like many plants, orchids do not react well to frost.

Usually, the mounted Epiphyte orchids are more prone to spring threats. They are the most common orchid plants growing in almost every home. Dendrobium Orchids, and Phalaenopsis Orchids, commonly known as Moth Orchids, are an example of Epiphyte orchids.

Furthermore, terrestrial orchids, like the Cymbidiums, also known as boat orchids, and Venus Slipper Orchids are ones that have a better chance of surviving outdoors in spring, even in spring frost. As a result, you can always wait for the frost to pass before moving your indoor orchids outside.

– Summer

Most orchids enjoy being outside after the risk of spring frost has passed. The airflow and sunlight are what benefit them the most; however, harsh sunlight can cause serious damage to your plants, especially the orchid leaves. Extreme sunlight levels can also threaten the plant’s overall health; if you wonder “can I put my orchid outside in summer?”

To be on the safe side, and to avoid such catastrophic circumstances, you can play safe by placing your orchids under shadowing trees so that they receive filtered sunlight. The orchids can also tolerate higher temperatures if you introduce them to high humidity levels and increase airflow gradually.

– Fall

We all tend to bring our orchids inside when fall settles in. You can let the plants sit outside if the fall season is mild. Since a few orchid varieties can survive or cannot survive the drop in temperature, It is very important to know the orchid type.

On the other hand, some of the winter-hardy orchids can survive freezing temperatures. You can make the change in temperature bearable for your orchids by adding mulch around the plant’s base. The mulch will protect the shallow root system, helping the plant survive longer than expected.

– Winter

Leaving orchids outside is fine if your area experiences mild winters, as different orchid types have different tolerance for cold. For instance, some orchids can tolerate temperatures up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, while some varieties do not mind temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. An example of such orchids are terrestrial orchids, which is why you should be very cautious of this issue in winter.

However, if your orchid type is such that it cannot tolerate the freezing temperature, it would be best if you bring them indoors till the temperature is warm enough. As we keep stressing, knowing your orchid type is the key to knowing if you can keep it outdoors.

Conclusion

Knowing where you can put them outside is important whether your orchids are cool-season growers or warm-season lovers. Through our article, you have understood why people struggle with keeping their orchids alive outside, so let’s sum up the main points:

• Not all types of outdoor orchids prefer growing in full sun. The climate and the orchid type determine where your orchids can grow and where they cannot.
• You can make the orchids indoors grow outdoors with slight adjustments.
• The best spots for outdoor orchids are on a tree or under a bench if they prefer shade.

We make many mistakes when we try to grow our orchids outdoors. Knowing where to put them is important in determining if they can survive outside or not. Get to know the type of your orchid first, and then choose the orchid to make it grow outdoors throughout the year in its favorite spots.