In countries with a temperate climate, it is safe to place those orchids that will benefit from the air outside in their pots by the end of late spring or the beginning of early summer.
By the time the cymbidiums are ready to be returned to their winter quarters, they will be bristling with flower spikes. The Odontoglossum types, in particular, will reflect their change of surroundings and the extra light by the reddening of their leaves. Provided the amount of light they receive is not overdone, and they are not exposed to bright sunlight, this reddening will do no harm; it can be likened to a suntan and is not sunburn. During the following winter, these leaves will regain their midgreen coloring.
If you do not have a garden, your orchids can still enjoy the advantages of being outside for the summer. They are equally at home on a patio or even a balcony, provided they are shaded from direct sun during most of the day. Ideally, select a spot that is reached by either the early morning, the late afternoon or the evening sun only. This will ensure that the plants are in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Standing them against a white-washed wall will give them the added benefit of light reflected from behind. A roof garden may have just this situation.
Some need a lower temperature at night if they are to bloom, and may need to be brought indoors at night, where air conditioning maintains a lower temperature.
Do not place the orchids where they will be in the way of regular hedge trimming or lawn cutting, because you will tire of repeatedly having to move the plants. Having chosen the ideal position, erect a bench for the plants to stand upon that is at a convenient height for you to water and attend to them.
Check the compost (growing medium) for ants' nests and vine weevils or their grubs. Destroy these by soaking the plant in a bucket of water for up to an hour. Check for the more easily seen pests such as slugs and snails, and also for the smaller, more troublesome red spider mites and aphids.
If you cannot find a sufficiently shady place for the orchids erect a shade-cloth roof above the plants on the bench, leaving open ends or sides to allow a free movement of air.
The yellow Promenaea xanthina has been reintroduced on to this tree in its native Brazil where it naturally grows on the lower trunk of trees at high altitude in cloud-filled, humid rainforests.
By the time the cymbidiums are ready to be returned to their winter quarters, they will be bristling with flower spikes. The Odontoglossum types, in particular, will reflect their change of surroundings and the extra light by the reddening of their leaves. Provided the amount of light they receive is not overdone, and they are not exposed to bright sunlight, this reddening will do no harm; it can be likened to a suntan and is not sunburn. During the following winter, these leaves will regain their midgreen coloring.
If you do not have a garden, your orchids can still enjoy the advantages of being outside for the summer. They are equally at home on a patio or even a balcony, provided they are shaded from direct sun during most of the day. Ideally, select a spot that is reached by either the early morning, the late afternoon or the evening sun only. This will ensure that the plants are in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Standing them against a white-washed wall will give them the added benefit of light reflected from behind. A roof garden may have just this situation.
Some need a lower temperature at night if they are to bloom, and may need to be brought indoors at night, where air conditioning maintains a lower temperature.
Do not place the orchids where they will be in the way of regular hedge trimming or lawn cutting, because you will tire of repeatedly having to move the plants. Having chosen the ideal position, erect a bench for the plants to stand upon that is at a convenient height for you to water and attend to them.
Check the compost (growing medium) for ants' nests and vine weevils or their grubs. Destroy these by soaking the plant in a bucket of water for up to an hour. Check for the more easily seen pests such as slugs and snails, and also for the smaller, more troublesome red spider mites and aphids.
If you cannot find a sufficiently shady place for the orchids erect a shade-cloth roof above the plants on the bench, leaving open ends or sides to allow a free movement of air.
The yellow Promenaea xanthina has been reintroduced on to this tree in its native Brazil where it naturally grows on the lower trunk of trees at high altitude in cloud-filled, humid rainforests.
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