Buzz
If you wish to cultivate orchids outdoors, here are some simple steps you can follow. You'll need to determine which orchid species thrive in the soil and climate conditions of your region. Additionally, you must regulate shade and water levels to support the orchids' growth. While the most common method is growing orchids in pots, you can also plant them directly in the ground, in raised garden beds, or even on wooden logs.
Steps
Selecting Orchids
Choose orchid varieties that grow well in your local climate. Look for orchids that can thrive outdoors in your area. You can contact gardening stores or search online using keywords like "native orchids in (your region)."
- In regions where summer nighttime temperatures drop below 16°C, consider growing cymbidiums (boat orchids).
- If summer nighttime temperatures typically stay above 16°C, try cultivating vandas or cattleyas (corsage orchids).
Purchase orchid plants from a nursery instead of buying seeds. Nurseries (as well as many supermarkets and general stores) sell orchid plants year-round. You can visit your favorite nursery and ask if they carry orchids native to your area. Opt for buying orchid plants rather than seeds, as orchid seeds require sterile conditions and take 2-5 years to bloom.
- If the nursery doesn’t have the orchid variety you’re looking for, ask which types thrive in your region. They can recommend orchids that grow well outdoors.
- Alternatively, you can also buy orchid plants online.
Wait until the last frost has passed before moving orchids outdoors. Orchids are tropical plants and cannot tolerate cold temperatures. Ensure the average temperature is above 13°C before placing them outside.
- If you need to bring the plants indoors, place them near a north, south, or east-facing window.
Planting Orchids Outdoors
Gradually expose potted orchids to sunlight. Potted orchids need to acclimate to sunlight. Start by placing them in the sun for 1-2 hours in the morning and afternoon. After a week, increase exposure to 3-4 hours in the morning and afternoon. After 1-2 more weeks, move them to a spot where they receive sunlight before 10 a.m. and after 2 p.m. From that point onward, you can grow them outdoors.
- Orchids dislike intense sunlight, so choose a location with shade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Ensure they only receive morning and afternoon sunlight when it’s cooler.
Grow orchids in pots for convenience and mobility. Planting orchids in pots allows you to move them wherever you like. Choose pots with drainage holes at the bottom, as orchid roots can rot if water accumulates. Gently remove the orchid from its current pot and place it in a new pot of the same size or slightly larger. Ensure the orchid is snug and doesn’t wobble. If needed, fill gaps with a mix of 2 parts pine bark and 1 part peat moss.
- Avoid placing orchid pots inside other pots.
- Always clean pots thoroughly before planting.
Plant terrestrial orchids to enhance your garden's beauty. Replace the soil in the planting area with an equal mix of sand, sphagnum moss (sometimes called "orchid moss"), and gravel. Ensure a layer of gravel at least 30 cm thick is spread beneath and around the orchid. Dig a hole wide enough to place the orchid, plant it, and fill the gaps with the gravel mixture.
- You can grow terrestrial orchids like Pleione, Sobralia, Calanthe (jewel orchids), Phaius (nun's orchids), and Bletia in well-draining soil with plenty of shade.
- You can also use raised garden beds for growing orchids.
Try mounting orchids on trees for a unique garden feature. Use cotton string (or biodegradable twine) to gently tie the orchid to a wooden surface. Within a year, the string will decompose, and the orchid will attach its roots to the wood. This method works best in warm, rainy climates.
- Choose trees like oak, citrus, eucalyptus, or palms, where light can filter through to the trunk.
- In areas with 6-8 hours of full sunlight daily, consider growing vanda orchids.
- In less sunny areas, try oncidiums (dancing lady orchids), phalaenopsis (moth orchids), and cattleyas (corsage orchids).
Caring for Outdoor Orchids
Water orchid roots every few days in the morning. Water the plants early in the day, focusing on the roots and avoiding the leaves. Place the orchid pot in the kitchen sink and run water for 15 seconds, then let it drain completely. Watering in the morning allows sunlight to aid growth. Watering at night can leave the soil damp overnight, potentially causing mold.
- Check soil moisture with your finger to avoid overwatering. If the soil feels damp, wait another day before watering.
Spray orchids with a homemade pesticide every 3 weeks. Every three weeks, spray the orchid leaves with a mixture of 1 liter of water, 2-3 drops of neem oil, and a drop of dish soap to deter pests.
- Use just enough to coat the orchid; the rest can be used on other garden plants. Mix a fresh batch each time, as the ingredients break down quickly after being mixed with water.
- Elevate orchid pots to make it harder for pests to climb up.
Remove weeds as soon as you notice them sprouting. Keep a pair of large tweezers near your orchid pot for easy weed removal the moment you spot them. Weeds are small, usually green plants that grow unintentionally in the area where your orchid is planted.
Treat black rot or brown spots by cutting off the infected parts. If brown, black, or translucent patches appear on your orchid, sterilize scissors or a knife by soaking in rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes, then cut away the diseased parts. Spray a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water on the cut area and dispose of the infected plant parts.
Advice
- If the orchid is not native to your region, adjust its environment by modifying water levels and relocating the plant to alter light exposure according to the orchid's needs.
- In hot and humid climates like Florida and Southeast Asia, consider growing Vanda and Epidendrum (bamboo orchids) outdoors. In areas with pleasant daytime temperatures and cooler nights, such as Southern California or coastal regions of New Zealand and Australia, you can grow Cymbidium (boat orchids) in your garden.
Warning
- Butterflies and bees can pollinate outdoor orchids, which may lead to seed production and a halt in flowering.
- Inspect your orchid, including the root ball, for pests before bringing it indoors.
