Some of the most beautiful orchids like to spend the summer outdoors. This doesn't just apply to the robust, native species. Rather, selected orchids from the rainforest prefer to unfold their exotic flower magic on the summer balcony. We'll tell you what they are here.
Which types of orchids are suitable for the balcony?
Some orchids are particularly suitable for the balcony in summer, such as cambria, lady's slipper orchid (Cymbidium), pansy orchid (Miltonia) and toothtongue orchid (Odontoglossum). On the balcony they should be placed bright, airy and protected from direct sunlight and rain.
Floral summer fresheners for the balcony
Some of our favorite orchids get too warm on the windowsill in summer. If the temperatures exceed the maximum, the royal graces suddenly stop growing or drop the flowers. The following orchids are better off on the balcony to show off their flower beauty:
- Cambria, the easy-care multi-genus orchid
- Lady's slipper orchid (Cymbidium), some of which are hardy species
- The pansy orchid (Miltonia) shows its most beautiful side on the balcony from May to October
- Tooth-tongue orchid (Odontoglossum) tolerates without complaint when temperatures drop to 10 degrees
The popular butterfly orchid (Phalaenopsis) freezes at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius, so staying on the balcony is only an option in midsummer. The same applies to the grape orchid (Dendrobium), at least for the warm house varieties, such as Dendrobium phalaenopsis and Dendrobium nobile.
Care tips for the balcony
Orchids only take their place in the fresh air when the danger of late frosts has passed in mid-May. Please choose a location that is protected from direct sunlight and pelting rain. The location should be bright and airy, because the UV rays and light wind keep illnesses at bay.
Since the coarse substrate dries out more quickly on warm summer days, shorter watering intervals are the rule on the balcony. Until you put the orchids away in late summer, they will be pampered with a special liquid fertilizer (€7.00 on Amazon) every 4 weeks. Spray the leaves daily with lime-free water, provided the morning dew has not already taken over this task.
Tip
Greedy snails spare no effort to crawl up to the balcony. To prevent pests from attacking your orchids, simply hang the plants in a partially shaded, airy place that is easy to reach for care work.