Fresh air and mild sunshine act like a revitalizing treatment on your orchids. Popular species such as lady's slipper orchids (Cymbidium) or pansy orchids (Miltonia) like to spend the summer on the balcony. Find out how to properly care for orchids outside here.
How do I care for orchids outside in summer?
Orchids can be cared for outside in summer by placing them in a partially shaded, warm place protected from rain and spraying them daily. Avoid direct contact with the soil and ensure adequate water and nutrient supply.
The right outdoor location
So that your orchids can enjoy their summer stay in the fresh air without any worries, the location must be chosen carefully. These general conditions are desirable:
- Best time is from May/June to September/October
- A partially shaded, warm and rain-protected location
- No direct contact with the ground to protect against cold feet and voracious snails
On a pedestal, a flower shelf (€52.00 on Amazon) or a chair and under the protection of an awning, the exotic flower beauties feel in good hands. Here you can gather fresh strength in the summer for the next flowering period.
A place at lofty tree height is welcome for orchids
Hang your orchids in a tree in summer and the exotic flowers will feel right at home. The majority of plants in the rainforest sit on branches, where they cling to them with their roots. Please make sure that the orchid is under a protective canopy of leaves and that water can drain away unhindered.
The perfect outdoor care program
The weather has a greater influence on the care of orchids outdoors than in living rooms or the winter garden. This is particularly true for a balanced water supply. How to do it right:
- Spray orchids outside daily in the early morning with lime-free water
- If it is dry, dip the root system until no more air bubbles appear
- Fertilize orchid species with a summer growing season liquidly every 4 weeks
- Do not fertilize orchids without visible growth outside
When the humidity rises in early or late summer and the morning dew wets the leaves and aerial roots, you can save yourself having to spray orchids. During dry and hot summer periods, the plants cannot survive without a daily early morning spray.
Tip
So that your cold-sensitive Phalaenopsis can enjoy the fresh air in summer, special precautions are required. The orchids are perfectly protected from pelting rain, blazing sun and cold drafts in a partially open summer house, such as the one used for tomato plants.
