Outdoor Orchid Care
The American Orchid Society is a horticultural society that promotes and supports the passion for orchids though education, conservation, and research. This month Bridget shares tips from AOS contributors Ned Nash and James Rose to care for your orchids in March and April, and upcoming programs from the AOS.
By Bridget Kerans, American Orchid Society Representative
Our Orchid Show was a wonderful success. It was great meeting new IOS members and seeing so many beautiful orchids. I didn’t buy much, but I did find a few old favorites from when I first discovered orchids 11 years ago. The Member’s Table was full of great finds, and I couldn’t resist a few. I hope everyone enjoyed the show as much as I did, and I look forward to seeing our new members at the next meeting. Now on to the AOS offerings!
Since the seasonal care was in last month’s issue, I found something else to help us out until the plants can go “camping” for the summer.
Outdoor Orchid Care
Anyone can grow orchids outdoors if the weather is good enough! For folks who live south of the 37th parallel, the weather is more likely favorable for the larger part of the year. For the rest of us, growing orchids outside is restricted from late spring through summer to early fall. Unless you are placing orchids outdoors when it is raining daily, for every day that it does not rain, you will have to water, regardless of where you are. Orchids grown in climates with lower humidities may need to water twice a day. Though beware, pests and critters can be of concern, do check-in on your orchids regularly.
Which Orchids Should Be Grown Outside?
Any orchid can be grown outside, depending on your conditions and your commitment to care. Though, it is advisable to not grow miniature orchids or orchids that cannot dry out outdoors. Instead, try to grow orchids that are more bulky or succulent-y, such as Cattleya, Dendrobium or Cymbidium, which are more hardy anyway. In more tropical climates (or climates that rain daily), you can put almost any orchid outside, as long as it’s in the right space.
Where Outside Should They Be Grown?
Nearly all orchids should be grown in half to full shade. If moving from a greenhouse, give them one step down for sun exposure. If they are full sun plants in the greenhouse, put them outside in part-shade. If they are part shade (or a few hours of direct sun) plants, put them in full shade, and if they are full shade plants in the greenhouse, they should remain in full shade outdoors. Ensure that they are in an area that can be easily watered when it does not rain, and where creatures, like squirrels, can’t get to them. If you can set up an automated sprinkler system, that will greatly reduce the watering work you will have to do. Outdoor plants should be watered daily, regardless of region. If in drier climates, consider watering twice a day.
When Should They Go Outdoors?
Orchids can go outside depending on the cold hardiness of the species. Knowing which species or hybrid you have is the best, but generally, Cymbidium are the most cold-hardy of the cultivated orchids, followed by Pleurothallids, followed by everything else. The most important sign of when to place your plants outdoors is the nighttime low temperature. You can put Cymbidiums outside when the lows are 40F/4.4C or higher consistently. For everything else, wait until the nighttime lows are 55F/12.7C or higher to bring them outside. In the fall, start bringing all plants indoors or in greenhouses when the nighttime low reaches 55F/12.7C for the first time. It’s better to be more cautious in the fall – frost damage can never be repaired, and may kill the plant.
Why bring an orchid outdoors?
Bringing orchids outdoors can be a “shot in the arm” or a breath of new life to them. Orchids that may not have bloomed indoors can sometimes be found blooming if spending a few months outside. Others may grow larger or recover from ailments faster if brought outdoors.
**OPEN TO ALL**
Greenhouse Chat April 2026
Dr. Ron McHatton
Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM CST
Join as he answers your questions about all things orchids. Please send your question and pictures to Sandra Svoboda at greenhousechat@aos.org by March 31, 2026.
**MEMBERS ONLY**
Growing Cattleya alaorii and its hybrids with Jojo deBeaubien
Jojo deBeaubien
Tuesday, April 21st, 2026
7:30 PM CST
Jojo will be speaking about the dwarf Cattleya alaorii and its hybrids.
The Next Issue Of ORCHIDS Magazine:
Coming in the April 2026 Issue
Tom's Monthly Checklist by Thomas Mirenda
Questions and Answers by Ron McHatton
For the Novice - Repotting Those Huge Cattleyas by Sue Bottom
Membership Committee Update - Ricky - From Coastal Curiosity to Colombia’s Newest Orchid Judge by Deb Boersma
Collector's Item - Coelogyne cristata Lindley 1824 by Anton LaubOrchids Illustrated - Gavilea – A South American Terrestrial by Wesley Higgins and Peggy Alrich
Orchid Championship - The 2024 AOS Special Annual Awards by Nile Dusdieker
Pointed Praise - The 2025 First Class Certificates by Carol Klonowski
My Favorite Orchid - Catasetum (Portagee Star × fimbriatum) by Madonna Laws-Lowell
