Preparing for winter, Step 1
It's time to inspect your outdoor grown orchids. Most will need to be moved to a warmer place for the winter. While it's still warm get your hose out and using a soft cloth thoroughly and gently give your orchids a bath. You can use insecticical soap or a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid (I like Lemon Joy) if you want. You will be removing dirt and chemical salts and residue. Look for signs of aphids, spider mites, etc. on the bottom side of the leaves. You might want to wipe the leaves (top and bottom) with regular rubbing alcohol. If so, do this first, they wash. Rinse the entire plant with the hose when done.
Remove any dead leaves from the plant. Clean the surface of the potting medium by removing any leaves and pulling out any weeds. (Use tweezers to get to the root!) If the pots look nasty, give them a good scrub while you have that hose out. A stiff brush and mild dish soap should do the trick. Don't worry about a little green algae that may have grown on clay pots. You'll take care of that next spring when you repot.
Water the plant thoroughly by letting water run through the pot for a full minute. Fertilize as usual, except Dendrobiums. If you use Physan-20 or a systemic insecticide apply that, too. Now your orchids are ready to move when that cold snap hits!
Here's a rough guideline on when to bring plants inside. Temps listed are lowest recommended for the plant.
Vandas and Ascocendas - 60 (below 55 they go dormant)
Cattleyas - 50 (well established plants can tolerate 40)
Slipper-type orchids - 55 (unless you have cool growing varieties then go by the recommendation for your specific plant.)
Phalaenopsis - they need a couple of weeks of cool nights to set their bloom spikes in the spring! 40-50 range.
Dendrobiums - 40-50 (Most of you have desiduous types. They are supposed to drop their leaves in order to form bloom spikes. Withhold water for a full month (Oct-Nov) then go back to watering schedule but do not fertilize. Remove dead leaves throughout the winter. DO NOT cut old canes even if they look dead. If they are firm, they are alive! They may or may not put leaves back on in the spring but they will probably form bloom spikes! Evergreen or Nobile type Dens should be cared for as usual and brought inside at around 50.
If you have questions about other types ask them in this thread.
These guidelines are for mature, established plants. Young, tender plants should be brought in at about 10 degrees above the temps listed.
Happy Growing and ask any questions. Step 2 will be about how to prepare your indoor growing space or greenhouse.
Remove any dead leaves from the plant. Clean the surface of the potting medium by removing any leaves and pulling out any weeds. (Use tweezers to get to the root!) If the pots look nasty, give them a good scrub while you have that hose out. A stiff brush and mild dish soap should do the trick. Don't worry about a little green algae that may have grown on clay pots. You'll take care of that next spring when you repot.
Water the plant thoroughly by letting water run through the pot for a full minute. Fertilize as usual, except Dendrobiums. If you use Physan-20 or a systemic insecticide apply that, too. Now your orchids are ready to move when that cold snap hits!
Here's a rough guideline on when to bring plants inside. Temps listed are lowest recommended for the plant.
Vandas and Ascocendas - 60 (below 55 they go dormant)
Cattleyas - 50 (well established plants can tolerate 40)
Slipper-type orchids - 55 (unless you have cool growing varieties then go by the recommendation for your specific plant.)
Phalaenopsis - they need a couple of weeks of cool nights to set their bloom spikes in the spring! 40-50 range.
Dendrobiums - 40-50 (Most of you have desiduous types. They are supposed to drop their leaves in order to form bloom spikes. Withhold water for a full month (Oct-Nov) then go back to watering schedule but do not fertilize. Remove dead leaves throughout the winter. DO NOT cut old canes even if they look dead. If they are firm, they are alive! They may or may not put leaves back on in the spring but they will probably form bloom spikes! Evergreen or Nobile type Dens should be cared for as usual and brought inside at around 50.
If you have questions about other types ask them in this thread.
These guidelines are for mature, established plants. Young, tender plants should be brought in at about 10 degrees above the temps listed.
Happy Growing and ask any questions. Step 2 will be about how to prepare your indoor growing space or greenhouse.
