It depends on the type of orchid. For Catts, I like to get at least the first flower (or two of a group) fully opened, especially if the weather is good. The flowers tend to last longer that way if they can "harden off" before changing their environment. But I get impatient, some are slowwww... For Oncidinae, once they get going they will keep going when you bring them in, a spike can take weeks to fully open. Catasetinae don't care. Pleurothallids I find usually do better if they're left outside - the house tends to be too dry and too warm, which makes the flowers fade faster.
So the short answer is, "It depends". Plants with pseudobulbs tend to be more forgiving, but not always. Sometimes it comes down to what is practical... some times of the year (like Aussie Dendrobium season or C. purpurata season) there are so many blooming all at once that there isn't room for them all in the house. Other times, I take what I can get.
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Hybrid Mode
