Summering catasetums

[Paula Frayne]

I have a cycnoches (seedling) & a cycnodes (blooming size) and was wondering if I could put these outside for the summer (my outside grow area receives east sun until about 11am, then is shaded from the sun for the rest of the day). They grow well by my southwest sliding door (the bs one has bloomed at this location). I just thought that a 'summer vacation' would be good for these orchids as well. Temps run about 15C (at night) to 30C plus (during the day) in the summer. The only thing that I worry about is rain left on the foliage after a good rainfall. Do any of you put this alliance outdoors for the summer? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Paula

[Paul Mc]

As I am new to these as well, I'd also like to know the answer to these questions.

[Bud]

I have my Cycnoches, Cycnodes, Catasinaes and Mormodes lined up in a copper windowsill box outside in the east facing window of my kitchen availing the dawn till 11am direct sunlight being shaded by the tall buildings till dusk...but I bring them inside when the wind and rains are strong...It is easy to slide it inside the windowsill using opposite hangers....the seventh floor is too windy and strong rains can tear the leaves off....whereas my fire escape on the south facing window has railings above and below to protect my Vandas from excessive wind and rains

[isurus79]

These guys do great outside!! I bet you will see better growth than ever before when you get some good, natural sun, wind and rain on your plants. They will not rot under such conditions and are water hogs during active growth anyway. I say go for it and put them outside!!

[kavanaru]

These plants do great outside as long as the night temps do not get too cold (avoid temps below 16C for too long).

[Paula Frayne]

Thank you everyone for your advice. Out they go!

[euplusia]

At least they need protection. My personal experience:
Slugs have an amazing intelligence to find the plants & bited a hole into the new pseudobulbs & hollowed out the new bulbs.
A sudden mighty thunderstorm hailed balls of ice. It took hours until the balls melted.