growing outdoor orchids in SW Florida

[mlw]

Greetings--I've just joined because finally I've been able to keep orchids alive and happy by mostly keeping them outside and not fighting the climate. We'll see what happens when winter comes. People keep giving me orchids--phalanopsis, dendrobiums--and living where I do it's tempting to pick up a new one at the Selby Gardens in Sarasota. But in the house the cockroaches just love potted plants, esp. those in orchid bark mixes, so I just gave up. I stuck my last oncidium outside to get rid of the bugs and then forgot about it--thought it was dead. Lo and behold--this fall it bloomed. The pot was sideways under a lot of pineneedles, buried in ferns under some old and large pines. So I left it alone until it was done, and then read up online and checked it out. The plant didn't look so hot at the base and the roots were down in the soil and tangled up with fern roots, so I dug it up. I actually cut it in two--it was long and leggy with the best roots pretty high up on the stalk. I figured the base might not make it, but the new baby is really happy, growing in some bark in side a hollow log from the fireplace.

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The base has recovered too since repotting and has new leaves (only 3 pseudopods, but all healthy and plump). I'm experimenting with using a funky old metal birdcage hanging in an oak for a possible planter. If either or both oncidium & phal like it, I may simply fill the bottom with moss and bark and plant them in it--now they are in pots inside and seem happy.

I've got a Cattelya & a Vanda in hanging baskets, and have acquired 4 Phalenopsis, 2 dendrobiums, and 2 Spathoglottis. Nothing special, but all seem to be doing well as long as I leave them outside and protect esp. the phals. from the sun. I've found that moving spanish moss around to provide more filtered light where the tree shade is inadequate seems to work.

I've also been babysitting a couple orchids for a friend. She has an ENORMOUS Vanda, and I think the funky looking little green appendage may be another plant coming?

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Is anyone else having good luck w/outdoor growing? The oncidium clearly can handle winters having been outside for about 2 years now, and I think the dendrobiums will too--though they may drop leaves. But I'm assuming I'll have to bring the phals and vanda inside at least some nights.

Thanks,
Miriam
Sarasota, FL