rebound after outside in summer?

[tmoney]

hello again helpful orchid people,

another question that came up that we haven’t found in depth analysis or first hand experience is with rebound and moving plants back inside.

so basically my experience with some species of houseplants is that sure, they love to be on the balcony in summer and do amazing, but then really really struggle with the transition back inside in the fall. to the point that i have some that are permanent indoor plants with slower yearly growth but overall better long term health. some plants i have had do the in out transition every year with no problems. so im curious where orchids fall, or if there is a tolerance range among the genera. what do you experienced folk do? leave em all inside all year, or take em out when the weather gets nice?

thanks for any first hand experience!

[Ray]

I believe what you’re observing is as a result of the decrease in light levels, potentially temperature, too.

I see the same thing for my plants over-wintering indoors, even though they’re in the same windows they’re outside of over the summer. The windows have LowE coatings, so there is a light reduction.

I’d bet adding supplemental light would help a great deal.

[WaterWitchin]

This will be my first year not taking the orchid crew outside for the summer. Other than that, almost all went outside in spring (May) and came in in fall (October). When inside for the winter months, they were all under LED lighting, in my basement or sunroom. Was doing that since 2005 if memory serves. Anyway for a long time.

The main "problem" I had with outdoor summering with the orchids... getting knocked over by winds during a storm, bugs eating leaves...sometimes a LOT of leaves, and occasionally sunburnt leaves when I didn't go slowly enough transferring into more natural light.

It also gets super hot here around July. I had to remember to take inside cooler growing orchids, and killed a few by forgetting to haul inside...Maxillaria and Masdevallia readily come to mind. If you have Cymbidium, many of them need a bigger, longer chill than others; being outside is a plus.

For me, it overall worked well and I didn't see the type of issues I get with certain house plants. I know what you're talking about... excellent growth, but then too much shock when brought inside. Even into a sun room with plenty of natural and artificial light. A lot of ferns, it just isn't worth the summer growth... too much setback.

Again, for me, the issue had become having to haul plants up and down stairs each year. You're young enough that probably isn't a problem.

[tmoney]

thanks for the replies! yes i agree it’s most likely the reduction in light levels that shocks them, even if in nearly full shade outside. seems like we might want to think about some lights over the next few months if we want to take some out the the balcony. well i suppose it can’t hurt the other ones to have a little more light in winter!