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07-18-2013, 06:14 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Zone: 5b
Location: New York
Posts: 11
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deers, do they eat orchids?
Hi,
I've been growing orchids for about a year and this is the first time I've put my orchids outside for the summer. I live in N.Y. near a wooded area. The last few nights deer have gotten into my garden and enjoyed my hard work. Now I'm worried about my orchids being eaten. In the past deer have come close to the house at night. Does anyone know if deer will eat orchids?
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07-18-2013, 07:43 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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Location: Chicagoland
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07-18-2013, 08:12 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2008
Zone: 9a
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 26,634
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I certainly expect they would. They're not toxic, and might be tasty ...
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07-18-2013, 09:13 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Zone: 9a
Location: Texas Gulf Coast east of Houston
Posts: 773
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Deer, do they eat orchids?
Snails sure do like them. Ask me how I know.
Beverly A.
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07-18-2013, 09:56 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2010
Zone: 6b
Location: NW Arkansas, USA
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Deer certainly eat the native terrestrial orchids here. I don't know whether they'd eat tropical epiphytes - dogs, feral cats, groundhogs, snakes, birds, etc., we get them all in the greenhouse now and then, but thank goodness no deer. Local gardeners say they'll eat anything if they're hungry enough, so if you have lots of more appealing foliage around maybe they won't look at the orchid tasting menu.
Steve
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07-18-2013, 11:06 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 86
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Don't risk it. Protect the orchids from the deer. I have plants that deer supposedly don't like to eat. This is true, they don't like to eat them, but that doesn't stop the young ones from sampling them. You know how youngsters are, they taste everything. I was just clearing up some chewed-up, spat-out sedum leaves from the garden just a few days ago. The little spotty fawns are so cute, but I could just strangle 'em sometimes.
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07-19-2013, 11:38 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Zone: 9a
Location: Texas Gulf Coast east of Houston
Posts: 773
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Deer, do they eat orchids?
And just when I thought that snails were the worst problem with my orchids being nibbled on....DH tells me that yesterday he saw a deer out by the mailbox. Now that is some 300' from the orchids but I live in a heavily wooded area so it is no surprise that we have deer but I have never seen one close to the house.
At least we have had decent rains this year and there is plenty of browse for the deer (apparently) (I hope).
I would assume that those of you who are concerned might need to employ a dog, perhaps?
Beverly A.
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07-19-2013, 01:11 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Zone: 3b
Posts: 656
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As far as I know, deer will eat anything, especially the little ones. A DNR guy explained to me, that the taste buds of the fawns are not quite developed yet, so they'll eat anything and everything. The adults are more selective. I keep my Orchids inside all year and as for the flowers and shrubs, I just sigh and tell myself that deer have to eat too.
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07-19-2013, 03:11 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Zone: 5b
Location: New York
Posts: 11
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deer
Thanks everyone. I put a portable radio in my garden to play at nightto protect what is left of my vegetables. But Iwill bring my orchids up on the padio at night. Everyone has toldme to put my orchids outside for the summer because they like it and will grow better.
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07-19-2013, 05:35 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 1,700
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ahazz
Thanks everyone. I put a portable radio in my garden to play at nightto protect what is left of my vegetables. But Iwill bring my orchids up on the padio at night. Everyone has toldme to put my orchids outside for the summer because they like it and will grow better.
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Or you could get a dog or two! I have a Mastiff and Great Dane and I don't have a problem with the wildlife eating my orchids (with the exception of snails). I know lots of people in my orchid society have an issue with squirrels; I have a ton around my yard, but none in it!
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