Hanging orchids outside is easy as long as you know the right way to do it. Select an epiphyte orchid, choose an appropriate outdoor spot, get a suitable basket, do the repotting, and then hang the basket.
But some minor details impact the success of this process, which you should also know before you mount orchids. So, keep reading, and you will learn the proper method to accomplish the task.
Contents
How Hanging Orchids Outside Can Be Executed?
To hang orchids outside, get a suitable orchid and a basket. Then, select the right outdoor spot with plenty of indirect light. After this, prepare the basket by adding a top-quality potting mix and plant the orchid. Lastly, hang the orchid carefully and ensure it stays still.
– Choose the Right Types of Orchids
Not all orchids do well when mounted on a tree or wall outside. Epiphytes are the best because they naturally grow on trees in the wild. However, which ones to choose depends on the climate condition.
Cymbidiums are a good choice in dry regions because they can withstand heat and tolerate low humidity. Phalaenopsis orchids are ideal if you live in cool to moderate climate regions. Moreover, dendrobiums and Vanda are perfect for highly humid areas, as long as you are going to hang them in the right way.
– Choose an Appropriate Outdoor Spot
You should decide where to hang your orchid in the next step. Trees are an ideal choice for all kinds of orchids. If they like brightness, then place them on the trunks. If the orchids you select love shade, then hang them on branches.
You can also pick any wall or structure outdoors, but for this, you must remember, that you must be keen to grow orchids in a spot where indirect light falls. Hanging them under the direct sun will not let them thrive. The high UV rays can even kill the orchids if they stay exposed to them for long.
You will see that the best place to hang orchids is near the east-facing windows indoors. But any spot that is free from direct sunlight is suitable for them. When outdoors, consider air circulation when choosing a place to mount orchids.
– Get a Right Basket
Orchids grow best in wood and plastic baskets. Get those that can provide proper drainage and airflow. Also, consider the root volume of the orchid before purchasing a basket. If the orchid has more roots, then get a bigger one.
We suggest outdoor gardeners get wood orchid baskets. They are environmentally friendly and give an exotic touch to outdoor gardens. Those made of driftwood, oak, and teak are the popular choices. Avoid pine baskets as they are prone to rotting.
If you are hanging orchids on trees, then getting a basket is optional. You can place the orchid on the trunk or branch and attach the roots to the bark, but an orchid grown in a basket looks more beautiful and is easy to handle.
– Prepare the Basket
Choose a top-quality potting after getting a basket to avoid issues in the long run, because this base will help the plant grow the right way. The popular choices are sphagnum moss, perlite, and shredded fir bark. You can also get premium orchid potting mixes from gardening stores.
Fill a one-third basket with the growing mix you select. Spray some water on it to settle it down. After this, put the basket in a dry place, free from strong winds and direct sunlight as these are aspects that harm the plant and cause it stress.
– Remove the Orchid From its Pot
Carefully unpot the orchid after preparing the basket. Water it a little so that it comes out smoothly. Most gardeners grab the stem base and slowly pull it upward.
You can also invert the orchid pot to get the plant out. If the orchid still refuses to come out, take a knife and use it to detach the growing mix from the pot. When the plant finally gets removed from the pot, put it on a dry towel instead of the floor.
– Prepare the Orchid for Mounting
After unpotting, you should scrutinize the orchid, and make sure that you pluck out dead flowers, buds, and leaves with your fingers. Then, inspect the orchid roots, and be detailed on trimming the sick ones before putting the plant in the basket will increase the success rate of the whole procedure.
Unhealthy and dead roots look brown and black; these are ones that also feel soft or mushy when you hold them. So, if you see roots that fit this description, cut them using sharp scissors or shears. After this, soak the roots for about 20 to 30 minutes; now is the time when you should examine them again, and when you are sure the plant has no unhealthy roots, put it in the basket.
– Plant the Orchid in the Basket
Put the orchid in the basket slowly, and now the roots should spread properly, or they will be stressed in the new home. Use chopsticks or any thin stick to straighten them. You can suspend the aerial roots using your fingers easily, and more concrete about the process
Always plant orchids in the middle if they are monopodial. Contrarily, the new growth should be in the center if they are sympodial, but after placing the orchid, cover its root with some more potting mix.
– Hang the Basket
You can now finally do the orchid hanging. Hammer a nail if you want to mount the basket on an outside wall. Ensure it is not loose or might fall out when you hang the orchid. After this, take a nylon cord and tie one end to the basket and the other one with a nail.
You can also install the slab and free yourself from the worry of orchids falling. Place the basket on the slab and let the plant grow. For trees, you can also tie the basket with the branch. But the branch should be firm and easily manage the orchid’s weight.
Also, ensure the hanging basket stays still instead of swinging like a pendulum. It should not be tilted to any side too. If it does, the watering will become difficult as the liquid will move to one side while the other half will stay dry.
Furthermore, hanging orchids upside down is not a good idea either, as this can hurt growth because watering and photosynthesis get affected.
How To Care for Hanging Orchids Outside?
To care for hanging orchids outside, you should water the hanging baskets weekly and keep them safe from direct sunlight. Fertilizing the mounted orchids with a balanced fertilizer once a month is also vital for their health. In addition, protect them from insects and weather extremes.
Doing basic care practices will ensure the orchids stay alive outdoors. You should water the orchids adequately, feed them nutrients every month, safeguard them from harsh weather, and monitor them regularly to fix any problem early.
– Water Weekly
Depending on the conditions, you should water hanging baskets once or twice weekly. On hot and dry days, a potting medium can get dehydrated quickly, but make sure that you don’t do so in an excessive way. Therefore, water it twice a week to keep the orchid hydrated.
If the orchid is not mounted too high, pour the water with a watering can. Spraying the potting medium is another good way of hydration. You can also untie the orchid, take it to the kitchen, and soak the potting medium there.
After you water the orchids, let the excess liquid drain from the drainage hole. Keeping the medium soggy will lead to root rot and other complications. Also, a watered basket becomes heavy and can fall off, but now you must know it would be best to focus on drainage.
– Feed Minerals Once a Month
Basket or potted orchids need fertilizers to thrive, and you will see how this give a monthly dose of nutrients of a balanced fertilizer 20:20:20. You can also add phosphorus-rich fertilizer if the blooming period is near.
The print on the fertilizer bottle mentions how to add a nutrient dose to basket orchids. Dilution with water is recommended in most cases so that it wouldn’t be excessively placed. For food mist fertilizers, spray the potting medium.
– Ensure No Direct Sunlight Falls
Exposure to direct sunlight is a big problem for mounted orchids. Sun rays can cause leaf scorching, dehydration, and many other issues. Therefore, regularly check whether the orchid is safe from them or not. If you notice sunlight is directly falling on the basket orchids, it is best that you shift them to a different spot. If possible, use curtains or netting.
In short, the sun is critical for orchids, but they need indirect light. Some sun-loving orchid species can tolerate exposure to the sun for hours, but shade-loving ones cannot thrive under direct sunlight; for this, you can try to keep the orchids protected from sun contact.
– Don’t Let Insects Attack
Insects are another annoying problems outdoor gardeners face. You might see spider mites, mealybugs, fungus gnats, and scale insects on trees and baskets. They all can hurt the orchids and stop their growth, and this is why inspecting them at an early stage is important.
As a matter of keeping them healthy, you can try to spray essential oils on the orchid and potting medium to eliminate them. Furthermore, sprinkling some wood ash or sulfur is a good idea too. You can also apply commercial insecticides only if the infestation is severe.
– Provide Protection From Weather Extremes
Weather extremes can give you headaches when growing orchids in baskets or on trees outside. Strong winds, heavy rains, hail storms, or any heat waves, can damage the orchids and stunt their growth. Plant death can also occur in some cases. Therefore, take the basket orchids indoors whenever the weather worsens.
We also recommend you keep measuring the orchids outside temperature. If it goes below 40 degrees or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the dangling orchids and bring them inside your home until the temperature returns to normal, which should be between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. With these simple care measures, the orchid will stay happy outside and bloom vibrant flowers.
Conclusion
Here’s a summary of the whole guide to keep crucial details in mind before you sign off:
- Choose a spot with plenty of indirect light and airflow.
- The hanging basket should be big enough to accommodate the root system of the orchid.
- After mounting, ensure the orchid stays still and does not tilt anywhere.
- Do the post-hanging care measures to assist orchids in growing.
Now, you are ready to grow them outside in a hanging pot.
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