I summer mine in a screened porch with no direct sun. Dipping into the low 40s is no problem and mine have weathered upper 30s in fall without issue.

tj

Just don't do that if they are the fragrant ones like the Bella or Phalaenopsis violacea

Temps in the 40s aren’t t a big deal if it’s a gradual up and down. If the air temps drop at night the temps inside the pot may be a little warmer at least for a little while.

I wouldn‘t move it outside into the 40s in one shot. I usually wait until the lows are in the mid 50s but after its outside for a while I don’t worry about an occasional dip. If it’s going to be cold for a few days I may bring them back inside at least over night.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Apparently orchids are more hardy than I thought. I do have a covered porch they might like....

If you see my name, I'm from NY (now living in Florida).

As soon as night temps stayed above 50, I slowly moved all my orchids (many, many) outdoors. I had a large deck off the back of my house which faced West. You need to gradually move them outdoors. I used patio umbrellas, put many plants on the north side of the yard and gradually moved them toward the East sun or under large trees.

I had many orchids, all different types including many Phals. They went out as quickly as possible when the night temps held steady.

Mike, I put all my fragrant Phals outside also and they loved it. Shady worked best.

The main point is to do it gradually. Start in a shady place (north or under trees) and gradually move them into the sun they could tolerate. I emphasize, gradually.

I left them out until the night temps dropped below 40 and the daytime temps stayed cold. You get the best blooms, especially on Phals and Catts by letting them go through the season of spring, summer and fall.

They love it and you get such great growth and blooms. They love the air movement and rains.

Jane

Thanks for the info, Jane. I'm leery about putting these phals in much sun, because they don't seem to like being in a south-facing window unless they're slightly back and shaded by other plants. I do think I have the perfect location outdoors... it's a south-facing covered porch with lots of varying shade through the day from a nearby huge ash tree. They should love it there.

Who wouldn‘t love it there.

Jane, please answer..Ha I could really use some confidence>>!!))

You are telling me that the two I mentioned that I have a few of would do well exposed outside?

I had mine in a room last summer that got east facing sunlight and a few rotted, Crown rot...Ugh

Do you think outside is much different that I would not have to worry about that?

I don't know why I saw this post again today, but it's good timing because it reminded me that I should put my orchids outdoors. lol! I just checked them for water and found a 2nd flower spike on my Harlequin! It's the first time I'll have two spikes at the same time. :) I've never staked my flower spikes and just let them wander and hang as they will. Is that bad?

I have another question about phals.... I got this Harlequin in May 2018. It has rebloomed for me every year and seems happy. It's never lost a leave yet! It now has 12 leaves and a 13th new one well on its way. I've read that phals normally lose a leave and grow a new one each year. What's up with mine?