Cold exposure truths

[Ray]

I have a couple of vandaceous types spiking right now...

[Dekejis]

I can't speak for other types of orchids, but I've had several catts that I've pretty much grown outdoors - I just take them inside when the weather calls for anything mid-30's or lower and I've never noticed any ill effects at all from it. They also did just fine with our 100-something degree summers as well (unlike me.. )
Dana

[Don Perusse]

Dekejis - You have been pretty lucky as normally orchids really shouldn't go below 50, with an occassional dip to the mid 40's or so. I live in SW Ga. and drag most, except the cyms. inside a greenhouse in Sept. Glad to know as I plan to move to Duluth, Ga. maybe in the spring/summer.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Don Perusse

Dekejis - You have been pretty lucky as normally orchids really shouldn't go below 50, with an occassional dip to the mid 40's or so. I live in SW Ga. and drag most, except the cyms. inside a greenhouse in Sept. Glad to know as I plan to move to Duluth, Ga. maybe in the spring/summer.

It would be interesting to see a list of all the orchids that will take really cold temps. For instance, one of our members here lives in Cadillac and grows a pretty cool greenhouse. There are lots of things in there blooming and doing well that I thought would need warmer temps. Andy of Andy's Orchids has told me on occassion that lots of their minis take temps that go below freezing for breif periods. Epidendrum ellipticum is one for example. I'm really close to trying a greenhouse myself here in Northern Michigan. Such a list would be very beneficial.

[MJSK]

I live in a stone house in Boston. The heating system is rather outdated, so it is cold in the winter. I have plants on window sills (above humidity trays) and a few hanging. I have to be very careful watering in winter, I have rotted many an orchid. I have successfully bloomed some oncidiums (including psychopsis types, a Laeliocattleya, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum (which is in a sunroom that is only heated with a small space heater it must be 45 - 50 for a high during the winter), Maxillaria tenuifolia, Chysis bractesens, Encyclia cochleata (both the white and the green), Neofinetia falcata, Nageliella purpurea, Restrepia muscifera, Acropera (Gongora) galeata, and a Gongora charontis. The Chysis bractesens is sending out its third flower spike in as many years. After success with that plant, I thought I would try to see what would actually grow in cooler conditions. When I got the Laeliocattley 5 years ago, it was a large mature plant. I finally got it in the right window to get the best sun and was finally rewarded two years in a row with beautiful huge purple flowers.