Suddenly cold?! - Orchid Board

IngieBee · #1 05-23-2019, 05:10 AM

Dang, it's been cold and I'm starting to see issues with my orchids. If I put a heater on them, I'm afraid I'll shock them the other way! What to do? Just wait it out? I wasn't prepared for this unseasonably cold weather. It is already 60 degrees and could go as low as 55? My Catasetums are mostly well leafed out, and are exibiting signs of water blisters ( no idea what it's called.).

Will they be OK? Or do I need to locate a heater tomorrow (and will that be too late??

Thanks for any advice

Mountaineer370 · #2 05-23-2019, 07:51 AM

IngieBee, what type of a set-up do you have? It sounds like they are outdoors, but that could mean a lot of different things. A porch, enclosed, covered, or open, an unheated greenhouse, something else? Also, in your "Introductions" post, I believe you mentioned growing up in the San Fernando Valley but didn't say where you live now. If you were to include your geographical location in your profile, it would be very helpful to those wanting to give advice. You don't have to be specific, just a very general area will do. You would go to your User CP in the red bar near the top of the page, and then go to "Edit Your Details."

I don't have any personal experience with Catasetums. What other types of orchids do you have? Hopefully, with a little additional information, others will be along to help.

P.S. FWIW, can you just bring them indoors temporarily? I know many of us don't have a lot of space in our homes for plants, especially large ones, but maybe just set them in a utility room or foyer during the coldest of your weather?

IngieBee · #3 05-23-2019, 11:19 PM

Hi Mountaineer370, thanks for answering, sorry I didn't see until now.

Well, I'm still in the San Fernando valley, nearer to the foothills now. I'll try to get that corrected on my profile

Actually, they're growing in the house where the windows leak, and frankly I don't want to turn on the heater because the hot weather will be here soon enough. It's a choice, the plants or me, an old lady who is always feeling too warm!

Maybe I should buy heat mats? I'm just noticing they're not looking so great. My phals look like the leaves are getting rough, I'm afraid they may be getting water in the leaves. They're no longer getting water, but the damage may already be done. The house is 64 degrees in the day and 60 at coldest at night which doesn't sound so bad, but there is no relief. And again, the plants don't look too happy. Hummmm It's been over 30 years since I had orchids.... I'm afraid I don't have the rhythm yet :P

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 05-23-2019, 11:21 PM

60 F is still ok for Catasetum. Get some lights for them to grow under and get them away from the window and they will tolerate the 60 F just fine.

IngieBee · #5 05-23-2019, 11:27 PM

Thanks King, I am just freaking out that everything started to grow nicely, and suddenly spring disappeared, LOL. I had given them too much water before the turn and they seem unhappy, but hopefully time will fix everything as long as nothing rots!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 05-23-2019, 11:37 PM

The roots on these are usually starting to grow out on some of these right now. Do not water heavily for the time being. Be patient and water sparingly. Wait until summer comes around.

IngieBee · #7 05-24-2019, 02:24 AM

OK, got the old radiator heater working so tomorrow we can have it a bit warmer. Anyone know how much the temperature can change without sending the plants into shock?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 05-24-2019, 04:35 AM

It's not necessary to get a heater unless it stays that cold (60 F) the whole day. If the temperature is currently in the mid 70's F during the day, but drops down to 60 F during the night, the Catasetum are still going to be ok. A 20 degree difference between day and night will not harm them.

Exposing them to a cold draft might not be a good idea though.

Also, don't point the heater directly at the plants, they will burn.

IngieBee · #9 05-24-2019, 02:00 PM

Thanks King, it hasn't gotten above 64 in the house in days. The heater is an old oil radiator style, and it 's brought the temperature up to 74. I have it on low as I don't want to shock the poor plants, LOL, but it is a foot asay. otherwise it wouldn't do anything. I don't just have the Catasetums, but cattleyas, phals and Oncidium types. The heater did drop the humidity, so I'm running a humidifier. I think it's all good, thanks

Roberta · #10 05-24-2019, 04:51 PM

Orchids can be very forgiving. I'm in coastal southern California. Some of the last few nights have been as low as 52 deg F (though not for many hours) and days have been May-gray cool and cloudy - and none of the orchids seems to care. Of the Catasetenae that are well leafed-out, nearly all have been outside for several weeks and getting watered (and even rained on) and I haven't seen any problem with those either. The good air movement (it has been quite breezy) helps I am sure.