Outdoor overnight temperature?

[Dollythehun]

We're still seeing cold nights. I never set anything out until we're solidly in the mid 50s at night. I have old sheets and shower curtain liners and tarps on hand, if need be.

[Ray]

FWIW, I put my plants out about 2-3 weeks ago. We got one night that was going to approach 40, so they got moved onto an enclosed porch for the night.

Put ‘em out the next day, then we ran into a prediction of upper 40’s and I decided to do nothing. The low was 48 for a couple of hours. No issues I can see.

I think that being ~75’ from the intracoastal waterway, so max humidity, seems to give the plants a “pad” of protection, as there is absolutely no evaporative cooling under those conditions.

[farley101]

I was wondering about humidity as well, the forecasted humidity was 80+% when the temp was going to be 44. I figured that would play into how the plants were affected as well, just wasn't sure if it would be positive or not.

[WaterWitchin]

Here in Kansas, 6a, I normally have all my orchids out by end of the upcoming week. Our "average" lows are at 55F by now. I have three flats of tomato seedlings outside, and five Cymbs out for maybe a couple of weeks. Have had to bring them in overnight three times in past couple weeks because of frost. Which isn't "average" around here.

I can see we still have at least three nights upcoming where lows are in mid-40s. Been a cool spring, and I'm just gonna wait on everything else until at least end of next week. Not worth it to schlep them in and out that many times vs the benefit of being outside. And we get a lot of thunderstorms and hail this time of year, which makes the "benefit" risk even less. I'm not schlepping a hundred orchids ANYWHERE more than once in spring, once in fall.

These insights are provided by an old lady with bad knees and back, who's also rather cranky about the cool spring. And a husband with a bad back who gives me the stinkeye each time we've had to move the others in and out. I think of it as keeping the marital peace.

[Roberta]

Add the Cyms to the list of "not to worry" ... a Cym can tolerate down to freezing for a few hours.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Add the Cyms to the list of "not to worry" ... a Cym can tolerate down to freezing for a few hours.

Nice information Roberta. But will considerations need to be made about freezing rains, frost etc?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Nice information Roberta. But will considerations need to be made about freezing rains, frost etc?

---------- Post added at 12:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 AM ----------

r

If you want to see what Cyms can tolerate, take a look at this: Ice

Even more amazing, some of those flowering plants were in a show two weeks later, none the worse for wear.

[farley101]

WW, if I had that many to move, I'd definitely be strategic about when to do it!
I "only" have about 40 or so at this point, all pretty small so I can carry 4-5 on a tray. Once all these Catts grow up and the collection grows it'll be a different story!
I do have one Cymb, one of my first non-phals that has been beat up a little but growing pretty good now so should be fine to leave outside.
Appreciate everyone who has chimed in, definitely gives me a good target to aim for as far as temps.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Roberta

If you want to see what Cyms can tolerate, take a look at this: Ice

Even more amazing, some of those flowering plants were in a show two weeks later, none the worse for wear.

Quite amazing in that those cymbidium could tolerate that. I wonder if they have natural anti-freeze or something in these plants.

If consistently other people report the same results - in that cymbidium can generally handle freezing rain type conditions, then that will be quite amazing. Otherwise, could also be risky - as in - could end in tears too.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

If consistently other people report the same results - in that cymbidium can generally handle freezing rain type conditions, then that will be quite amazing. Otherwise, could also be risky - as in - could end in tears too.

So maybe if you don't believe it when someone who does this for a living shows you, I guess you'll have to visit California. In the coastal band from San Diego to San Francisco, there are (and have been over the years) many commercial Cymbidium nurseries like this one, and among orchid hobbyists, Cyms. are about as common (and hard to grow) as roses. Even in the more inland areas where summer days are frequently over 100 deg F (nearly 40 deg C) and quite a few winter nights get down to freezing - these grow outside where few other orchids can. Nobody "reports" this, they just do it.