Preparing plants for the winter

[Mugsie]

Pretty much all the orchids are inside, except for a nodosa that I'm waiting for the last survivor ants to surrender. Next to come in are the hoyas. My hoyas seem to be mealy magnets so they need to be sprayed several times, yet by Jan - Feb mealies always make a resurgence. Fortunately they're easy to zap and once the weather breaks, outside the plants go again.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I wish I knew that recipe for killing ants...I used to soak all my pots in water or use Sevin (the old formula). That seems so much better. I was just glad that the stuff I am using for the pill bugs worked on the ants, too.

The best thing about it is it doesn't take much and even if a dog gets curious and tastes it, no harm done. Some folks use borax instead of baking soda, but they both give the same result.

[estación seca]

Borax is toxic to mammals too. Don't use it where pets nor children might get it.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Borax is toxic to mammals too. Don't use it where pets nor children might get it.

Indeed, it's why I use baking soda. I forgot to mention why.

[Leafmite]

When my late American Eskimo got into a terro ant trap (with borax), the vet assured me it was not too concerning and just to keep an eye on her.

For other types of poison (i.e. mouse/rat), always keep a fresh, unopened bottle of hydrogen peroxide on hand and know the dose to give your dog.

[Dimples]

Some people actually ingest that stuff on purpose, it seems to be a fringe use not backed by science in the amounts they’re taking, but they aren’t dying left right and center so the LD50 must be pretty high. Boric acid is also regularly prescribed to treat female yeast (maybe bacterial, idr) infections, so it’s definitely not a true poison.

[greyblackfish]

I’m almost ready to get a seedling mat but then the thought hit me. Would it be enough to keep larger orchids warm? These mats are mainly used to keep small horizontal areas warm so I’m sure the heat will be lost in the air.

Also I don’t have the budget for a tent yet. Maybe a sheer cloth draped over the plant shelf will suffice?

I’m planning on getting some grow lights, two computer fans, and a heat mat. I found a very inexpensive greenhouse tent on Amazon but I’m trying to spend as less as possible. We’re house hunting so the growing situation will be changing hopefully in the next few months.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by greyblackfish

Thank you for the input! I’ve found some on Amazon that are inexpensive. Yes I will be keeping my orchids inside. Somehow the idea that I can put my orchids directly onto these blows my mind. I’m starting to wonder what other warm loving orchids could benefit. Maybe my seedlings.

Check your local Lowe's for portable greenhouse tents. My local store has them on sale. They are Miracle-Gro brand and are easy to set up. My light is on a timer. My humidifier is on a humidistat. I just bought a heater and ordered a controller which I'm waiting to be delivered. Here is a link to a video I came across with a tent very similar to mine. My setup for fans and heat are the same.
https://youtu.be/ONB_jFRpyRc?si=Giv2O3Mp7eawJYYr

[greyblackfish]

Thanks Dusty!

[greyblackfish]

Mugsie, I don’t mean to keep hijacking your thread but I don’t feel my posts warrant their own it’s all the same topic.

I just ordered off Amazon a quick budget setup for winter. I just need the temperature to go up a few degrees at night making sure it doesn’t get below 65 F so the items don’t need to be the very best. I know there have been objections to the barrina lights but they have been fine for me in the past. I’ll only need them temporarily and then I will donate them to my husband’s workshop.

My only concern is the heat that will be trapped inside the tent in the afternoon. It will take some close monitoring. Another nice tool I forgot to order is the Amazon smart plug. They’re great for when I’m out of town.

I will post again when I have the setup.