HERE COMES THE COLD SO. FLA!!!!

[cb977]

I think you made the right choice, Roly...I lock the chids up in their room with the heater anytime the temps are going to be below 50. The exception to this is that I usually leave the Cyms out on the lanai but with temps going as low as I'm expecting here, they're also staying nice and toasty tonight.

Most of the other chids would probably do fine if I didn't panic at the number 50...but why take a chance?

[peeweelovesbooks]

I'm leaving them outside, with the exception of my Phal. gigantea. I just have too many and not enough room! I have 1 phal in a 16" basket and about 5 NOIDS in another 16" basket, 2 swampsticks, a vanda that's taller than I am.... and other plants that are too big to keep inside. LOL Having said that, if it gets colder I can be persuaded to bring some inside.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by lobsterman

Thanks Gin and Susanne. I now have 3/4 of a rainforest and 1/2 a farm in my kitchen, living room and daughter's room (she's away in college).
ORCHIDS, TOMATOES AND PEPPERS...OH MY!!!!

Ross.. Good luck brother, cuz as for me, I've got BOTH t-shirts on and I'm still chilly!!!!!

I'm sittin here with one t-shirt and the furnace is blasting But we nawtheners skip the coats and go for the fleese.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by cb977

I think you made the right choice, Roly...I lock the chids up in their room with the heater anytime the temps are going to be below 50. The exception to this is that I usually leave the Cyms out on the lanai but with temps going as low as I'm expecting here, they're also staying nice and toasty tonight.

Most of the other chids would probably do fine if I didn't panic at the number 50...but why take a chance?

Please be watchful of our Masdies. I know they like really cool temps, but 20s? Not sure on that number.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by Ross

Please be watchful of our Masdies. I know they like really cool temps, but 20s? Not sure on that number.

Oh no...the Masdies are always inside, in the tank.

Even with them being warmth-tolerant, I wouldn't think they'd survive the real heat here

[susiep]

Hey, Lobsterman. I am in Weston and I am worried about the temp drop, too. I have too many plants to move inside now so I just wrapped the shade house in blue tarps. That will keep the wind off. I am thinking about possibly getting a little space heater if it really is going below 40 . I have never done that before. Just how cold is it supposed to get?

[Roly0217]

Susie tonight it's supposed to be 40 here in my area and tomorrow it will be 39. After that it would go back to the low 50s

[Sandy4453]

I just got done taking in about 150 orchids. They're all over the living room, family room, the kitchen counters are all covered, on the stove top, in the sinks, have them hanging from the glass shelves, bathroom windows....I'm exhausted. And, I've got a vegetarian cat who loves orchids....

lobsterman, I'm right near you and they're predicting night temps in the low 30's until Friday.

[Swamper]

WOW you guys are awesome and devoted. I am leaving them all outside. I'll let you know if any die. I am curious anyway as to whaat they can handle, and if I bring them in Ill always wonder what would have happened if I had left them out. LOL that sounds crazy even to me.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by lobsterman

Anyone not in South Florida please excuse us, but we might make it down to 40 degrees tonight!!! Which for us might as well be a blizzard.

So anyway, are any of my neighbors out there taking evasive action like I am?

I brought every one of my orchids inside other than 1 phal that is in too big of a "housing" and my monster vanda.

Should I be this worried?
What are the temperature limits on orchids? (Or is that too broad of a question)?

I'm a "worry wart" and try to bring my chids inside if the temp. is expected to get below 48 degrees because the weather guy can always be off a few degrees. I also take the wind chill into consideration. Back in November we had one night where the thermometer dropped to 32 degrees for a few hours. Unfortunately, I was unable to bring my plants in that night and they did suffer some damage. The ones in bud lost some blooms and all the Vandaceous types suffered cosmetic damage by developing tiny black dots on their leaves. The Dendrobiums and thin leaved Oncidiums were unscathed which really surprised me.