Weatherproofing

[Highland Fashionista]

Hello again everyone. First of all, thanks to all of you senior members and experts that take the time to help us noobs find our way. We'd be lost without you.

I live in the Scottish west highlands, where it is cool and damp at the best of times. This time of year through March, average temperatures range between lows of 36 degrees to highs of about 45. That's between 3-8 Celsius (I can't think in metric units for temp...I'm an American, what can I say?...old dog, new tricks, etc.)

I am planning on a trip mid February and again in March, a little less than a week for each. I have purchased a seedling heat mat in the hopes that with some insulating measures, I can keep my Phals at a more comfortable temp while I am away and the heat is off. They sit in a west window, though this time of year the light is quite weak, and they seem to like it. Most are recovering box store rescues (overly ambitious, I know...but a great learning curve as well.)

Is this foolish? Will they be okay? Only one is in bloom at present, the rest are resting and have had their spikes cut down to try to grow more roots. I am still waiting for my temperature and humidity gauge to come in the mail, so hopefully I will have time to do a dry run before long...

[Bud]

Invest in a small portable electric heater and a small electric fan that will spread heat on the table at the same time provide air circulation. The cold damp will turn to steam providing humidity. Watering in the cold months can be at weekly intervals but make sure to really drench it under the sink before you leave....you may think you have weak light but that will be fine....ideally, to induce blooms you want this to have 80F in the day and 50F at night with longer exposure to light....36F is freezing for most orchids and it might die; remember these are tropical plants and in their environment the coldest can be 50F

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Bud

Invest in a small portable electric heater and a small electric fan that will spread heat on the table at the same time provide air circulation. The cold damp will turn to steam providing humidity. Watering in the cold months can be at weekly intervals but make sure to really drench it under the sink before you leave....you may think you have weak light but that will be fine....ideally, to induce blooms you want this to have 80F in the day and 50F at night with longer exposure to light....36F is freezing for most orchids and it might die; remember these are tropical plants and in their environment the coldest can be 50F

If I lived in your climate I'd have the largest collection of Dendrobium cuthbertsoni I could afford! There are lots of orchids and other cool plants like Ultra Highland Nepenthes Pitchers that would LOVE your cold but not freezing winters and cool damp summers. Something to think about for the future!

[Highland Fashionista]

So far, my plan is to use my heat mat, which came yesterday, and insulate the surrounding area really well, and create a little plastic tent over the top to make a wee greenhouse. Going to need to think about circulation though......I like your heat fan idea, but am a bit worried about leaving something like that running.

[Leafmite]

Keep it safe, whatever you do. No need to burn one's house down over orchids. A power strip with safety features might be a good idea (we have one in our kitchen and it shuts off if there is a problem, i.e. when my daughter tries to run too many appliances at once).

[Highland Fashionista]

Exactly. That's why I went with the heat mat in the end. They are pretty low wattage, from what I understand on the packaging.

[Leafmite]

For less than a week, you won't need a fan. Just make certain that when you water before leaving, you don't get water on the leaves. Keep it simple and safe. Good luck!