Cattleya Minimum Temps

[brsucculents]

Does anyone know of a list of minimum temperatures for Cattleya species?
Randy

[Roy]

It depends greatly on the species but I have successfully grown Catt' species & hybrids down to
5c without damage for years.

[dounoharm]

I kept my greenhouse at 55 degrees during the winter months and everything grew quite well....last year I cut it down to 50 degrees and everything was fine, but I noticed the growth was slowed some...so I think above 55 is optimum...good luck!

[tucker85]

I don't know of a list of minimum temperatures for different species. In South Florida my cattleyas stay outdoors all year. They tolerate temperatures into the mid 40s F for short periods. I think I would protect them from temperatures that will be below 50 F for an extended period of time. Cold winds can be especially damaging to cattleyas. In Florida, growers protect cattleyas from the wind if the temperature is going to fall below 50 F.

[GardenTheater]

The vendor called Santa Barbara Orchid Estatate specializes in orchids that can tolerate temperature extremes. If you ask about a specific plant, they can usually tell you how much cold it can survive if it's on their website. Some specific species are not bothered by short spells of low night time temps. My Laelia pumila was out during several spells when nighttime temps dropped to 33F. It bloomed this year and is doing well. Laelia anceps can withstand frosts, however it's blooms might freeze, but the plant will be fine. Santa Barbara had L. anceps in an unheated greenhouse that went down to 22F and they made it through. I haven't seen a list like you requested but we might start one here. My entries for cold tolerant Catts:
L. anceps
L. pumila

[No-Pro-mwa]

I am liking this one as my house will get very low at night and perk up when the sun is shining threw the windows. I have gotten some new catts and brass and that family and I am hopping they will do well.

When it is real cold and I guess it hasn't really gotten there yet, but I am running an electric heater pointed at them.

[brsucculents]

Well it got down to 41/43 last night (it was only suppose to be 46) her in Baton Rouge. Hopefully nothing dies. Thanks for everyone who responded to the post. If anything does die, I'll be sure to cuss you.... I mean up date this post with the cold tolerance info. Garden Theater - Good idea to use the group for scientific observation. It amazes me that an Cat can take 22 degrees.

---------- Post added at 10:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 AM ----------

Let me ask a related question. If it gets cold, do Cats go into a dormant state that takes a long time to break like Vandas?

[WaterWitchin]

If 'tis of help, I finally brought all catts in a week ago, after two nights of 28F, preceded by a couple of weeks of nights hovering between low to mid thirties (F). They're all doing just fine; however, they're also used to my abuse.

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

I am liking this one as my house will get very low at night and perk up when the sun is shining threw the windows. I have gotten some new catts and brass and that family and I am hopping they will do well.

When it is real cold and I guess it hasn't really gotten there yet, but I am running an electric heater pointed at them.

No-Pro-mwa, I only had about 10 nights down to 33F. Don't know if they can survive and grow with more than that. Let us know how they do.

---------- Post added at 09:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 AM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

If 'tis of help, I finally brought all catts in a week ago, after two nights of 28F, preceded by a couple of weeks of nights hovering between low to mid thirties (F). They're all doing just fine; however, they're also used to my abuse.

That is great to hear. I'm trying a few more hybrids outside this year and was wondering when they might need some heat. I ran out of room in my 2 indoor grow windows and now am growing outside.