More cold weather panic setting in! - Orchid Board

Ranchnanny · #1 01-26-2009, 09:57 PM

I have all my orchids out in the new GH and things have been going well enough. BUT! the weather seems to be getting colder at night and the temp is down right now in the GH to 58 degrees. How cold can I let it get in there? Got 2 heaters 1500 watts each in there.

Sheridan

cb977 · #2 01-26-2009, 10:05 PM

When I have to put the chids in their room for a cold night, I set the thermostat on the heater to 50-52...you're fine

Ranchnanny · #3 01-26-2009, 10:17 PM

I just came back in from the GH and some of the leaves on some Phals. are softer.

I have had the electrictian put elect. to the GH two 120 outlets plus the extension I have from the potting shed. I can't seem to find a heater that works well enough. Ugh! I will probably sleep with one eye open tongiht....

Thanks Susanne

Sheridan

cb977 · #4 01-26-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

I just came back in from the GH and some of the leaves on some Phals. are softer.

I have had the electrictian put elect. to the GH two 120 outlets plus the extension I have from the potting shed. I can't seem to find a heater that works well enough. Ugh! I will probably sleep with one eye open tongiht....

Thanks Susanne

Sheridan

I know my low temps (last week we went down to 27 at my house!) don't compare to what you get out there but if your GH is 58 degrees, that's 8 degrees higher than mine is!

...and my heater is a portable heater with the option to set a temperature, which sits in the center of the room and the gauge reads 50 when I look at it...but I also know that it doesn't reach the far corners of a 10x28 room and I've had absolutely no problems with anything getting too cold in there.

Could there be drafts getting in and directly hitting those Phals?

Ranchnanny · #5 01-26-2009, 10:46 PM

Susanne I caulked all the cracks around the doors. I guess I am just paranoid...Thanks

Sheridan

vmax3000 · #6 02-23-2009, 10:17 AM

For those of you with GHs (sorry Evan...soon enough, though, right??

), what sort of heaters are you using? If you don't mind, detail your successes and failures. I am curious. My little bathroom heater has done wonders in my little 10 by 12. But, when it gets cold, like in the twenties and thirties (yeah, I know, wimpy cold to the Northerners), I have resorted to burning a propane fueled heater, with less than spectacular results. My flowers have been fading much faster than I would have expected (ethylene by product, I think). When I use the other bathroom heater, I have to turn the fan off for fear of blowing the GFI (ground fault interupt) and besides, it's expensive. So, what has worked for you and what hasn't?
Thanks.

Sheridan,
I know that my hibiscus in the garage don't get any heating, but survive and it has something to do with direct frost contact. I am drawing a blank (not enough coffee, maybe) as to what that effect is called. Most of the hardier orchids can withstand fairly cold temps without much ill effect if they are protected. Phals, I believe, are a different story altogether. Can someone expand on this, if I am headed in the right direction??
Hang in there, regardless!

greenbean · #7 01-26-2009, 10:18 PM

Hang in there Sheridan! I'll be shivering right along with you. It was -11 this morning!

I'm sure you're chids will be fine. Make sure to let us know!

Ranchnanny · #8 01-26-2009, 10:20 PM

Evan in an 8 x 7.5 GH are two heaters enough 1500 Watts each?

Sheridan

greenbean · #9 01-26-2009, 10:32 PM

Sorry Sheridan, I was mostly just trying to show my support. My bad.

I do have a friend with a greenhouse that I believe is 6 x 8 and all she uses is a tiny bathroom heater. Although that's in a warmer area (coldest I've ever seen was maybe 14 degrees F). I was also sort've going by what Sue said. Sorry, sorry, sorry!

I'll be rooting for you though!

Ranchnanny · #10 01-26-2009, 10:34 PM

Not to worry Greenbean I thought you had a GH

Sheridan