All cold on the uk side of the pond!! - Orchid Board

Hedge · #1 11-30-2010, 04:42 PM

Well, the snow has arrived very early here, I wondered how many other OB readers are already having to turn up the green house heating, or move precious plants to avoid the frost?

or like me, are fretting about whether or not the differential between the house and the green house might do more harm than good. My lowest outdoors temperature has been -7.8 C, my lowest greenhouse temp has been -1 when I forgot to adjust the heating, but it is mostly succulents and cacti, just four cymbidiums which are spiking (but they are wrapped in fleece)

Advice, your experiences and weather updates - all are of interest to me!

Happy December

Heather

camille1585 · #2 11-30-2010, 04:51 PM

My mom brought the Cyms and Den kingianum off the balcony for good, it's cold and snowy in Lyon. I wrap them up in freeze cloth (whatever it's called in english) and they stay outside until it goes a few degrees below freezing, unless the cyms are spiking.

Up here in the Netherlands we have a nice coating of snow (by dutch standards) and the temp is going down to -9°C (15°F) tomorrow. On top of that it's very very windy, so once you factor in the windchill it's something like -25°C (-13°F)

And I have to bike to and from work in this weather. With the wind and icy bike paths, it's treacherous! One colleague bikes 40km round trip to go to work. That's what I call being brave!! Dutch and their bikes is something I'll never completely understand!

Hedge · #3 11-30-2010, 05:05 PM

About thirty years ago, I cycled everywhere. One day, in a rush to wrk, I slipped in behind a car, and flicked the back wheel over a patch of black ice. To make matters worse, I fell on my house keys which were in coat pocket. That bruise was something! At least I bounced back in those days. Now I'd probably break something....
Take care on your bike!

Still at least the dog likes going out and rolling in the eight inches we have had so far

camille1585 · #4 11-30-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hedge

About thirty years ago, I cycled everywhere. One day, in a rush to wrk, I slipped in behind a car, and flicked the back wheel over a patch of black ice. To make matters worse, I fell on my house keys which were in coat pocket. That bruise was something! At least I bounced back in those days. Now I'd probably break something....
Take care on your bike!

Still at least the dog likes going out and rolling in the eight inches we have had so far

8 inches????

seriously?? wow. We had less than an inch! I don't usually associate the UK with snow!

RosieC · #5 11-30-2010, 05:12 PM

It really is cold isn't it. My outdoor thermometer registered -9C over the weekend. My greenhouse got down to 0C for about 20min when I forgot the door (really don't know how I could do that in these temps but there we go) it's generally getting a min of 5C though which is what I'm aiming for.

Like you I've had to adjust the heating. I have a really low level 180W heater which just gently lifts the temp, but it's just not been enough this week. So I've had to start using the second more powerful heater.

At the end of October hubby and I lined the greenhouse with the bubble wrap (large bubble stuff) and that really helps keep the heat in.

How is the snow around you? We've just had a thin covering here despite the really low temps. The main problem has been ice on the roads which means the slightest use of the brakes causes skidding. Where my sister is down south it was so deep tonight she couldn't drive home. Luckily it's just within walking distance... she just hasn't been walking because she's imminently about to go on maternity leave. Her hubby was really sweat and walked in to where she works so he could accompany her on the walk home.

RosieC · #6 11-30-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

8 inches????

seriously?? wow. We had less than an inch! I don't usually associate the UK with snow!

Ah, I missed the reference to 8inches of snow. As far as I can tell, both the North and South are bad, while the Midlands where I am is not so bad (we've got less than an inch here). As far as I can tell where my sister is in the south they've had more like 4" but the roads have become gridlocked as a result.

Hedge · #7 11-30-2010, 05:24 PM

Well, in total eight inches since Saturday morning, but it has snowed pretty continuously since it got dark tonight, so who knows?? We have had a slight thaw today so now it is freezing up again and tomorrow's driving will be hazardous to say the least, Being on the east coast, we catch it straight from the north sea. My daughter's college was closed on Monday (probably while they gritted the paths betweeen buildings after the w/e) opened today but closed at lunch time over travelling cooncerns for the more distant students and members of staff, and is closed again tomorrow!!

fortunately, my husband can work from home for a few days at a time. He normally drives 15 miles each way, it takes him twice as long when it'slike this

nenella · #8 11-30-2010, 05:32 PM

Hi all,
I have just left Europe and am now in 'sunny Kenya'
I was in Amsterdam yesterday and I have to say it was REALLY cold compared to the W Atlantic coast of France! We were supposed to stay in Amsterdam all day But ended up going back to the airport as just too cold! Camille you mentioning Bikes made me smile... I don't think I have ever seen so many bikes 'parked up ' together in my life !!! an amazing sight! - more bikes than in China?

Well, hope it does not get much colder for you all!
Some of my mums orchids are in flower & are Amazing ... like alot of us I wish I lived in the tropics....

I'll post some pics tomorrow or the next day
ciao

Hedge · #9 11-30-2010, 05:51 PM

Kenya??? SOOOO jealous! Have a good holiday!

nenella · #10 12-01-2010, 05:28 PM

Thanks Heather!
I didn't get around to taking pics today - I'll try & have a go tomorrow..
she has some supr specimen plants of Coelogyne massangeana, Onc sphacelatum & few others in flower.