Moving from Zone 10a to Zone 7a

[marie458]

This summer I'll be making a big move from S. Florida (Zone 10a) to western North Carolina (Zone 7b). Zone 10a is subtropical and the majority of my orchid collection is comprised of subtropical/tropical plants. So, I've been able to grow my heat- and humidity-loving orchids outdoors in my garden year round. Zone 7b is a temperate zone. I'll only be able to grow fully outdoors for part of the year.

Marie's Orchid Garden, S. Florida Zone 10a



I still plan to establish an outdoor orchid garden up in NC. My plan includes adding a greenhouse near the garden (for shelter and for control of temperature, humidity, light, etc. during the winter months). I'll also have a large indoor growing space available is needed.

Has anyone else made a change in location similar to the one I'm making this summer? If so, I'd sincerely appreciate any extra tips, tricks or advice that'll help make the reestablishment of my orchid collection successful.

[Dimples]

I recently moved from San Diego (9b) to Washington state (8b). Not quite as dramatic, but a long trip and big adjustment. My best advice, really thin the herd. Pull out the irreplaceable favorites and set them aside. Then purge.

[Louis_W]

I haven't moved but I live in zone 7. Albuquerque also get extremely hot so I don't put the plant outside at all.

[Keysguy]

almost 10 years ago I did just the opposite. I went from 5b to 11b.

Your move is not nearly as dramatic climate wise but depending on your collection, the plants may think it is.

I eventually lost all of my cool-intermediate growers but my warm to hot plants got to thrive. With some experimenting I have had some success with intermediate - warm growers like phrags and zygos.

Unless you plan to invest in a tight, well equipped greenhouse substantial enough to house large heat loving tropicals for 6 months of the year, be prepared to see them "barely survive" or possibly perish. Plants like vanda's are darn near impossible to grow well in a home. You just can't keep the humidity high enough in the winter. Temp, humidity and consistent light coveted by warm growers will be a constant battle.

Do the best you can with what you can provide and eventually your collection will morph into what wants to live in those conditions.

[WaterWitchin]

Wise words KeysGuy. I've lived in Kansas my entire life, other than a year or so. My "move" came about five? years ago and my "zone" really changed. Used to be an outside six months, inside six months in my basement (The Batcave) grower, give or take a month here and there. Went from 88-100F+ summers to 68F winters in a humid grow light environment.

Reached the point where the ability to climb stairs hauling plants twice a year went from cumbersome to couldn't do it. Moved growing to a second story "sleeping porch" or "sunroom." A three sided all windows porch off the south side of my house. Still use lights as well. Can choose to do outside temps in summer, but usually close windows and open a door to the inside when it gets into the 90s then supplement humidity a little. Winter temps never go below 65 with door to inside open and a little electric space heater and more supplemental humidity.

I was surprised at how some plants that had thrived in the old regime went to just survive in the new environment. And some that were "okay" growers suddenly thrived in the new climate. The past five years, indeed my plant choices have slowly evolved depending on that new environment to thrive and not just survive. It's a lot more fun to grow things that thrive. I guess my best advice is embrace the new climate and culture, and don't try to recreate something that can only mimic an environment where you used to be. A lot less stressful overall and not as costly.