Preparing plants for the winter
 

I live in North Eastern PA and we're beginning to move into the winter duldroms. Cloudy, rainy dreary days. In fact this last week it rained every day.

I am in the process of moving my plants from an outside unheated 2.5 season GH, to indoors on shelves, windowsills etc. I'm using some cheap Fiet lights to provide supplemental light.

What comments, suggestions or thoughts might you have concerning the move and over wintering? One issue I usually run into are ants that have made nests in various pots. Then thinking they've won a vacation trip, start migrating to other pots. They also harvest mealybugs, so eliminating the ants goes a long way in keeping the mealy population down. What has your experience been with ants, if any, and how did you eliminate them?

Comments? Suggestions?
Stay well people....

Yep.

Prior to the move indoors, put your plants through a pest removal regimen to make sure there are no interlopers.

I’ve had the most success by preventing ants from reaching my plants altogether. I put the legs of my outdoor plant table in dishes of water and keep them filled. Works just like a castle moat.

Otherwise, pick an orchid-safe pesticide that kills ants and soak all the pots for a while. Soapy water can work but it’s not my first choice for ants.

Thank you Dimples.
(For some reason when I hit the thanks reply, it does nothing. I don't know why.)

I brought my tropical plants inside the first week of September. I examined them and they looked good so, after they were on the shelves where the dogs cannot get into them, I sprinkled a Spinosad product in each pot to get rid of pill bugs. I also set out ant baits as there are always ants but the Spinosad product works on ants, too, and they are gone.

I do still have a pot of saffron crocuses, a purple pitcher plant and some Venus Fly traps outside which will come inside when it gets cold.

Hopping onto this post with more questions. I’ve got some plants that may need some heating, fans, and lights. Everyone says it’ll be a cold winter. I’ve got a dowiana cross that intimidates me. My windows aren’t going to be enough for light. Anyone working with one of those chicken heaters? Should I get a mini greenhouse or something?

If you are talking about a greenhouse outside, I'm not much help. If you are talking about bringing the plants in, depending on how many and how big, there are grow tents of various sizes that can be set up indoors, if you have the room. Lights and at least seedling heat mats are a must, unless you keep your house warm. My current tent is 5x5x6.5ft. If the temps indoors go below 60f I will add a heater/fan on a thermostat.

I grow on an upstairs sleeping porch now, which is all windows and unheated. When it gets around December and the cold REALLY sets in I use a tower heater now.

Ants... I mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar and leave a couple jar lids of it around. They loooove it and take it back to the nest. Cheap and safe ant killer.

I wish I knew that recipe for killing ants...I used to soak all my pots in water or use Sevin (the old formula). That seems so much better. I was just glad that the stuff I am using for the pill bugs worked on the ants, too.

Thank you for the input! I’ve found some on Amazon that are inexpensive. Yes I will be keeping my orchids inside. Somehow the idea that I can put my orchids directly onto these blows my mind. I’m starting to wonder what other warm loving orchids could benefit. Maybe my seedlings. :lol:

---------- Post added at 07:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 PM ----------

Sadly my windows will not be enough for light requirements. So now I will need more lights. But I’d rather not lose some orchids to the cold this year. Also great input for ant killer. E do have some of those lurking around my house. Thank you!