Cattleya night time temps in California?
 

Just starting to wonder about my Orchids, with winter starting to close in.

Southern California, it does get really cold at times. But usually one rarely needs a jacket.

I have a ton of Cattleya and Laelia in my greenhouse, it is unheated.

It rained all night long last night, and I noticed this morning that the temps in there were hovering just a hair below 60 degrees. Day time temps are generally decent, the GH is going to add 20degrees to that during the day, so it's just overnight that worries me.

Seems to me I read not below 60 somewhere.

I was thinking that I might need to buy some kind of heater for the GH like, right away? Probably go cheap and buy a space heater from Home Depot to get me by for the moment and set it to go off if temps drop below 60.

Unfortunately, there are FAAAAAR to many plants for me to bring into the house.

Thoughts anyone?


Thanks

Hi there. I live in Memphis, TN where we get all 4 seasons. I have a shadehouse which we seal up with Visqueen for the winter.

Right now we are dipping into the low 40s at night so we are just using a small utility heater that was $20 from Lowes. Below are the specs for this year's model. Last year's model (which we bought) was 1300W and 1500W. (as FYI - Home Depot carries the 1300W/1500W model this year for $2 cheaper under the brand Milkhouse)

De'Longhi Compact Electric Heater
Item #: 125497 | Model #: DUH500L - 2010 model.

* Perfect for many applications, this all-metal portable utility heater with roll bars ensures durability and safety
* Two heat flow settings - choose the high setting (1500 watts) or low setting (825 watts).
* Adjustable thermostat lets you easily select and maintain a desired level of comfort
* If the unit becomes too warm, it automatically turns off no need to worry about overheating

We bought 2 of these last fall for the winter and besides being cheap, they are durable, reliable, and safe. On the highest setting, one unit keeps the GH about 10-15 degrees warmer than the outside temperature (when the outside temps are no lower than 40F).

I believe that one of these units would work in your situation. If your temps drop below 30F, then 2 units would probably be needed. Now these are space heaters so you will need to check your circuit load. I keep the heaters on separate circuits.

When we get into the deep frost icy winter of January and February, we add a single element propane heater (refillable tank).

Good luck.

I have mainly Cattleyas and a few Laelias. Many times they are exposed to temps around 38 degrees in the winter. As long as they are on the drier side they will do okay. Now having said that there are Cattleyas that do not like to be that cold it really depends on what you grow.

In SF bay area mine are still outside - had a couple chilly nights with overnight low in the lower 40s
Some stay out year round except for the coldest nights (mid 30s and less), but it depends on the species or parentage, and maybe less than ideal for some. But I don't think 50s should be a concern for any - (we get nights in the mid to upper 50s in summer here)

mostly stuff like Laelia Anceps and some hybrids of anceps.

C. Orchidglade, C. Amethystoglossa, C. Aurantiaca

makes up most of it. Oh and some Doritis.

All of them are in S/H pots, so the moisture is whatever they are wicking between watering.

My initial concern was from reading not below 60, and going yuck. I'm going to go below 60 easily. Doubtful I'll actually go below 40.

I presume based on feedback, that a decent space heater should be sufficient.

I don't know about some of the ones you listed - but I believe aurantiaca probably doesn't like getting too cold (like below upper-mid 40s for short periods)

anceps on the other hand can easily take short periods at or just below freezing ... my anceps stays outside with the cyms all year
tho - in s/h - I can't advise - tho I am sure some others can. I have read anceps likes to be on the dry-ish side in winter ...

I don't grow in a g/h, but do know someone who does in my area, and she uses a space heater. Myself - I'm kinda scared of space heaters if I'm not there, but I know plenty of people use them in green houses

I grow mainly in s/h and will advise that the hydroton makes the pots cooler by at least 5 degrees when they are wet (think of getting rained on when it is 50F vs 70F...it feels a lot colder).

I think a space heater would work fine for you.

C. amethystoglossa will tolerate it down to 50 F. Below that and they don't do so well.

Hi I live in California and my orchids are all in benches outside with Saran on top of the benches. The orchids could stand a lot of abuse. I don't know if inside the green house it's different but when it rains it is actually warmer. I'm more to southern ca.
Monique

Cold and semi-hydroponics is not a particularly good combination.

I would certainly keep phalaenopsis above 60°, but catts can probably handle lower without too much issue.