Expected temperature drop
 

So, since the weather has been so nice I took many of my orchids out - specifically those that could withstand temperatures into the low 55F range and lower. When I did it, I knew we were not past the frost date and things might change - and they have.

Starting tomorrow, temperatures are expected to drop to 51F then 40F as the lows with 72F and 57F as the highs. The projected temperatures go between 45F and 51F as low's after that in the 10 day forcast.

So, I'm assuming that I should bring everything in that "on average" cannot take anything below 45F. "On average" refers to the Baker culture sheets average temperature for the months or general recommendations people have given me.

Yeah, this is me being lazy and not wanting to bring them back in! LOL... They look so great outside!!!

Ohio will be dropping into the thirties at night so I will be lugging in some plants. The only orchid out there is a den king. It has already been dropping into the low 40'F's here. Still, we have been really fortunate.

I leave a lot of my orchids outside in winter, I'm sure many of them are taking low temps a fair amount lower than what would be recommended. They're sheltered. Spikes grow very slowly lol. But I might be concerned if they aren't acclimated - like if they've been inside only going down to 60 or mid 50s, and then suddenly drop to 40 overnight ... :dunno: Do you have a garage they can maybe go into for just the coldest nights? (My outside ones get moved to garage if there's a chance of freezing - probably not much warmer in the garage, but better than being out I think)

these temp swings are messing around my fruit trees, let alone the orchids. I have a greengage plum that was COVERED in flowers, and that's after 7 years of no flowers/fruit. With temps below 32, I am hoping that I will still get some plums. I suppose thats karma as I threatened to chop it out last year. I was talking to a neighbour and the plum tree must have heard me !

Lol... Yes, they were not hardened off yet being they were only out for about a week or do. So, for the sake of my 'chids I got off my lazy bum and moved them back in, lol...

Ya, I think getting into the low 40's for unacclimated plants might be pushing your luck a bit.

On the other hand, I actually did that last year with my plants and only my Catt. violacea suffered. You will end up seeing some spots on your leaves, but no detrimental damage. Maybe try it with some of your more hardy plants? This time of the year can be a pain on outdoor growers because of the fluctuating temps!!

This spring has been interesting. The different types of fruit trees/shrubs have bloomed one at a time. My sour cherries are currently nearly finished blooming and my apples are beginning to bloom. Unfortunately, we are to have a few cooler days...bees don't cold (40'F).
Orchidsarefun, how old is the plum tree and do you spray it? We spray our plum, apricot, sweet cherry, and peachtrees for the clear winged bore moth and, later, all of them for insects and fungus. Only the sour cherry trees don't need sprayed.

I feel for those struggling with a rather finicky spring weather pattern. For me, though, this is business as usual. Of course I write to this board whilst sitting in the blazing sun pouring through my patio door reminiscing of the fact that only a week ago today we had 88f weather and only 5 days ago did we have a foot of heavy wet snow falling upon us. I grew up back east but have lived in the shadows of these great rocky mountains for going on 7 years now and plainly put, the only "usual" I have is the "unusual." It is frustrating, to be sure, when the season cannot decide if it'll bring life or death, rain or snow but as a resident of these mountains I can tell you this...never in my life have I been able to enjoy the present than any other time in my life. For what's here today is sure to be gone tomorrow. Thankfully, this latest swing from summer to winter was nothing more than a storm to coax our sleeping buds awake. Snow is possible all year round here, and when you begin to count on the unaccountable there is something liberating about it.

Something else this place has taught me is that growing in such a dynamic climate can sometimes yield a result no one ever intended. Some of my most amazing gardening accomplishments are the result of growing in unintended conditions. Flowers blooming with vivid intense colors, blooms our of season when I can't get blooms during season... The list goes on. I feel for my eastern brethren when it comes to the wild and unpredictable weather you all have had but you will adapt and I bet you'll find some cool news things while doing it.

One thing is certain, life has an intention to continue. Those that fail to change may die, but even in the most extreme cases, I have witnessed life continue when I thought for sure it could not. Highland plants have taught me that...such extremes met with such strong will.

I would say its about 8.5 yrs old in total - its a HD special and I was advised at the time that it would fruit @ 3 yrs. And then I started reading up about greengages and how unpredictable the fruiting is. Well I can vouch for that, I'm just hoping that I get at least 1 fruit that I can share ! Its a semi dwarf, but at least 11 ft tall now. I haven't ever sprayed, but used a systemic insecticide which worked with japanese beetles. I am wary of spraying because I have a big garden and have mantis and bumblebees, I don't mind systemic for leaf eaters, also worked on my grapevine. Would never use on flowers - I did use on my butternut and cucumbers because of beetles and squashbugs.
Don't get mantis if you are squeamish, they are eating machines and always manage to catch butterflies around about Sept.