Cattleya survived frost
 

Cattleya (Laelia) pumila is now in bud. I've had the mounted one outdoors for a year now and only took into garage when temps dropped to freezing in the winter and then put it back outside for 33F and up days. It was even outside one night when temps unexpectedly went to 32F/0C. Looked fine the next day. It is getting too much sun and I need to move it a bit. Where I grow it, temp change is gradual. I'm in zone 9. Before I looked at the SBOE website, I used to think all Catts needed to be kept above 60F. I'm learning.:D
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/9...62dbef9c05.jpg
Cattleya (Laelia) pumilas in bud outdoors by Gardentheater, on Flickr

I live in Texas I love those unexpected temp drops....Not!.... Great job!! Maybe you will get a beautiful spike!

Thanks for the support. The weather sure makes growing "interesting".

Yes it does the joke here is you get all 4 seasons in one week sometimes. Lol, we got some rain today that will help with my humidity needs for the next few days. :-)

That makes for an exciting week. Good thing mother nature is looking after your humidity while you get your indoor orchid hotel setup;)

Exactly. Im thinking now of getting some cheaper stacking shelves and and then using shower curtains to cover and help with the humidity needs

I've had the temp drop thing happen in New Jersey. Sometimes I don't even realize it until i go look at the pergola and find sunburned leaves if it gets too hot. Even my oncidiums have survived temp drops in the low 40's. But it's time to bring them in!

:)

I grow my cattleyas outdoors in Florida where they get weather in the 40's each winter. They even seem to bloom better in the year following a cold winter. I don't like to let them get below 45 and I also protect them from wind during the winter. Cold winds seem to do the most damage.

Do you get an occasional freeze? What do you do? Wish we didn't:). I have a little ceramic heater and thermostat ordered for the ones that can't take a freeze and they are in a pop-up greenhouse now. A farm supply company makes an inexpensive thermostat that turns on/off the heat at 40F or 50F...don't recall exact temp...whatever works for chickens LOL. This is the first year I'm trying this setup out.