Wintering Neos where there is little true winter

[paph-neo nut]

I've noted several members mentioning getting their Neos ready for winter. How do you determine when to start their winter rest. Here in Louisiana there isn't a long true winter. It will be Nov for cool,Jan for some cold and warming by Mar/Apr. Any and all advice will be welcomed.

[Leafmite]

I live where there is a real winter so I don't think I can help much but mine don't really experience winter as they live indoors during the winter at around 64'F. The root tips stop growing and they rest until spring (less watering). Each summer, I faithfully get flowers. I have never tried exposing mine to the cold temperatures that many recommend. I really didn't know that anything had to be done to prepare them for winter except to carry them inside and find a sunny spot to hang them. Hope someone else can help.

[MattWoelfsen]

There are a couple of veteran Neofinetia folks like LinhT and sajalala who I hope will opine. LinhT lives in Minnesota and sajalala I think lives in British Columbia, Canada. They have had Neos for many years. Me on the other hand, I'm a newbie compared to them. BUT I have done a lot of research, plus I am going to visit New World Orchids, who are located in Manchester, Michigan. That is one of the questions I'll ask them--thanks Paph-neo for bringing this up.

I think with you in Louisiana, winter is not quite so cold as NE Indiana or Michigan. So there won't be a problem with my Neofinetia getting enough coldness to set them at their winter rest.

This is what I understand is "Winter rest": 1) Daytime temperatures average around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit, and night time temperature around 50-55. Water will be minimal, going almost dry consistently. High humidity, bright winter sun (not direct). No feeding.

I'll confirm that with the good folks @ New World Orchids! THANK you so much for asking!

[Jayfar]

Just for a reference, here's Baton Rouge, LA normal highs and lows throughout the year from wunderground.com.

Average High/Low Temperatures for KBTR : Weather Underground

Looks like you might be safe putting them outdoors for the winter, as long as there are no critters that might eat them. You would still need to watch out for record cold forecasts, but they should be okay down into the 30s.

In lieu of that, put them at a window cracked open (maybe in a clear enclosure or tent, if low humidity is an issue there). If you are using any artificial lighting, you will probably want to reduce the hours to approximate the shorter day length too.

EDITED TO ADD:

Also refer to Dr. Lehr's sticky thread here from 5 years ago, but you probably already read that.

Originally Posted by Fuukiran

Winter temperatures go down below 30F - but this is not recommended for culture! Temps can be anywhere from 45 to 65 at night, with an increase in the daytime of about 10F.

[paph-neo nut]

Thanks, Jayfar. I got a good size rodent cage with 2 shelves to put my Neos in outside, to protect them from the squirrels. I haven't moved them out there yet as summer here is hot and wet. Days are still hot but it's felt a little cooler(that is less hot) in the mornings of late, so I may move them to a shady spot outside soon. They get heat and good sun now in the window but I don't want to shock them with heat or light.
I will find and read the sticky you mentioned.

[AnonYMouse]

I don't have a proper winter either. I think I only had 3 or 4 Neos last winter, I left them in my unheated bathroom. On the coldest nights with the lights left on, it got to 57°F, average was 60°F. Still got flowers.

I'm probably wrong, since I haven't looked into it, but my gut feeling is that a big temp drop (down to 30's-40's) isn't necessary. A temp drop is needed to trigger dormancy and as long as it doesn't significantly warm up (because that would trigger it coming out of dormancy), the plant should still flower.

[s.kallima]

The plants should tell you when to start slowing down on watering, roots will stop growing, their tips will turn white (when dry), it is the signal. Then you give them the coldest temps you can considering your conditions, staying above freezing obviously!
If the temperatures do not go down too much, it doesn't seem to be a problem for most growers, but you have to water the plants a bit more often than with cold temps.
Humidity is important when you water less, otherwise the plants may become dehydrated (leaves close up along the central axle) and you could loose the plants if too dehydrated (but remember you will loose more plant by watering too much!). It is best to water when you are expecting a few days of sun, especially if temps are low, your don't want to have plants with wet feet on day with temps in the 40s!

They can take full sun in winter with cold temps, but in your location it might be too hot to do so, be careful.

I keep mine in the same spot all year long (no room elsewhere in the apartment), east facing window opened 3 inches just at the level of the plant tray, and I manage to keep a draft by having another window opened opposite side of the room. I put a shade cloth on the window in summer, remove it in fall.

---------- Post added at 11:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 PM ----------

Matt, you got my name mixed up between my OB name and my Flicker name (Jaljala), ;-)

[MattWoelfsen]

Thank you s.kallima aka Jaljala! By any name, your posts and photography is "much appreciable". As to this winter rest phase, good to know that I can keep my plants in my three season porch, as the temperature in that space, in the winter, never gets below 40F. The light source might be a problem as it is on the north east side of my house.

[paph-neo nut]

Thanks S. Kallima. The info about the root tips being white postwater and the reminder about humidity vs. watering is very helpful. I really want them to do well and bloom in the spring.

[MattWoelfsen]

It looks like Fort Wayne, Indiana weather is heading into that between season. This past Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we had record high temperatures over 90F and high humidity. In fact, parts of Indiana and Michigan had "planned emergency outages" where the electric utilities had to shut down pockets of customers so that the rest of the grid wouldn't melt down.

Then yesterday, a cold front moved in, brought lots of rain and cooled down last night to 50F. Today sunny and only into 65F but overnight tonight, we're going to have temperatures around 38F. I know that Neofinetia can and do survive in these temperatures as long as it is not every day. But wait, there's more!

Next week, temperatures will go back up to 80F with overnight temperature falling to 60F.

My question: with these temperatures going up and down like this, would it be better for these Neofinetia be located in a controlled, stable environment versus being put out in the day and brought back in at night?