FLORIDIANS, TOO COLD FOR OUR CHIDS-OUTSIDE??

[betwixtimes]

Originally Posted by Jkelee

I'm Greeeedy
I don't wanna sell my babies

But it means you can get new ones!!!
It's a trade off, and it's not like you can't keep the mother plant....

[elitebettas]

I live in Orlando FL and grow a large range of orchids, everything comes inside once the temps dip below 55 degrees, except nobile type dendrobiums and epidendrums

[Jkelee]

Wish that wasn't true Elite, as I have toooooo many to bring into my GH that doesn't fit them all

[cloudswinger]

Originally Posted by Ross

I really feel for you Floridians that have to worry about a bit of cold now and then (what's the icon for sniffle?) Mine stay inside and now I have to take the big anosmums to the basement to drain after watering because I can't trust the outside temps. Frost on the roof last night. Did you get that? Frost! (Do you southerners know what frost is? OK, Sue does, but what about the Miami crew?) So now we start our endless drivel discussions about who has how much snow Hope it's not me. I'm actually looking forward (no kidding) to the cooler temps to bring my new Masdies into bloom.

Hopefully this post is taken in the jest it is intended.

Well, the last time it actually snowed in S. Florida was 1978, so There are lots of old houses in Miami that don't even have heat. There are some areas in Palm Beach county that get frost, usually inland and in January. Orlando probably would get frost sooner. I'm in S. Palm Beach, and we might get a weeks worth of frosty nights in a winter season.

[D&S Mabel]

Maybe I've been lucky but I think I brought mine in twice last season, both times we had threats of frost that didn't happen. Most of the time, when the temperature drops past 40 - 45f, I take the plants down and move them up against the house for protection. No ill effects so far on a pretty wide variety of plant types.

I think I've had to bring them in more often for the unwanted guests that "blow" in from the sea, from time to time, then from cold weather!

[cb977]

Originally Posted by Ross

I really feel for you Floridians that have to worry about a bit of cold now and then (what's the icon for sniffle?) Mine stay inside and now I have to take the big anosmums to the basement to drain after watering because I can't trust the outside temps. Frost on the roof last night. Did you get that? Frost! (Do you southerners know what frost is? OK, Sue does, but what about the Miami crew?) So now we start our endless drivel discussions about who has how much snow Hope it's not me. I'm actually looking forward (no kidding) to the cooler temps to bring my new Masdies into bloom.

Hopefully this post is taken in the jest it is intended.

[Jkelee]

Hi D&S,
So since we're both in O'town, and you keep ALL your outside, till we hit the 40-45ish then??

So I'm truly SAFE till Central FL hits the 40-45??

Do you all THINK I'm OK to leave them where they are, Blinds all the way down, and Blankets, and maybe heater??

Or, Do I NEED to get them out of my Chid hotel, and inside the GH or under the covered pool/patio, either one of them?

Originally Posted by D&S Mabel

Maybe I've been lucky but I think I brought mine in twice last season, both times we had threats of frost that didn't happen. Most of the time, when the temperature drops past 40 - 45f, I take the plants down and move them up against the house for protection. No ill effects so far on a pretty wide variety of plant types.

I think I've had to bring them in more often for the unwanted guests that "blow" in from the sea, from time to time, then from cold weather!

[susiep]

I agree with most of the the other posts. 45 is probably as low as you would want to go outside. Don't forget wind chill if it is a real north-windy night. Days are never a problem. This is what I have been doing for the last 30 years and it usually works out ok. Water really well on the morning or day before the cold dip is scheduled to arrive. Then leave every thing uncovered all day to get as much heat built up in the wood and pots as possible. Cover everything up by about 4 pm (sooner if it gets windy). That way you are wrapping the heat inside. Just keep the wind off them. My orchid house is free standing so it is easier than yours will be. I just wrap around all 4 walls with big blue tarps, held in place by bungee cords. Then I throw one last tarp over the top and tie it down (I have a screen top on my orchid house). About 8 am I uncover it to allow it to start heating up again. It is always very sunny here in the winter. I have gotten where I can do the whole wrapping in about 15 minutes!

[snow]

i am trying to take you,re words in jest ross.
really hard

[Sandy4453]

Originally Posted by Jkelee

Oh, I'm working on my hubbie for the 4th hotel going up, but that's a lil' battle there!
His answer is; Start Selling!! I'm too greedy I don't wanna sell my babies, just to have room!
His answer is Sell or STOP Buying!

You want more room made because you want more orchids, not because you have too many...because you want more! Silly hubby!

Well, here in southern Palm Beach County, the winters are considerably warmer than where you are, Jkelee and this will be my 2nd year growing them out on the patio. Catts, Oncs, Dends, Bulbos, Paphs, Phals and a slew of all different varieties. I had to bring all of them in for 2 nights last year when the temps dropped into the mid 30's. Typically though, the nights are anywhere from the low 40's to high 40's in the winter and they all did fine out there!