FLORIDIANS, TOO COLD FOR OUR CHIDS-OUTSIDE??

[Jkelee]

I am looking for help from Florians that keep their chids Outside in our FL months.
I am asking if I can keep my chids, or at least most of them in my Chid Hotel, yr round???
I have it well protected I thought, with the fence and bringing down the blinds to the ground?
But I wasn't sure it that's enough??
I planned on putting blankets over it all as well, just like we do to cover our plants when the freeze comes down here.
I also thought about putting a controled heater in there to keep it at the right temp, after it's all bundled up with the blinds and blankets.

I have;
Phals
Phaps
Catts
Dens
Oncis
Tolums
Vandas
& Many Species

So, can I keep all my babies outside, and not harm them??

[Swamper]

Im in Miami so I dont think what I do applies as you guys get much colder. Mine stay outside all year. Phals, Dendros, vandas of course and a host of others

[cb977]

Great photo, Jackie

I'm in Spring Hill and all the chids go into their room for our "winters". If the temps are going to drop low, I put on the portable heater and set it for 49-50 degrees. It's worked so far

[Junebug]

I grow my babies outdoors and live in Brevard County which is probably about 65 miles east of you. I have Catts, Species, Phals, Oncs., Dends., and terrestrials. My target refuge temp. is 48 degrees especially if there are bloom spikes or buds. At that point I bring them indoors.

[BikerDoc5968]

Don't know about the chids but please give your dog a blanket and he/she can stand guard just to be sure nothing nasty happens to the chids....BTW what is the pedigree of your neat dog? Pure-breed or mix....English Setter?

[Roly0217]

This would also be my first winter growing outdoors but the winter down here is not as severe as going up north so I would only really worry if they mention anything about the temps going into the 30s which is rare. By the way; the Chid Hotel needs to expand already.

[Jkelee]

Thanks ya All!!! I just don't want to hurt my babies!! Nor do I want to move them ALL into my GH, as I now have more than my GH will hold That's why I want to keep them warm where they are with the fence, blinds, blankets, and maybe heater. I didn't know if that would be sufficient??

Nor if any of my chids need to be inside?? As NO COLD for them??

As for my doggie, Jake is Pointer/Lab. 1 1/2 yrs old. And the best dog/friend I've ever ever had!! And he was a pound pup too!!! He doesn't need a blanket, as his coat is Amazing!!! So thick and beautfiul!! And the best gaurd doggie too!! He's just always in my pics, cause he thinks he's a Super Model

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!

[betwixtimes]

You could start selling divisions, maybe this coming season. So, next year. Then you could support your growing collection.

[Jkelee]

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

[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.