bringing plants in from outside

[Zozzl]

You definitely would need to bring them in. Anything below 50 degrees is a good rule although I admit I have let them get much colder than that. Basically if it get below 40 you are really taking chances. I heat in the greenhouse but when I didn't have so many I would bring them inside and put them under the kitchen table, in the bathtub, porch etc, living room. If you have a garage that would be great.

[Birdie]

My outdoor orchids (Cattleya & Dendrobium) were repotted in Oct 2010, so I guess I will repot them when I bring them in. I just noticed today that my Dendrobium has started a flower spike. I'm SO excited!! I purchased it in bloom & now it's going to bloom for me again!

[pavel]

Unfortunately for Nicki, Pat, a garage will not suffice -- not unless she has the luxury of a heated garage with excellant lighting. (Something which I'd be willing to bet is a resounding "no".) Temps haven't gotten bad yet, Nicki, so you do have time. I doubt you'll have to do any real worrying until October. In the meantime, if you know it is going to get chilly (in the 50's) at night, cut back on the watering. Cold wet roots usually spells disaster.

First figure out where you're going to keep them in the house over winter and get that area ready -- whether that means getting trays to catch water run off, putting up shelves or lighting, or winter proofing your windows. Do a visual inspection for bugs so that if something is badly infested you can find out and treat it now. Remove any spiders before applying any preventive pesticide. In all honesty, I generally don't spray unless I know I have a problem but most folks do and I agree it makes sense to do so.

[Janet]

Every few years I bring in one plant that seems just fine and then one day in the middle of winter I water it and millions of ants come pouring out. Really disturbing, but ant spray seems to take care of the problem and doesn't seem to hurt the plant. Guess there are eggs in the media. Just something to watch for. I think it's probably unavoidable unless you want to completely repot everything before bringing the plants inside.

[nicki]

This made me chuckle. That is definately something I didn't think of.

Remove any spiders before applying any preventive pesticide.

I will start to cut back on watering. Our summer has been cooler than other years. I've already woken up to mornings in the low 50s. I found a place locally that has the light system I want. I'll be getting that soon along with some shelves. The plants will be in my bedroom.

[Teena]

I brought all my plants in yesterday in anticipation of Huricane Irene's arrival here in New England on Sunday. Since my orchids only get to go outside for a Summer vacation I can't imagine what you poor folks in Florida do when a huricane looms because you leave them outside all year long. Next comes all the outdoor furniture.

[kiwiorchids]

I brought all my plants in yesterday in anticipation of Huricane Irene's arrival here in New England on Sunday. Since my orchids only get to go outside for a Summer vacation I can't imagine what you poor folks in Florida do when a huricane looms because you leave them outside all year long. Next comes all the outdoor furniture.

sounds like shes gonna be a doozy! We have been looking at sattelite images, and my god, im sure that is larger than Katrina...

[Orchidmorris]

How interesting to read that so many people bring the orchids outside in the temperate zones. Here in Holland not many people do this, scared that they get sunburned or they think its too cold or been taken bites out by snales or millipede.
I am thinking about to write an article in the dutch orchid society bulletin about this subject. For me it became obvious a few years back when I first started to bring them outside that the light is energy and energy brings them to flower, some didn't flower or poorly, but after a summer they started. And for the Pleuro's the cool and damp nights are the trigger. This can never be done behind a window inhouse.
But for the main question Nicki, bringing your plants in doesn't need any special preperations. Only that watergift is getting less because of less light (less energy) so less growth, just enough to get them through the winter. But ofcourse there are always orchids adepted to the other hemisphere which starts growing in the winter. And this is what makes our hobby so interesting!! Enjoy, also wintertime is very importent!
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[kiwiorchids]

How interesting to read that so many people bring the orchids outside in the temperate zones. Here in Holland not many people do this, scared that they get sunburned or they think its too cold or been taken bites out by snales or millipede.
I am thinking about to write an article in the dutch orchid society bulletin about this subject. For me it became obvious a few years back when I first started to bring them outside that the light is energy and energy brings them to flower, some didn't flower or poorly, but after a summer they started. And for the Pleuro's the cool and damp nights are the trigger. This can never be done behind a window inhouse.
But for the main question Nicki, bringing your plants in doesn't need any special preperations. Only that watergift is getting less because of less light (less energy) so less growth, just enough to get them through the winter. But ofcourse there are always orchids adepted to the other hemisphere which starts growing in the winter. And this is what makes our hobby so interesting!! Enjoy, also wintertime is very importent!
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Snails are a pain, but one easy solution: snail bait. Sunburn isnt a problem, so long as you keep them under the awnings. Cold weather only slows or stops growth, it doesnt kill it. Unless it gets frosted of course