Zone 4 minnesota here, so my timetable for bringing them in might be a little earlier than yours.

By enclosed, do you mean glass windows or mesh screen? What are your night temperatures inside the porch like? You might be able to get away with a little longer if the enclosure can trap heat at night.

I usually bring everyone in with my tender Tillandsias in the second week of september, but I'm scared of sudden cold snaps of 40f at night. Depending on which species you have, you can probably push yours a little further. Personally I cut my watering down when night temps fall to the 60s, but your mileage may vary depending on species. What plants do you have outside right now?

Ive seen some people squeeze crazy collections in small spaces for the winter, it really depends on how much light you get from your windows, your plant's light and water needs, and how practical installing grow lights for supplemental lighting would be for you.

I kept my Tillies and a Sans under two LED bulbs in a north facing window for two years while stuck in a tiny dorm room while going to college and they didn't seem to mind so much. However, don't be like me and try to squeeze a tray of seedlings, an orchid, a sans, way too many terrariums, and a collection of tillies in one window, it will only end in tears haha.

My porch has glass windows I can close with screens. The coldest its been is 54 at night. I just put a thermometer out there just now. Most of my plants are sans. Thanks Rob

I see. I'm not an expert by any means about sans hardiness, so hopefully others will chip in too.

I'm still experimenting with how well mine will tolerate cold, but I think with occasional 50F night temps you should be ok. However, I wouldn't let them sit out with wet soil at those temps, damp + cold is a bad combo and I lost an aloe that way a few years back.

JT

I'm your neighbor, sort of, and I put my sans out really early this year. Remember how we had some very cool spring nights in the high 30s? They all did fine, so based on that, I intend to keep my sans out as long as possible, thinking we will get a short Indian Summer like we always do in October. So I think by maybe the 2nd week of October, unless something freakish happens, I'll be jamming my huge collection on my window sills. I have some out in a glass sun room and those I'll keep there until there is serious cold danger. I think yours will be fine in a 54 degree sunroom, as long as they are not wet, but I doubt they would grow at all with those kinds of cool temps.

This is my first winter with Sans...any plants really. My husband and I discussed a small greenhouse but haven't decided on anything yet. I've been looking into the hardiness of the types I have hoping I could just cover them with a blanket for the few nights the Temps dip below 40.

I do have a utility room with my washer/dryer and it's always warmer in there. I have shelves where I can keep my more delicate ones. Lighting wouldn't be a problem either.

So I figure I have until late Oct to Nov before I have to begin any moving around. I'll be looking for advice on when to stop watering.

This is my first winter also. I would have thought it never gets too cold where you live. I wonder where you find out winch types need a warmer temp? I have really only seen people talk about Hanni here.. Thanks Rob

Yes, only a few of mine should have to be brought inside for a short while. Just off the top of my head, Bantels and variegates need to be warmer. Also Golden Hahnii. The thicker leaved desert types are more hardy. I believe I've read the tall trifasciata take a little cold as well.

Take some time and look around here using the search bar. Google works too. You'll get some conflicting info, but I usually go with the majority. Again, here is where you'll get the best info. I'm sure more experienced cold weather growers will chime in.

It will also depend on cultivar etc. The heavy variegates are much more sensitive to cold, and especially cold and damp. I get leaves that fall on my hahnis and stay moist and cold and make blemishes. I have mine in the backyard, but I have begun moving them close to the house which is a little warmer (microclimates). Keep an eye on the weather and get them in before any real frost for sure and the heavily variegated earlier.

You know I was worried about the thicker and round leaf ones. I have several variegated ones. I'll turn my attention to those. Thanks

I'm with you Stush. I brought most everything in yesterday, although the weather has still been warm. Last year at this time the nights were in the 40s. I read somewhere that they don't get shocked if you move them when the outside and indoor temps are about the same, like they would if you wait til the last minute.

Bringing them in.. This sight says 57 deg min. Stush Wonder what types go in the fish tank setup? Do you put a lid on it ? Rob

I just want to say that the temperature we all check on our phone apps is not always accurate. You should get a temperature gauge. I have found as much as 10 degrees difference, either lower or higher. Such differences can seriously decimate your collection

Rob, No lid because I want air circulation. I do keep a towel over the top to keep the light from brothering me

I plan to replace the mirror in the back this year to increase the light on the plants. Not to include the Sans in my basement with mirrors to help the light.

And this year I have twice the amount to bring in. Don't know how I am going to do this.

Stush

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Sweet set up thanks for the info. Rob

Do you guys perform any sort of pest control before bringing them inside? Just the thought of baby spiders, gnats, ants etc inside has me itching.

Katrina, I got the Bayer 3 in 1. It has a sprayer right on the bottle. You attach to the garden hose and spray.

Well that's good because I have some that I used for the mealies. Didn't even think of that! Duh!

I have been lucky and it has been above 50 at night here. All of my plants are on my front porch and most will be coming in tomorrow, it will be in the 40's Saturday night.

Katrina, this is what I'm most afraid to bring in, stink bugs . They like to hide in the hanging baskets and I don't think Bayer 3-in-1 will have any affect on them. Ugh

Ewww... Hopefully all my fat lizards and frogs will handle what the Bayer doesn't.

may you have a mild winter. I've never brought any of mine in and most are planted in the ground. We're zone 9b here with infrequent freezes. A couple were not happy after Hurricane Ike and 4' of salt water in the yard but they recovered. I did lose one variegated a few winters ago when it just kept raining and raining. One of the oleanders drowned the same year, I never even knew you could kill them.

I think I'm in zone 10...I brought in as many as I could (variegates, small plants just getting established, cuttings, hard to replace $$$ plants)... the trifasciatas stay outside on a north facing porch so they won't get rained on (they are used for landscaping here), I put many of the bigger pots (cylindricas, masonianas, etc.) right up against the north wall of the house under an eave and elevated so they won't get splashed with mud, I hope they'll be OK there. The C&S nursery I go to told me to pull them as close to the house as possible. Anyway, I'll take one of everything inside in case I misjudged or the temps dip. I don't know much about many of the species I have (cold-tolerance), some regions get cold, some don't.