Is it too cold for my orchids?

9 years ago

Hello everyone! I am located in Savannah GA where the temp has dropped to about 50°. On Thursday the high will be 48 and the low will be 28!! Brrrrr! Majority of my orchids are on my patio facin SE at 125°. Is it too cold for them? Should I bring them inside? Thanks! PS: none are in bloom.... I have one Phal that jist dropped her last flower and looks like the ends of the spikes where her flowers were are already growing/extending. I have one dendrobium that I've posted about a few times on here that had keikis growing, I repotted it and it's continuing to grow. I have 3 vandas, all of which are not in bloom but have new leaves emerging from the top. I have on oncidium I have also posted about a few times that I've had for about 8 months now and it still has not spiked however I did find some new growth in the middle of it but no spike yet. All my other phals are growing but have yet to spike. I know they need a temp drop to spike but I'm not sure if I should keep them outside still. Thank you!

Featured Answer

shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b

9 years ago

Bring them ALL in. The vandas need 50 or above. They need the warmest. If you give the rest of the plants the same as the vandas you can't go wrong. But the others may tolerate lower. I try to keep most of mine above 50. Easier for me here in Florida. Most likely will turn the heat on in my greenhouse this December.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

James _J
9 years ago
I would move them in. I don't let any of my plants go below 40, Phals and Vandas I keep above 50. They may survive lower temps but I don't think they will like it.
Related Professionals
Muskogee Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cheyenne Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lagrange Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Athens Landscape Contractors · Cape Girardeau Landscape Contractors · Raleigh Landscape Contractors · Beckley Landscape Contractors · Fresno Landscape Contractors · Elizabeth City General Contractors · Lafayette General Contractors · Marquette General Contractors · Chico General Contractors · Denver General Contractors · Garden City General Contractors · Boise General Contractors
Becky
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks guys. I have a "study" room I could put them in... but it doesn't get great sun... it's like an indoor version of my patio and it's right next to my patio so it's facing the same direction but the way my furniture is set up in there (I can't move it) there's not much room to put the plants in good spots. Should I get some growing lights?? If so, what type?? I bought two bulbs from Home Depot that are growing bulbs. And I have one grow light bulb that is red and blue light.
shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b
9 years ago
http://www.aos.org/About-Us/Affiliated-Societies/Affiliated-Societies-Lookup.aspx is a link to the American Orchid Society. The link will show affiliated societies in Georgia. If you join you will accelerate your orchid learning several fold. And the growers you meet deal with exactly your issues. They know the local tricks.

Your situation and knowledge is not optimum. But the orchid societies near you is your best chance to grow healthy and robust orchids with lots of flowers. Personally I also enjoy the social experience at our orchid club...
Becky
Original Author
9 years ago
Agreed. I will join and see how it is but I always love coming here and reading the posts and asking for advice. Everyone is always so friendly and helpful! Such a nice community here
jane__ny
9 years ago
All good info given above. Joining your local Club is really a great way to learn and get local help from neighboring orchid growers.

You don't need grow bulbs to give your plants extra lights. I used cheap CFL bulbs in floor lamps. Octopus type so you can direct the light where you want it. Also, cheap clamp lights can be used the same way.

They will not offer enough light for your Vandas and other high light orchids, but it will get them through the winter until you can put them out on your patio again. If you get a stretch of warm weather, move them outside again.

When I grew in NY, it became a daily chore as I moved plants in and out in the Fall, until it became so cold they no longer could go outdoors.

Jane