Wow, hope they do ok, it´s already a bad winter for me on the other side of the Atlantic !!

Yes it works. I've been using that space for a long time. As long as the electric keeps going. Has not failed me yet...Where do you live Andrew?

Good to know, would be a shame to lose your awesome collection. I´m living in the uk ( north east ), I´m not sure how to display that. I have already had two snowstorms about 1/2 inch each, first snow I´ve gotten in almost 4 yrs, almost killed my banana and night blooming jasmine and I did lose a few of my summer blooming Phals, the Violacea Norton Blue and the Bellina : (

How long do you expect to have to keep the heater going for? There's been a lot of mixed comments about the cold on the internet. Some are saying forecasts are predicting a warming trend, others say colder weather is coming. Probably depends on where exactly they're located.

I will not heat starting Sunday. I will move a lot of orchids...

http://www.intellicast.com/Local/Weather.aspx 

In west-central Ohio we have not been above freezing for 12 days, with wind chills well below zero for most of that time. We've had @4" of snow on the ground for 5-6 days also. Thankfully we are expecting 30+ temps on Sunday and beyond. Between the furnace running 75% of the time and the fireplace going occasionally, the humidity in the orchid room has been around 20-25% during this time. I keep the pebble trays wet and mist several times a day to raise the humidity a bit, but it is only very temporary help. Tough time of year for us northern orchid growers also.

Keep warm everyone,

Bob

I wonder if I lived in the cold north if I would grow orchids. I'm amazed at the success that shows up here.

I bring the hose into my heated area. I have it sealed off well. After I water if feels like a rain cloud. But the heater gives them a needed drying. I got lucky on the good dynamics my space provides.

Bob, I wonder what I would do in the north. I thought I might shift to plants that tolerate the weather. But I'll never know as I am happy here. There is always a price. Here the price is the long hot and humid summers.

Teaching children about plants has always been a pleasure. The Commander's plant/gardening legacy lives through you. Teach a kid, make a legacy. Worthwhile! Growing plants with a kid is fun and adds a lot to the bonding...