Stush -- we have the same thing going on here on the other side of the state. Have had well over 3.5" of rain the past 3 days so far and it is still raining and scheduled to rain most of tomorrow too (I expect Gordon remnants). And now Florence may be on the horizon - if anything to potentially add more rain. I had complained to myself this past Thursday that I still had to go out and water the drooping plants with the end of our most recent heatwave knowing that rain would be coming that Friday and this weekend. lol

The ones who really suffered recently were in the middle of the state where I know that parts of Lancaster county had something like 10" of rain in 3 hours. That was crazy!

Brrrr...cold and wet here on Long Island. Brought all the adenium in just before it started & have them all under lights till they can go back outside for the last days of the season.

My LED lights came in today, I haven't decided who will go under them as yet or how DH will set them up.

Expecting 3 new adenium tomorrow (happy birthday to me, haha!!) I may have to get more LED's, my hot peppers are looking really good and I'd like to overwinter a few of them.

Rained a lot the day before yesterday. Yesterday and today have just been cold. I think it's supposed to turn warmer again, but with more rain. I've moved a lot of plants in because of the cold, and I think I'll keep them there because they've been rained on enough.

I have just ordered another light,I wasn’t going to run lights this year but I can’t do that to the adeniums and a few others. Much to my wife’s dismay.

Can't Adeniums be relatively dark in dormancy?

I think I will use wax candles this year. My only electric light bulb was hung by the neck until Dead

This is not my picture from

http://www.sycmu.com/2012/10/01/blindly-kill-light/

Steve

A few people will bare root them and store them in a cool dark basement or such. Just try for an even temp. Others will let them go dormant in there pots in the same cool dark. I try not to add to my power bill. My plants go slightly dormant. I have used the LED's but spring light is early here.

I was kind of planning on having the Adeniums dry in their pots next to a window in the basement at around 50 degrees F. I need room for other stuff under the lights and I'm not concerned about trying to get them to grow them in the winter.

My plan was to keep my plants outside until mid October. However, it has been extremely wet, with temperatures in the 60s. I definitely don't want to test any limits right before winter. I've started bringing them in today. Not really looking forward to winter :(

mesembs None of us are looking forward to winter. However wet roots don't have to be the norm.

Lots of aeration holes that can be taped over when the summer heat cooks.

Vacuum chamber with water compatible vacuum cleaner.

This really works and I use it all winter every other day to ad fresh air. 5 second blast for fresh air. Six 5 second blast 2 minutes apart to pull out excess and perched water.

Leave the tree outside till it absolutely has to come inside.

Steve

Greenroom is complete, LED lights are in place. Just have to clean-up the electrical cords and timers.

I always let mine go into dormancy. They go indoors next to a low light-glass patio door that faces NE ( That's my only option unfortunately. No grow lights are used either) I water very sparingly once a month. They all bounce back beautifully in the spring!

Candice I do the same as I have a sunroom facing north. It's only for 3 months and last year I didn't have leaf drop too badly either.

I'm just to depressed at even the thought of having to bring them all in. I have not cleaned or prepared the greenhouse or inside my home but I know it's coming when I have too so I have been taking preventative pest measures like I do every year. I think that moooootivation will eventually come, when, I do not know. Maybe the day before the very cold moves in.

I do know though that there is no waitng when it comes to some of our succulents so I think after I have treated for pests once again I will bring them in a few at a time until I reach the over 100 of them.

What about our friends in the Carolina's? What will they do? They are talking FEET of rain. Crazy

Mike

All of mine are in except for the citrus and the jades. It's cool and wet here now, but I think it's supposed to turn warm again. I'm not sure if I'll move some of them back out, because I know that warmth won't last all that long this time of year.

Hate to admit it, but I'm probably the one person here who's looking forward to winter... I like to ski :-)

Bob, I love that set up you have!

Stupidlazydog, I use to look forward to winter for the same reasons, but now that I have to heat or light my way to keep my plants healthy, the cost is ridicoulous. Other than that, if I had a huge greenhouse and could afford heating it, I would love all the seasons. I actually love bringing them indoors if they can stay healthy and smell good too without much effort or cost.

Mike

Mike, what do you use for pests before you bring them in? I had a spider mite issue this summer and don't want them in my house!

Hi Candice.

I use Fish Emulsion, the Neptune Harvest brand

https://www.amazon.com/Neptunes-Harvest-Seaweed-Blend-Fertilizer/dp/B000IS780Y/ref=asc_df_B000IS780Y/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=216532910363&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2426406419886344998&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001913&hvtargid=aud-467077737785:pla-351840757848&psc=1

and I do a spray with nose end sprayer to all my plants .

NOt confident enough that I hit them all the way I am suppose to because I have too many plants to even count now, I also use

https://www.truevalue.com/eight-insect-control-yard-garden-insecticide-hose-end-32-oz?ctplacement=874513-44622122499&cid=gooshop

On all my non edibles twie in a 3 week period and I never have any issues with pests.

Mike

Candice, I use Neptune's Harvest and Eight Insect Control.

Neptunes every once a week from the beginning of September until I bring them inside and because I have way too many plant to be 100 percent certain that I hit with the F.E, I use the other for all my non edibles twice in a 3 week period.

Forgot the links..

https://www.truevalue.com/eight-insect-control-yard-garden-insecticide-hose-end-32-oz?ctplacement=874513-44622122499&cid=gooshop

https://www.neptunesharvest.com/

the blue one.

SLD great thread (thanks!) and love your indoor growing area.

Hookilau, happy birthday! Mine is this month too and its funny how when someone asks for gift ideas most of the time it's plant related, lol.

Brrrr so cold out! Yesterday I moved all the plants under the pergola to shelter them from the rain, fitting them was very tough, there is just the narrowest walking path through it. I guess this chill is a good reminder to finish what needs to be done outside soon like spraying for bugs and editing out some boring or duplicate plants. I will be so thankful for the 80/70's to return tomorrow!!

I've bought a bunch of small hanging baskets for trailing plants, like hoya and rhipsallis. I'm worried how my full grown kitten will be with all the plants. Last
winter she ate the flowers and played with the leaves of the CC/TC's and jumped all over the huge CC's.

Recently got 2 floor lamps from Ikea (same as yours Mike), I do need to get lights for them. I'll have to pick a few favorites to aim them at. Holy cow Ikea in CT is massive, I had to be quick, but jeez I'd like to go back someday and browse.

Mike, I like the idea of bringing them in in stages. I guess the tropicals that don't like under 60F are first. Then the Holiday Cacti when nights are in the 50's. Lastly the jades when mid 40's for night. Something like that...

-Nancy

Hey Nancy, brrr it's cold right!! Love your idea too.

Listen, you don't have to get any lights. I have loads of bulbs. I'll find a way to get them to you! They can be expensive but I have plenty to share for 0 dollars)

Mike

Thanks Mike, I'd appreciate that! Very kind of you :) I'll probably be on the east coast once or twice in the next few weeks and if I don't then please mail them. Holy moly, just looked at the calendar, the C&S sale is this Saturday. My brother LOVED my shinny rock he wants to go there too.

SLD, if you're going, I hope to meet you!

Thanks, Nancy :-) Cats and plants... gotta love 'em. Used to have a really large ponytail palm and a cat that thought it was the ideal scratching post. The trunk ended up with an interesting texture.

Browsing through that Ikea can be fun. Lots of things there that can be used for plants even though they're not meant to be. Also really cheap spray bottles.

Glad you mentioned when you bring in your jades. Mine are still outside, and I was wondering how cold they can go.

How about citrus, when do those of you, that are growing them, bring them in?

Whoa, a C & S sale? When? Where?

Like I need more...

My lemon tree is outside all year in my zone. I’m sure it depends on the citrus, but i’d say damage starts around freezing temps. I’d bring in when nights are 35F.

Took a pic of this on Saturday and thought if this post;).

lol, we were having weather like that less than a week ago (but more humid). Last few days have been in the high 50's. Gotta love New England weather!

SLD, jades with dry soil can go lower temps than those with wet soggy soil.

Ohh goodness that polytail palm... I've always wanted one but thought cats would play with the long leaves, I didn't even think of the trunk being harmed! Yikes!

Cacti and Succulent Society of MA

Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 and Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018

Show Times: 9 AM - 4 PM, both days.

SALE TIME 9 AM - 4 PM, SATURDAY ONLY
Norfolk Public Library - 139 Main St, Norfolk, MA 02056

https://cssma.org/annual-show-%26-sale

I don't "need" plants either, lol!

Kara, share your weather with us, please ;-)

Lol, he did like chewing the ends of the leaves. I'd forgotten about that. When we got it, it was about 6' tall and eventually outgrew our house. My brother gave it to us when he moved to Florida.

I would really like to see that show. I think it would be about a 2 hour drive, though. I have to think about that :-)

Talking about cats......my wife’s cat thought it was Christmas when I brought in the ponytail. It’s a trick to try to keep the cat away from it,he loves the leaves, I think even better than catnip.

We have an 18 year old cat that finally leaves my plants alone. Her brother died a few years ago. My wife and I like to get kittens (two at a time) and I'm deathly afraid of when that may come up because my collection has grown with no protection. I know it's good to rescue an adult cat, but kittens are the best things in the world.

Cute cats!!

Nancy, are you going?

Stupidlazydog, you? And Holy Moly! It seems you have tied me for the most plants. Wow!

I actually turned down work to get a shot at going. It's been years since my last one and of course I'll be there when the doors open if I can)))

I'm seeing 60's for day time highs at the end of the ten day forcast. Just wonderful. YOu would think just one year we could get a break and stay warm right through November. Not a faat chance here((

Mike

Mike, I am going, early too. My brother as well but probably a little later. Hope to see ya there! Last year it was outside, most vendors had tents. Inside the Library is the Show part of it. I really enjoyed the weather today, was potting the cuttings until there was no daylight.

I do not want this comfortable weather to end, I really have a hard time coping with the cold and darkness ahead. At least inside will be full of plants so I can pretend I'm in the the tropics :*)

SLD, it's about 1:45 for me w/o traffic.... but hey these type of shows are just twice a year so why not!

Jeff, gorgeous photo of your beautiful kitty! I love green eyed kitties.

My silly kitten using her big sis as a pillow :)

I sure would like to go to that show; not sure yet if I can. If I do, I'd go early :-)

It is still summer here.Right now it is 30C or 86F.I think we have at least a month untill the weather cools.I dread the time I will have to bring most of the plants inside.I now have a one year old who likes to walk around and touch(I mean pick up and drop on the floor) everything!

Hmm I had been thinking about the show/sale, but didn't realize it was that far from Boston, and the last thing I need right now is more plants anyway...

I don't think my dog has much interest in doing anything to my plants on purpose, but he's knocked over plenty when something outside needs to be barked at particularly well. Ikea has a little indoor greenhouse that's worked to keep some of them safe, at least.

All the best plans said I was going to make it to 15 October. Hah! All my plants short of the Jungle Cactus and Bulbs are in, and I suspect those will be in tomorrow. I also put out a new polyethelene cover for the lean-to. Oh, in filling the lean-to with plants, I found room for all but 1. Which is now in the rack under lights.

Ladylotus, your space is beautiful! It's a challenge every year to fit the plants back inside. Kind of a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that morph into different shapes and sizes.

I'm a bit concerned about my Citrus, which are still outside. We've been deluged with rain lately. One was looking yellowish and not really great, so I took it out of it's pot to have a look. The roots still look o.k. but it turns out that when I potted it initially, I hadn't bare rooted it, and there was a lot of fine wet mix in the center of the root ball. I probably had gotten it and potted it up in the fall, meaning to repot and clean the old mix off in the spring, and then forgot. So, anyway, I cut off the fruit that was developing, repotted it in a terra cotta pot, and plan to bare root it next spring. Hopefully I'll remember this time.

Sometimes, when you have so many plants, some things just fall through the cracks.

Turns out we're heading up to Vermont this weekend, so I won't be able to go to the Cactus & Succulent show :-(

We're still warm here, Northern parts of the country have snow falling today. I couldn't believe it!!

By the end of Sept our nights will fall to about 50-52F

Beautiful morning here 77F

STL it is a challenge. I added more plants today and have 27 more to find room for. It has rained so much here also that my pots are soaked. I don't like my pots to be so wet this late into the season. When they are all in the greenhouse it seems to take so long to get everything dried out.

Matt, where are you at that it snowed. I had not heard that but boy it does feel really cold.

Some of my smaller citrus are really putting out a lot of growth so I hope we get a few more weeks of warm weather.

@lady lotus if that is N dakota a bit north of you, parts of Alberta had it.

Alberta...ah! It feels like we are going to get snow soon as well and yes I am in N. Dakota. It is starting to get cold out. I hope to have all my plants in after this weekend. Whew! That is such a big job every year. It smells so heavenly in there right now with all the citrus blooming. I have some Stock plants blooming too. I am looking forward to some snow so that I can relax in my greenhouse and not worry about all my gardens until spring.

I love being in a greenhouse when it's snowing outside. One of my favorite things is to visit Logee's in January or February. Sweet olives and other fragrant plants blooming; it's a little piece of heaven :-)

Lady lotus from what I can see that is one nice greenhouse l bet you injoy it

roger

I brought my DRS on Wednesday. I left them out for the low 50"s to very high 40's but now the lows are mid 40's or lower. Unfortunately they are in til next late April. And I do same as Candice and hope for the best. I will water once every three weeks , sparingly. They are all spread around the only 2 big windows in the living room. They face west and east.

STL - I agree, spending time in the greenhouse when it is snowing out is heavenly. Sadly I have much more time to work with my plants and that is when they simply need to be left alone. LOL

Roger thank you. I love my greenhouse. It gives me a place to enjoy once my gardens are snow covered.

Well, we're supposed to get deluged with rain tomorrow. I guess the what remains of the hurricane is making its way north. So, not wanting my citrus to get soaked yet again, I moved them into the greenhouse. I'll probably be moving them back out after the rain passes. I've been waiting for a cool, cloudy day to spray them with horticultural oil.

Stupidlazydog, I wouldn't worry about your trees being out in the rain. In fact, it's great for them. I love the fact mines get flooded. It cleans all the crap out of the soil mix from tap water and fertilizer deposits. They love the fresh rain. That is when mines perform their best and send out all kinds of new growth.

Ladylotus, wow. Do you spend time in there during the winter? maybe read a book or set a chair there? Very nice. Do you ever worry about Mealy Bugs with that many plants? Bugs at all? That would put a dent in things, but if not, such a relief! Beautiful and great job. Do you treat them to prevent pests at all before they come in?

Matt, sounds a little warmer than my temps although it has been very warm this year for a change. How are your plants faring today? You have quite a good collection there)

Mike