I'm having a non-orchid growing friend tend the plants in my greenhouse while I'm away, so this tale is particularly frightening to me!

We use a non orchid house sitter whenever we go away. Mind you he really likes plants. But we put green painters tape over any switches that should be left alone. And I put signs on my Phrags that they need to sit in a bit of water, and the ones to water less etc. I try to make things easy. I think when we give him a tour and tell him a bunch of stuff all at once it is too easy to forget something we told him.

What we don't do for our orchids!!

I gave the woman a tour of our little 8x8 and demonstrated what I wanted done. Then I had her try watering them. I also wrote a list of instructions. When I saw her yesterday, though, she asked if I wanted her to just do the same things every day and at that point, I knew I was in trouble! I don't want all the orchids watered every time she stops by the greenhouse...just the hanging/mounted ones! SO...I wrote up a calendar with what to do every day. I hope that does the trick. Your idea about putting up signs might be something to add to the mix.
Yes...they are our 'chids! We have to take good care of them! She is even going to take photos of the ones that bloom while I'm gone!

Please be my guest.

So far everything looks OK.

---------- Post added at 03:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:16 PM ----------

Well, I am keeping my fingers crossed. As yet there is no obvious sign of problems.

What are you growing besides peppers, bil? I've left tomatoes and peppers outside when the temps dropped as low as 36F/2.2C and not really had a problem. As long as they don't get frost, they survive. Orchids....another matter entirely.

Bummer! Luckily it was just a night and 52F doesn't sound SO bad. Good thing you were around to catch it.

I've not yet had a need for anyone to care for my Chids, but I'm sure I'd be nervous and probably would want a chid-lover who knows a little about something.

Good luck! Maybe you need some kind of little zapper, get too close to switches, plugs and orchids and ZAP!

BABY CAM!

The toms and peppers like a couple of other plants are only in there for a bit of protection against the cold, and for the toms a bit of pampering so that when they go out they will be fighting fit.

The real problem is the orchids, as they really mustn't get too cold.

---------- Post added at 06:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:25 PM ----------

Do you know where I can get a cattle prod? :evil:

Bil, if you live in Spain, there most certainly will be cattle prods at ranches.