COLD, HEATER, WATERING??

[Jkelee]

everyone!
I'm really new to this orchid stuff. So here I go with a REALLY STUPID QUESTION

I have hundreds of chids in my chid hotel, wrapped in blankets & sheets. Plus a heater in each one for these nights dipping into the 30's-40's here in FL.

My stupid question is;
In these COLD months, should we stop or slow down on watering?? As I've read that we should.

But I worry, Especially As my chids outside are in either lava rock, spag moss, or a mix of both, Vanda's, bare root.
And with these heaters running, I know I'm drying the H out of my babies

But I'm terrified to be watering as chilly as it is. Only in the mid 60's for a high.

What should I do while these heaters are drying the H out of them?
Water or Not??

[RoyalOrchids]

If the heater is drying them out, you'll need to water more. All things being equal, water less in the cold. BUT, the heater changes the equation. I'd just water when it's the warmest, or keep your watering can inside so it's not chilly.

[Jkelee]

What's the LOWEST temp that I should NOT water them??

[Jkelee]

Anybody??

[Ross]

Don't ask me! (I know, you aren't ) I've never had to go through this, since all mine are indoors. I think this is a valid question tho, and I don't recall it ever being asked before Could be wrong (I have been before.)

[epiphyte78]

Hmmm...it's really difficult to generalize...but RoyalOrchids did a pretty good job.

If your heater is drying the heck out of your orchids then you should water them... preferably in the morning. Water them just enough so that they will dry out by the evening. The main goal is to prevent your orchids from having to be wet during the coldest hours. Cold and dry is ok but cold and wet can lead to rot. Dehydration is way easier to fix than rot.

Personally, all my orchids are mounted and during the coldest months I water 1 to 2 times per week, first thing in the morning for around 10 minutes.

[Sandy4453]

jkelee, one reason for watering less in winter is because in cooler weather, it takes longer for the plants to dry. Once the medium is dry, especially with Phals, is when to water. Plants are resting and have slowed down in their growing, typically in cooler months, therefore not needing much water and definitely, less fertilizers. I also wait until later in the mornings to water in these months when it's warmed up a bit. I feel a bit uneasy watering when it's colder and damp out but I've not noticed any bad effects from this.

[rogerman]

I'm having exactly the same problem in Thailand.... The temp is getting low here to about 70 degrees at nights . I'm just watering in the mornings every third day.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by rogerman

I'm having exactly the same problem in Thailand.... The temp is getting low here to about 70 degrees at nights . I'm just watering in the mornings every third day.

70 at night is low?? I won't be seeing that kind of temp during the day (let alone the night) until Late April! I consider 70 to be warm! How I wish I had your climate, then the plants could stay outside all year. And no snow to shovel.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Interesting thread. I'm in Miami and the weather is turning cold right now. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....