Cattleya dowiana low temperatures
 

It is spring and I have put all the plants outside. Tonight the temps will drop 46'F/8'C for an hour or so. Most of my plants will be absolutely fine (even some hot-growing ones) but I have brought my dowiana aurea inside. What minimum temperature is safe to leave it outside?

OrchidWiz says lows average 58F to 62F year round.

Thanks! I have learned that each plant is unique in its tolerance of out-of-range temperatures and I didn't want to take any chances after hearing how finicky it is said to be. I will continue to bring it in, then, until the nights are warmer.

Catt. dowiana can be allowed to dip into the mid 50's if it is dry. A moist one might not do too well in such temps, but if it is warm during the next day it should be ok.

I've had temps in my plant room down to 58 at night, with 82° F in the day time and mine have been fine and seem very happy. Wow, 46 is low. I think I would bring mine in for those temps.

Thankyou! Spring is always a fun time of carrying plants in and out. Most of my plants are fine above 45'F (night temps) but I do lug in the ones for the night that would be adversely affected. Day temps are in the 70's('F).

You are correct, but what was the diurnal range of the lows? 58-62F was the average. I always understood this to mean how much the temps could deviate from the average. It could go as low as the low 40s in their native habitat.

I believe 46F for a night should present no problem.

I suggest you take it inside. Dowiana hates low temps; it will get all sulky on you. They love to be kept on the dry side; so a porous mix that dries quickly and potted in basket or clay pot (if pot, pot on the smaller side).
I am trying my hand with Dowiana Aurea; its a seedling but i hope to see the fruits of my work down the road. :biggrin: