10 degree minimum

[Fuerte Rav]

Originally Posted by estación seca

You've mentioned getting down to freezing outside. Zone 12a is a very hot tropical climate all year, even in winter. Nowhere on the continental US is 12a. The closest to 12a would be Key West, Florida, at 24 1/2 degrees N, which is 11b.

Adelaide is close to 35 degrees South. I would guess you correspond to somewhere inland of Santa Maria, California, almost exactly 35 degrees North, which is north of Santa Barbara and south of Santa Cruz. California has a cold current just off shore, keeping the coastal weather cooler in summer and warmer in winter than it would otherwise be. I don't know whether the same situation exists off southern Australia.

California Interactive 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The areas inland from Santa Maria are zones 7b to 10a, depending on the mountains.

Sorry, I think I confused the issue jumping in as I did. Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa is my location, hence the 12a.

[Roberta]

The whole "zone" concept is just a starting point - most of us have areas with microclimates that vary from what might be predicted. And there are other factors such as winds and ocean currents that further confuse the issue. The "zones" are a rather crude shortcut. It's really about minimums, maximums, frequency with which those are reached... Averages can be useful, but we have to deal with the extremes too (or we end up with dead orchids)

[Maru777]

Originally Posted by Fredmax

Oh how nice it would be to live in the tropics and not be restricted to Cymbidiums.

LOL! Just this morning I was lamenting not being able to order this gorgeous Den Aussie Hi Lo because it seems to like colder temperatures than I can give it I think everyone wishes to be able to grow something that is not suitable for their conditions because we love all orchids and they grow all over the world so inevitably some will not match.

It was so very funny to read this post the same day I was complaining I have no way to grow these cool growing ones I could use the AC but I hate the cold so cant’d do that inside the house.

[Roberta]

But that's part of the challenge... to see what we can get away with. Orchids are so adaptable... within limits, but those limits are often wider than they get credit for.