Mountain laurel are native to many different climates in the east, from New
York to Georgia. If you have some from the wild in your region, (Maryland or
wherever), they will be used to a cool/cold winter. They could live indoors
under a grow light, but I'd put them somewhere cool, like an unheated
garage, to simulate conditions they would experience in the outdoors. They
don't need to freeze however, so just keeping them in a cool area should be
adequate. The environment of a heated home is incredibly dry, with humidity
levels of the Sahara desert, so most juicy evergreens are not too happy
inside in winter.
"mitch" wrote in message
news:lBOsd.628$wb7.253@trnddc03...
Mike LaMana wrote:

What do you mean by dormancy here? I wouldn't leave them in containers
to freeze solid to bring them in, is say, February. Why not bring them
in now if you are going to grow under artificial lights anyway. Are
these destined to become indoor plants?? If not, why not just plant
the darned things and be done with it?? I have transplanted lots of
these, usually dug from the wild. They usually do quite well - even
mature plants.
Good luck.

--
Mike LaMana, MS, CTE
Consulting Forester & Arborist
Heartwood Consulting Services, LLC
Toms River, NJ
www.HeartwoodConsulting.net http://www.HeartwoodConsulting.net



"mitch"
wrote in message
news:M0Osd.68$E_6.41@trnddc04...
Hi, I have a few transplanted Mountain Laurel plants (youngsters
I've been growing since last Winter) outside in containers. How
many months of dormancy is required before bringing them in and
placing them under artificial light? I live in central Maryland.

thanks,

Mitch

I thought that they had a dormancy requirement? Are you saying that
they can grow year round in a suitable environment?

I wanted to get some extra growth prior to planting them in beds. Too
many animals here will mess with the small plants.

thanks

Mitch