wrote in message
ups.com...
I have several tropical plants and trees (including two banana's) which
I would like to preserve their current beaty as much as possible as the
winter approaching. I live in Dallas, TX area (Zone 8), I plan to move
the plants into my gargage before the winter arrives. This is my first
year for doing this short of things, and therefore I need lots of
advise from the experts on this forum.

Here are my questions:

1. What are pre-moving requirements?
2. When is the right time to do the actual move?
3. Do I need any sorts of lighting to similar sun light for the garage?
if yes, can I simply use the existing garage lights?
4. If I bring them to inside the home (instead of garage), do they
require different treatment?
5. Do I expect to see lots of leaves falling during the winter?
6. What is the minimum temperature for a typical tropical plant to
reasonably maintain their "growing" season appearance?
7. Any other suggestions/advise are welcomed !!!
Thanks in advance
JIMMY

In order to maintain their "growing season appearance", you either need
perfectly located sunny windows (and even that doesn't duplicate outdoor
lighting 100%), or you must be quite wealthy to be able to afford sodium
lights that will crank up your electric bill like you wouldn't believe. It
has a large enough effect that the electric company in some places will
notify the police because it sometimes means there's marijuana being grown
indoors.

When temps hit the mid 40s, bring the plants indoors. Before doing so,
inspect very carefully for insects, although there's little you can do about
anything living in the soil. Indoors, they will need MUCH less water, so
slow down the watering ahead of time. Expect leaf drop from some plants as
they adjust to the lower light levels. If you're short on space indoors, you
might get away with leaving them in the garage, if you can monitor the
temperature.