We all know that each species has a critical temp. below which it is not supposed to survive. Yet, sometimes we are surprised to find that some plants, if maintained for awhile at close to the critical mark, can manage to make it even when the surrounding
temp. drops below critical.
This winter I was forced to conduct an experiment when my greenhouse gas heater quit when the outside temp. dropped to 4F. Inside it held at 12F. I moved my best plants into the house, but most had to remain in the greenhouse.
Results: out of 12 orchids, I lost 2. Of the ficus group, there was some defoliation, particularly on F. Too Little. The jury is still out
on whether it will survive. F. Benjamina lost leaves on one plant, but new green shoots are starting to emerge. Other F. B. came thru OK. Clivia didn't skip a beat; begonias and geranium wilted a bit but soon regained strength when the new heater was
installed.
I believe that two fans circulating the air in the room had something to do with it. The greenhouse is a lean-to against the wall of the house. A small amount of heat, escaping thru a window, probably was enough to save most plants when moved over the t
rays by the fans. Even tho the thermometer read 12F, it might have been slightly higher around the plants.
Anyway, the damage was far less than anticipated. I try to keep the temp. at around 60F, but occasionally it drops to 50F without major problem. If I had maintained 70F under normal conditions, I wonder if the severe drop to 12F would have killed more pl
ants.
Marty

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