Deebie said:Cut the oleander back and trying storing it in the garage as well.

Last winter my garage got down to 32 degrees.

Cinta said:David sounds like fun. I started this week because this weekend they are calling for frost. My coleus are always the first to come inside.

I will leave the jade and the cool growing succulents out as long as possible so they will flower this winter. I throw a blanket over them and then plastic and uncover them through the day because it will be in the 60s through the day.

I want to try her idea for my cacti and succulents. They will be sheltered on the porch until just before freezing temps arrive.

That should be OK for the oleander, as long as the soil doesn't freeze. If the top dies back, it should come back from the roots. It would be good to mulch the soil in the pot for added protection. But, do remember to take cuttings for insurance.

I am thinking of chopping it (Oleander) anyway. It is > 6 feet tall and has 4 stems. I cut one last summer (14) and it sent out 2 stems that are the same height as the others. And just what I need 5 Oleander rather than one. Heh. It (Roseum) is nice though - variegated and a slight scent. It has now been blooming for ~ 6 weeks non stop. Not bad for St. Joe MO.

How about posting a photo before you do the chopping? I'd love to see it.

Here in Omaha the coldest so far was 37 last night, we covered the potted cactus just in case, and my Mandivilla comes in at night back out in morning.
For this next week we are going to have 60,70 and 80 degree days and mid 40-50 at night. This year my plants get to stay out a bit longer since we
are having above average weather. When they do come in some get sun from a window all winter (the cactus) and the other get a plant light.
I already have a list of plans I keep adding to for next season on a bulletin board. One of the things is I saw a picture of a painted tire with a
container in the middle of cactus with a long stem solar light as well. Plenty of other plans too, like planting Mums since they get so big all along the
driveway edging. I agree, very interesting hearing everyone` talk about bringing the plants in for winter...YUK, I DETEST winter.

Yikes.... I just got done reading all of this forum and realized I forgot to bring in my lemon tree. Two nights of frost I hope it's all right.

plantcollector said:Yikes.... I just got done reading all of this forum and realized I forgot to bring in my lemon tree. Two nights of frost I hope it's all right.

Yikes. Good luck!

I forgot about Thunbergia and the light frosts have wilted it.
I am going to dig out the roots and see if it might revive over the winter.

What a lot of work! Congrats you got a lot done. Those are some beautiful plants.

My big list. 3 Brumansias about 4'
What a weakling I am.

Pandora - check out my other thread: Moving (Indoors) Day - Day 2

Everything is in now:-) Not placed, just in.

I have a 6 foot tropical Bird of Paradise just over my shoulder and across the room is a blooming White Butterfly Ginger. Smells yummy. And the room smells not only of blooming ginger and Star Magnolia (moved in earlier) - but just fresher.

I have 2 -- 3 x 6 foot tables holding a zillion plants. My Ylang Ylang "Vine" (at this point in its life it is a small tree) nearly touches my 8 foot ceiling.



Well I did almost strain some things lugging my 6 foot Brug # 1 (of 3) in - OMG! Has ~ 15 blooms. All my Brugs love to bloom just when I need to bring them in.

Oh yes I did read Day 2. You need to hire some boy scouts. How many badges would moving plants earn.

Glad that was almost. Yep, mine tend to get buds about time to come in to laundry room.

My seed grown Brugmansia arborea was JUST getting ready to open. Oh well - it should be open in my basement tomorrow.

I just finished moving all my plants back inside my storage building. I had to take them out after our first frost so I could add lights a heater and a fan. There is 58 plants in there and a worm bin. I got the lights on a timer for 12 hours a day the fan is going to run all the time and I'm not going to turn the heater on until it gets cold.

What is the wattage on that light shining up? Do you leave that shining up all winter?

That is a 50 watt flood plant light and it is shining on my angel trumpet I'm not sure if I will leave it like that all winter and I might have to do some adjusting to all the lights. I was kinda hoping to hear some feedback or some advice on what I could do to make it a little better. This is the first year in my storage building I had a smaller grow box but my plans got too big.

Update - my Brug arborea opened in the basement and looked and smelled great. For about one day and then the bloom fell off. I should have brought everything in sooner as things got exposed to upper 30s/lower 40s.

Heath - have you stored things there before? I really have no comment on your set up. Lights on/off for 12 hours is what I do in my basement. Is this an out building? A garage?

What kind of heater? Do you have a target temp in there?

It's a out building and the heater is a small electric with no thermostat I'm hoping to keep it between 60 and 70 degrees.

You want to be careful with that heater.