Ursula,
I had a friend that used to live in Brooklyn and he had a water garden that he built out of cement , partially dug in partially exposed. In the fall
he would just put a thick piece of the glass that has the wire in it on the top of the garden and the plants would be quite happy all winter. He even
left the fish in one year and they survived.

Lindsey, yes that would work if one doesn't add tropical fish and tropical Waterlilies. I know someone around here who also keeps his Goldfish outside with just a little heater for the coldest days. It is something to consider down the road. I wish our season wouldn't be so short!

Your Grandson is just precious, Ursula! What a cutie.

Yes, he is!! We call him the King, he rules! If I may add one more pic....

caption: "What can I do for you"?

sooo cute..your highness!

AWWWWW!

How precious!

I spent some more time carrying plants inside and now I am at the point where only large Cacti, Passiflora edulis loaded with fruit, Cymbidiums, Den kingianum, Epiphyllum hybrids, Fuchsia triphylla, the large Jade, a couple more Rhipsalis and Hoya and a few containers have to come inside ( downstairs and approach room to greenhouse) and into the garage. Bulbo echinolabium was inside only for a quick photo and now in all its glory stinks up the deck. Schom superbiens can be pulled inside at a moments notice. I probably forgot to mention a couple more, but in essence I am ready for the colder season.
Here is now the sun-room.

wow guys, glad it doesn't get too cold here. I'd have thought the plants would lack light inside. What about a heated greenhouse?

I'm with Bree! I only have to bring in my warm growing orchids, thank goodness.
Ursula, what is the red plant in the upper left corner, in the last photo? Inquiring minds want to know.

....and a few more pictures around the now fairly filled up greenhouse. I found a good home for 3 of the 5 Coelogyne Burfordiense, which gives me some room against the lower part of the house wall. In spike both Laelia anceps ( in the ceiling) and autumnalis ( South facing glass for now. Has to be moved when the spikes elongate) are inside and now numerous large Dendrobiums populate the ceiling.
It is always a little tricky to place everything inside according to light and water requirements.

and a final group -


Done for now. I hope you enjoyed the tour. Any questions, please yell.

Ursula

Carol, the red plant is Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa and it received a lot of sun this Summer on the deck. I like the red color! Rhipsalis are another interesting plant group.

Bree, the greenhouse is heated (during the cold season) and very bright and it is not a hardship for the Orchids to be inside. And the sun-room is actually flooded with light during the day and in addition I placed some grow-lights over the bars.

This year I made myself the promise not to add any new Orchids, unless I "make room" for them. There is a physical limit to what I am able to move around, and I would think this year I did approach that limit.

Yes it does look very light in there. Do you grow them all in a shadecloth covered greenhouse outside when its warm?
I moved a few trays inside and that was enough to innoy me. hehe! Your very passionate ladies!

Bree, the Orchids grow outside from May to now in a 30 foot long cage without shade cloth. But there is a small Cherry tree on one side and a Japanese Maple on the other (that one is actually growing inside the cage.) The only other protection is the grid of the cage. I group them in such a way that the Vandas and Cattleyas receive the most light/straight sun and group others accordingly.
Here is their Summer home

Cacti & Succulents on the deck are protected by a roll of window shade draped across over the whole structure. Those in front of the house grow as is.

OMG yes you did! Wonderful pics and explanation Ursula!! How's your back!! Looks like you may need floor to ceiling windows in the front of your sunroom too!!! I hope we will be there around Txgiving to see it all in person. That is so exciting that your L. anceps are in spike. I adore them!

Kathy, I am happy I am done for now. But, I found it to be excellent exercise and my back is truly fine. There were times though where I thought I couldn't possibly move anything heavier than I did.
I certainly look forwards to seeing you two around Thanksgiving.

ursula- ok now i remember. I did know about the cage but i was getting mixed up with which member had which set up. Thanks for clearing that up.

It's a pleasure, Bree.

I am so happy most of my plants were inside last night!! I woke up here this morning to a wet mess outside, that must have been some storm last night! My big Jade and the huge Cactus pot are on their sides, ditto for the Passiflora, Cymbidiums and the new garden gate.
Going to wait until the rain subsides to upright things.
Could have been a lot worse!

Didn't check my cyms this AM (pouring too hard) but they were living under a blue tarp on and off all week! I will move them to the porch on Sat. Sposta get really cold again. I will be able to close the doors to keep them from freezing for a month. Then they will have more light and hopefully start spiking. Then they go in my 50 degree room to bloom all winter.