Low temps for tropical plants?

[LeeAnne151]

Summer seems to be over here, temps dropping into the 50's and 40's this week at night.

How low can Brugmansias go? I put them in the greenhouse but it is not weatherproofed or heated yet. Are they goners?

Pond isn't built yet for the greenhouse, are Albert Greenberg and King of Siam toast?

[MikeW]

Not sure of 'the lowest' LeeAnne. I have had one brug in the ground over the last two winters. Last year I only got down to 42, but the winter before saw many nights in the high 30's. Brug sailed happilly through, growing leaves all the time.

Still owe you a shipment of canna = soon I promise.

Cheers,

Mike

[maryvonne]

Your brugs are fine LeeAnne. They can even handle a light frost and survive. Mine are still outside and will stay there for a while yet. Is your greenhouse up yet?

Maryvonne

[LilithFair]

Many tropical plants do fine outdoors in the 40's and 50's. Unless you have some kinda "ultra tropical" plants like tender rainforest gingers, episcia, heliconia, some orchids, they will be okay. SOme tropicals will "stall out" and quit growing once it gets below 50, others are unaffected. Many come back as perennials in higher zones (like Hedychiums, Curcumas, Clerodendrons etc). Brugmansias will freeze to the ground in zones 7 and 8 and come back from the roots year after year.

[LeeAnne151]

The greenhouse is up, but not insulated, caulked or electrical run.

I've not really ever tried to grow tropical plants here.

I have Brugmansias, Bougainvilleas, Gardenias, a blue Thunbergia vine, and a couple of vining Philodendrons that are still in the house.

MikeW, no worries, unless you are digging them up and dividing, next spring is fine. I'm somewhat overwhelmed with plants right now.

Sean, I haven't forgotten your red mini daylily if you are reading this. I dug it up but just haven't gotten it boxed or to the post office.

[Jerry]

I finally moved my Burg into a sunny spot.  Now maybe i will have flowers.  it was in deep shade.

Many tropicals do fine here. some die back when a feeze happens.  Some suvive a freeze just fine as long as it is not of extended duration.
It looks pretty ratty here, but will snap back.

[azreno]

Hi LeeAnne!

I agree, with temps only dipping into the 40's everything is fine, even your waterlilies. i'm so glad you've got you greenhouse up!
 


Lynn

[Teresa]

I think it depends even within a group of plants.  I have a couple of hibiscus and a couple of passiflora that get very testy if the temps drop below about 55.  They don't die, they just pretend they are going to die.  Since they make it very clear that they don't like it, I bring them in after the first time they wilt and whine.  Most tropicals will do fine with those temps for a while and if they don't like it, you'll know it before it kills them.  Now if you let them get hit by a frost, that's another story . . . .