May of this year I purchased 3 epi "pieces"...I planted them and put them in my plantin house. Not only dis they take root, but they started producting more leaves...2 bloomed with gorgoeus salmon colored blossoms...The look healthy and vibrant. Now that Winter is coming, how should I care for them? We are having warm weather right now ( 80 degrees!! )...What low temps can these plants take? Watering? does it change in Winter??? Thanks so much
Wintering
Sudhira, how cold does it get where you are and what zone are you in? Basically, these plants should be protected from frosts and freezing temps. Depending how cold it gets where you are, you can bring them inside, put them in your greenhouse, or leave them outside in a protected area. Mine stay outside all year on my semi-covered patio. It mainly stays in the 40's at night during the winter, and they do just fine. Sometimes it drops into the high- or mid-30's for a few hours in the early morning. If they freeze, they will turn to mush.
Hi Clare,
Thnks for the response. It doesn't get extremely cold here. We are about 5 miles in from the Monterey Bay...I have the plants in a "plastic" house...I will monitor the temps and move the plants as needed. Does one feed the plants in the winter??
Again, Thank you for the info!
Hi Sudhira, you can put your zip code in any USDA hardiness map to find out what zone you are in if you don't know. That will tell you, generally, how cold it gets in your area. If you don't get frost or freezing temps where you are, you are probably in Zone 10 and can leave your plants outside all year. About fertilizing in the wintertime, I just answered this question on another thread so, instead of repeating it all again, I'll just give you the link: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/557539/