Should we water.

Whilst mulling over past postings today, I happened upon an artical from TAM regarding his greenhouse he rents from the local council and agree with other members of the forum, that the plants look in superb condition. I would like to ask TAM, as the temperature is kept at 60F (10C ) do you withhold watering your collection during the winter period, or continue to do so on a lesser basis. Maybe, still water the seedlings and young plants, and keep the more mature specimens dry. I ask this question, as last year down in the South of England we've had record breaking temperatures up until the end of November and pretty mild temperatures up until present times. This has resulted in a number of Mamms. producing a very welcome show of flowers, and a lot more in bud for this period of time. As these plants are obviously active and certainly not dormant, I wonder if we should re-think our policy of witholding moisture from some of our collection during the winter. I ceased watering my plants at the end of October, and my heater comes on when the temperature falls below 50F. I've resisted the temptation so far,but wonder, if some were watered and kept growing, that a much bigger and quicker specimen would result. Instead of a very dehydrated plant, come spring time,needing nuturing back to life. I would be interested to hear from you TAM or other members on this topic. Regards Derek.

Hi Derek,
I see you haven't had any responses. I think Tam is away at the moment.

All I realy know is that plants do benefit from a rest period during the winter. In habitat, they usually don't get any water at all until spring rains, though what might be undeground still will vary a bit.

Wth such a mild winter, I also haven't given any water, nor will I, even though with my setup at the moment, daytime is well above 50F and nightime rarely below 45.

If it continues, I might think about a light spray earlier than I would normally do, perhaps as soon as early March, but we'll se ehow the rest of the winter goes.

Hi Derek,

Watering during winter ?

Up here on the west coast of Scotland it isn't always wet, damp and cold. We can have some very warm days during the winter period and that does, I believe, effect my plants.
Has Chris says above, in habitat plants do go for long periods of time without water, but at some point they will recieve some form of moisture even if its just over night condensation.

In the glasshouse they are just permanetly dry, so I do favour giving all my plants a drop of water, from below during the winter, to keep them ticking over. The main collection will recieve a little water twice during the winter, I have already given them a water over xmas. The seedlings I tend to lightly water once a month. I do lose a few plants, but then who doesn't.

Another point to bear in mind and that we, has growers, have brought together into our small glasshouses plants from a hugh country and at some point, with me any way, there is always something in flower. If its in flower then its growing and will some water.
Its my view that we do not provide the correct conditions for our plants but for our pockets !

...but at the end of the day all I can say is ...that everyone has to make their own choice based on their own set of conditions.

P.S It would be interesting to hear what our friends in warmer countries do during their winters.