Tropicals in Montana...

[FiggieSmalls]

Hey folks,

I just moved to Montana. I'm planning to move most/all of my tropicals into the heated garage (can keep it ~55 degrees) and let them go dormant. Maybe put them on heat mats for good measure. But these trees have never really been through dormancy in that way. Most are straight from Florida. I've got some ficus, bougainvillea, and sea grape. Will they be OK getting no light through the winter?

Thanks,
Figgie

 

[19Mateo83]

Unfortunately, being pretty much evergreens and tropical, they never really go dormant. You will need some kind of grow light for them. The 55 degree temperatures shouldn’t be an issue, they will slow down but not go dormant. These mars hydro lights are pretty decent and with the coupon are only $90/ea.

Amazon.com

 

[FiggieSmalls]

Hmmm, okay gotcha! Shouldn't be a problem because I do have some grow lights, I just don't really have a good spot for them. Like maybe I can set up one small tent somewhere indoors. How about putting them by a south-facing window inside? Would that be not enough light? Too inconsistent, because of artificial lights used nearby at night? Maybe both?

 

[MSGhero]

They'd probably survive with just the grow lights, so grow lights plus actual sun is better. At 55 F, some of your ficus may drop all of their leaves until spring, so at that point it doesn't really matter too much. A heated pad would help a little but wouldn't prevent leaf drop I think.