Carol Ann wrote > Hi I live in Central/Western NSW Australia my temperature can range from > -1deg F - 120 F, I grow all my plants in black plastic pots, winter bulbs > are lifted & sorted when they have died down for the summer, they are placed > in containers with their tags to ensure I don't lose their names. Here our > summer heat can begin as early as October & last til April. To protect my > summer growing bulbs they are placed in either a shadehouse or in tree shade > as the scorch factor here is extreme.... > snorp > I grow successfully Lachenalias, Ixias, Ornithogalums 6 species, Babianas, > Massonias, Haemanthus Coccineus & Albiflos, Acidanthera, Chasamanthe > 2 colours, Acis, Daffodils, Amarcrinam, Amaryillis Belladonna 4 colours, > Herbaeceous Paeony, Rose, Ginger 3 species, Arisarum Vulgaris, > Cymbidium & Dendrobium orchids to name a few.... You got me beat on the down side! But we're similar on the up. We only get down to about 18F in bad winters, 15F in the worst and about once every 7-8 years no frost. There's no way I could grow peonies here; it's not cold enough in the winter and too hot in the summer. But I would love to hear more about your Cymbidiums and Dendrobiums. Do you grow your wonderful Australian natives, or hybrids? Are you anywhere near rock lily habitat? Cym and den tubers are above the ground so people shouldn't complain we stray too far off topic. Leo Martin Phoenix Arizona USA