I moved to a new (old) house that has a sunroom. I thought it would be perfect. Plants burnt in the summer, which I corrected by putting curtain sheers in the window. Thought I was doing well until just after Christmas when I spotted what I fear is my plants freezing. We keep our house pretty cool. Would they actually freeze in the house? It does get into the 50s.

Most orchids can take temperatures down into the 50's or even lower for short periods of time, however some will not do well with these low temperatures even for a short time. We have some orchids that do fine outdoors, even below freezing, but most orchids come from TEMPERATE or semi-tropic or tropic areas where the temperature rarely drops below 50 degrees except in high elevations.

First, what type of orchids do you have? And what are the signs of freezing? Are they black spots on the leaves, general ill health of the plants, wilted, soft or watery leaves?

Some orchids (ie Phalaenopsis or moth orchids) actually NEED a cool down period in order to stress the plant into producing a flower spike. However, extended cool periods can stress or damage the plant cells.

From experience I can tell you I tried growing orchids in a sun room in a Victorian in midtown - with little success - light was perfect but there was something.. I don't know if it was a gas leak or lead paint or what.. that just the orchids didn't do well until I gave them to a friend and they'd perk up...

Id need more to go on.. can you upload a description of what's happening to the plants or better yet a photo?

scott