No, citrus can not be wintered in a dark garage. They need the right combination of potting soil, fertilizer, watering, temperature, and light. Many struggle to find that combination. Then there are the pests; aphids, scale, and spider mites can be problems inside and out. They do great in my greenhouse. Pretty easy to grow with only aphids and mites to fight. I had scale at one time but completely eradicated them and things have been pretty easy since. I do have the right spider mite control, organic isn't easy for them. The Fruitnut

My greenhouse is kept at 60F lows in the winter, rarely goes much above that during the day, and although my species and hybrid Phals do alright at that temp, they don't really like it. Most Phals prefer warm to hot temperatures and do best in the 70-90F range. But they make it through my 60F winter nights, although the spikes on the hybrids usually are delayed as they slow down and even stop growing until the temps get warmer. The species Phals usually bloom in the summer and don't spike during the coldest months anyhow so that is not an issue. My suggestion to you is to keep them as warm as you can. 50F is definitely too low, even 60F is a bit low to keep them completely happy. But put them in the warmest location you have in the house and let it go from there. They should do okay and grow for you. (Don't go by the house thermostat but rather check the high and low temps exactly where the plants are) Arthur, I leave my lindenii (and wilsonii) outdoors all winter down to just a tad above freezing, and keep them in the air-conditioned house during the summer heat. These are cool-growers and will croak if kept with other Phal species and hybrids in warm temps.

I have two beautifully large Boston Ferns that I have had on our apt patio for several months and are doing nicely. We live in a small apt and not much room inside for them. How long can I keep them outside and if i bring them in what do I need to do so they stay as beautiful as they are now?

It is the best book in the world for info on vegetable growing in our climate. I remember when it first came out. I thought it was outrageously high-priced back in the '80s, but I bought it anyway and have never regretted it. I gardened throughout my childhood with my dad (mom was not at all interested in gardening) and grandaparents, and had tons of gardening neighbors and aunts and uncles. From them, I learned "how to". From Dr. Cotner's book, though, I learned a lot of the "why" and "why not". For example, my family taught me that large-fruited (meaning not cherry or Roma) tomatoes wouldn't set fruit in high heat, but Dr. Cotner taught me (via his book) why it was so. That's just one example of hundreds. The book exists in both hardback and paperback versions. My first copy was the paperback. I left it outside on a lawnchair one day and it got rained on, and I was heartbroken. It was still usable though, and I used it until it was falling apart. Then, I got the hardback version to replace it a year or two ago, and I am so glad I did. No matter how much I learn about gardening, I continue to refer to it constantly, and I continue to learn from it. Dawn