You can't leave them out once temps get down to near freezing. Move them to either an unheated garage, a cool basement or store them in bags in the fridge. I keep mine in the fridge until late February.

...or an attic....

LOL! Forgot the attic! But mine's just too cold!

No matter where you put it/them make sure the soil is left to dry out some. You don't want it wet and cold. The soil should have the moisture content of a wrung out sponge during dormancy.

thank you one and all for the info. have had cps for a few years but this is my first foray into vfts. wish me luck. and again thank you.

hey nancyk4, i understand the 6a zone situacion (as i am from the same zone) but all you really need to do is winteriz your plant...basically, when temperatures hit down to freezing (as they ALWAYSS DO) just wrap up the pot in like black tarp or something, possibly put mulch on the media, and maybe even cover it in a black garbage bag "tent" like structure. you could also leave all of the dead leaves on the plant to keep it warm instead of clipping them.

However, the problem will arrise that you still need to water the plant while avoiding having the water freeze...that i have no ideas for you but good luck!