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Midwest Gardening

Over wintering Tropicals in the Chicago area

15 years ago

I just got 2 Bougainvillea's, 2 Passion vines and 3 tropical Hibiscus and was wondering if anyone in the Chicago or Zone 5a area has ever over wintered these plants in there basement?

My problem is that I do not have the best window lighting. So I know they would not do the best as house plants for the winter.

I have over wintered trop.hibiscus before but at that time I had west facing bay windows.

Anyone!

TIA

Katie

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Comments (2)

ginkgonut
15 years ago
I use a flourescent shoplight to over winter plants in my basement.
timcad
15 years ago
I rig up florescent fish tank lights to hang as close to my passion vines as possible. In addition, I use a "clamp on" type shop light with a compact florescent light (CFL) bulb screwed into it. I picked up some cheap under the counter fluorescents at w*lm*rt, to mount under shelves, for smaller plants. I also run a fan 24/7 to circulate the air.
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