I've been growing them on my sill--we get birds and squirrels all the time and didn't want it getting eaten.
The fridge is the only place I can winter it--there's no room we aren't using.
Everyone has birds and squirrels..that alone isnt reason enough to keep them indoors..
I have read about people having problems with humans..they cant keep their plants outdoors because of idiot neighbors and general riff-raff, but if your only problem is birds and squirrels, then your plants should definately be kept outside next year..
Squirrels generally arent a big problem..once or twice a year they might try to dig in larger pots (larger than 12" diameter) but in my experience they ignore pots smaller than that..
I have had bird problems..Mother Robins love long-fibre spagnum moss in the spring, they like to steal it for nesting material..although its only a problem for a few weeks in the spring, then its fine after that...but still, I had to cover my mini-bogs with green chicken wire..(its regular chicken wire that comes coated in a green vinyl/plastic coating)..its somewhat ugly, but after a month or so that plants grow up through the wire then it isnt very noticable..
since using the wire mesh, I have had no bird or squirrel problems at all..
and my yard is overrun with both!
There are easy ways to defeat the birds and squirrels..
its not really a major problem..
keeping the plants outdoors is MUCH more important than the minor nuisance of animals..
If your plants survive the winter indoors, next spring get them outside!
Scot
---------- Post added at 09:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 AM ----------
The window isn't open, but the photoperiod has naturally decreased.
It does seem to have slowed down it's growth, but I don't know if it's in a true dormancy.
---------- Post added at 07:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 AM ----------
Although the window has only been close recently--I've been gettin too cold at night. Maybe it is dormant?
No, its probably not dormant at all..based on what you describe.
at this point all you can do is just keep it on the windowsill and hope for the best..dont even try to put it anywhere cold for dormancy..because its not dormant..
Many newly purchased plant are TC plants (tissue culture)..their internal clocks are all messed up anyway, they have no idea what season it is because they have never spent a year outdoors to "set the clock"..the plant will probably survive this first winter indoors..although it might weaken a bit..but assuming its still alive in the Spring, put it outside in April, leave it outside until November, then next late Autumn find a winter resting place for it, as it will be truly dormant by then, since it was outside all season..
this winter, just leave it alone and hope for the best..
where did you buy the plant? was it a "death cube" type plant?
Scot