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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jos Stratford" data-source="post: 1622515" data-attributes="member: 12449">If there is a limiter, I supposed wetness had to be a factor. Sure not the cold, Queen of Spain is moderately common in pockets out here, winters routinely minus 20 or 25, below 30 not so rare. However, it must be a little more than pure dampness - sure Britain is grey, wet and cool most of the winter, but we also get a 'British winter' - it's called our autumn <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> Most of October, all November and often much of December is exactly what should be limiting them in Britain - damp, sleet, wet and a damp cold that eats ito you (tonight outside, around zero, a light drizzle and disgusting murk). Then comes the real crisp winter you speak of. So our Queen of Spains get two winters for the price of one -  a cold damp one, followed by a bitter cold dry one.I wonder if the bitter cold might not also be of benefit, killing off parasites?</blockquote>