I agree it is a strange season, n. viridiflorus has already flowered and gone over, several pots of n. romieuxii in various forms which usually flower in the new year have well developed buds, n. cantabricus seems to be at a normal stage of development with n. cantabricus kesticus the African form showing colour in the buds, and their are several buds just appearing at soil level on n.dubius.
I use a different approach to the plunge bed, at the beginning of September I stand all the pots outside where they get cooler nights (hopefully) and they naturally receive any rainfall to moisten the pots gradually, which I then take into the greenhouse, using this method allows time to clean and prepare the greenhouse for winter, as it has been such a mild autumn no frost yet at all, The pots are still standing outside in many case with foliage 6" tall, the greenhouse benches are ready but I will delay as long as possible.