Fact or Myth???

[kiki-do]

My nephew (from Texas) was given a phal. orchid in sphagnum moss medium. This orchid came from a reputable florist. The instructions given to care for this orchid said to put two ice cubes on the top of the moss and let it melt and soak into the moss. Repeat when dry.
When he told me this, I nearly flipped. I told him that was bad advice.
Recently I was watching some program on TV that had a short clip about orchids....phals in particular. They also said to do the ice cube trick in the moss. This was not Texas, but somewhere on the east coast.
Have any of you ever heard of this???????

[cb977]

Found this:
Ice cubes to encourage blooms??

[kiki-do]

Thank you Sue!

[orchids3]

Never heard of the practice for Phals but a lot of old time groweres here in Jacksonville speak of putting Ice on Cymbidiums in mid summer to encourage flowering. I flower cymbidiums without the practice.

[shakkai]

I found a couple of articles quoting Bob Fuchs as having recommended putting ice cubes on the moss for Phals.

One orchid grower's tips for keeping an orchid in bloom - The Reporter

I've also found other orchid growers recommending this - though it is the first I've heard of it!!

One site however, says that this is not a recommended practice:

Questions and Answers #37

[Ray]

If you think about it, the slow melting of the ice will not flood and compress the moss, so it might not be a bad idea.

As far as the cooling to induce flowering, yeah, some phals need a period of time at somewhat reduced temperatures to do that, but "forcing" is not a real good idea for keeping a plant healthy for the long term.

I would also be concerned about chilling the root system too much unless it was summer of somewhere with a warm climate.

[Gin]

I don't think it would be good on bare surface roots . Cold wet = rot . Mine will have to suffer with the normal night drop in Temp. Gin

[DebsC]

I don't like the sounds of it, either. I've heard of it a long time ago but never knew anyone that actually made a practice of it.

[Don Perusse]

If you had some duplicates or perhaps one that you didn't care so much for, it might be worth an experiment
I live in the south where it is quite hot during the summer and I think I might try it but not ALL the time at every watering.

[adriponic]

10 to 20 days of climatic treatment on phals initiate flowering. What is needed is a 10 - 12 celcius lower night
temperature. Here average temp from Oct to March is
30 day and 27 night and I am getting year after year nearer on target for Valentines day! Just have to move in the phal at the right moment inside aircon room at night and move back to gh in the morning. But beware aircon
dries the air ... have sufficient water in trays under the pots.