fall temperature drop

[Bythesea]

I have only a small space where I can put orchids to experience the natural fall decrease in day length and day/night temperature to induce blooming. The day/nightdrop in my house is enough for my Phals as they bloom every year and most have spikes now. However, I suspect this drop is not enough for some other genera and I cannot avoid some light in this area prior to bedtime. Is there a recommended order in which I should move various genera to my small space with outside temp/light conditions? And how long should I leave each group there before I can exchange them for the next group? Thanks.

[aliceinwl]

It would probably help if you can elaborate on what your non-Phals are

[Bythesea]

Wondering about Laelia, Cattleya, Blc. various, Oncidiums. I have some other intergeneric hybrids but I think they should bloom with no special treatment in the fall -- at least some of them have done so for me.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

It would probably help if you can elaborate on what your non-Phals are

Also where you live and what temps.

[Bythesea]

Live in coastal California. Here is our average weather

Month High / Low(°F)Rain

September 71°/ 53°0 days
October 70°/ 51°2 days
November 65°/47°5 days
December 60°/44°7 days
January 60° / 44°8 days
February 61°/ 45°8 days
March 62° / 46°8 days
April 63° / 46°4 days
May 64° / 48°2 days
June 66° / 50°0 days
July68° / 53°0 days
August 69° / 53°0 days

Cool-type Cymbidiums grow like weeds here and bloom even you forgot to fertilize them.

[Roberta]

Question... do you have growing space outside? Depending on species (or parentage in the case of hybrids) a lot of those Laelias and Catts could grow outside, as well as some of the Oncidiums. I don't think that any that you have listed really need a significant temperature drop (beyond what happens naturally even in the house) or day length change, to bloom. Even if you have light in the house, it's at a level below what most of the plants would consider "light" - again very different than what comes in the window in summer.

If those plants have been growing in the house all the time, this isn't a good time to put them out, nights are already getting pretty cool. The ideal time is spring, so that they have spring/summer/fall to acclimate to the lower night temperatures. So you'll probably need to baby them as best you can through this winter. But in the spring, consider what could grow outside if you have the space (even a balcony) . So in deciding what could really grow outside, you'll need to get down to the specifics of each plant - genus alone is too broad for that determination.

[rbarata]

By keeping them inside, as Roberta sugested, you'll know which ones will bloom.

[Bythesea]

OK, thanks everyone. I do have quite a few different kinds blooming in the house as I have great light and good air circulation just by opening skylights and a window or two, which is possible most of the time. Furthermore, some of the plants that have not bloomed may still be too young as I succumbed to a sale at Santa Barbara Orchid Estates a couple of years ago and got several that were not blooming size yet.

[Ray]

I am not aware that any of the plants listed require thermal cycling - neither do phals, for that matter (some - not all - require a period with a drop in average growing temp, not cool nights).

I think "day/night temperature changes" are misunderstood with relation to blooming. It's all about developing "reserves", which may-, or may not be affected by temperatures, depending upon the particular plant.