Seasonal Changes or something to worry about with my Phals?

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by akhenenra

thank you that's a good idea about the jugs. I am working on getting my husband to help me get a hose bib in there.

well that would be even better with low flow/pressure!! the only reason we don't use a traditional watering can is becuase it sprays water everywhere including the leaves and crowns. it you can direct the hose str8 to the media, you are there! and yes, cachepots are expensive, but they make the collection look better, and i couldn't envision growing phals without them

[estación seca]

12 hours of light in summer and 10 in winter is enough. Extra light causes extra water stress with no benefits.

[SADE2020]

I agreed with prior comments, looks all too dry, like a desert 🐫 ..instead of a tropical 🌴 habitat.

[Dimples]

Phals are CAM plants. They require darkness as part of the photosynthesis process. They’re also from the tropics, where days are right around 12 hours long all year. Exactly 12 at the equator and slightly variable as you move north/south, but 18 hour days are unnecessary.

This article suggests 12 hours of total light with 8 hours of PPF saturation is basically the max. Anything beyond that doesn’t change the plant’s performance, it just wastes energy. If you’re lighting is dimmer, you need the extra hours. If you’re using a HPS I doubt you need the extra run time.

Photosynthetic Light Requirements and Effects of Low Irradiance and Daylength on Phalaenopsis amabilis in: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science Volume 137 Issue 6 (2012)

[c123anderson]

May I chime in and add that if I'm worried about water, I will sometimes set water in a container nearby to allow the evaporation to add to the ambient humidity. This may also help.

If you're not watering by soaking through, you may not be watering enough. Like tmoney pointed out, this is beating a dead horse. Misting may also be helpful. I live in a drier climate, so misting, especially for some dedrobiums I have that like more humidity, has helped.

Tweak then assess and then continue or tweak again.

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[akhenenra]

Wanted to say thanks everybody, I about doubled the watering and they are looking better. Appreciated.