Quote:
Originally Posted by c123anderson
Thank you for this PSA for us Northern Hemis.
My previous winter experience was ignore and everything was “fine” (forced a spike and propagation) with my hardy Phalaenopsis. Collection has grown dramatically, though, so I think the concerns are valid.
Previous (long ago) experience was using a grow light during winter. We are far enough north that our days are very long in summer (16-18 hours) and much short in winter (7-8 hours). I’m suspecting a grow light may help maintain some temps, too, but I’d love to get others’ opinions and thoughts on what works/doesn’t work.
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I’m in a very similar position— northern latitude (central ny) and an old drafty house. My NOID phals have done okay with this, but anything more sensitive suffers. I just had a Phragmipedium near a window show cold damage this weekend. Most of my new acquisitions are species phals which I don’t want to lose this winter…
On the advice of some members, I bought a clear tent to cover my shelving unit. I have led lights, but I also set up my older flourescent shop lights mostly to add heat to the system. All the phals sit on seedling heat pads. The temps have been perfect so far (mid 80s) but humidity was still low even with humidity trays, so I just added a levoit lv600hh humidifier.