Struggling to get phal position right

[CrazyCatMum]

Hello my little oracles!

I have 4 Phals that I have had for about 5 years. They have always lived on my north facing kitchen windowsill. They have plenty of beautiful leaves and roots, but never any flowers. I came to the conclusion that because my kitchen is always warm, they maybe weren't getting the temperature drop they needed so I have now moved them to a west facing window. We are now approaching autumn in the UK with lower light levels. Have I done the right thing?

[Ray]

University studies have shown that a simple day-night temperature drop is not reliable for initiating inflorescences in phalaenopsis. To do so, the plant must be exposed to a 10-14 day period in which the average growing temperature is 10°-15°F lower than the average temperature in which it had been growing. After that period, best spike growth and flowering was achieved when the plant was returned to the warmer conditions.

[CrazyCatMum]

Ah that's good. My living is much cooler all day than my kitchen so hopefully that will help. Thank you

[Kittyfrex]

Keep them on the cool side until they show a spike. From there, it should be fine returning them back.

[FranningtonBear]

I'm also in the UK and grow my Phals on windowsills. Some are east facing and others have a westerly outlook, I never move them and they hardly ever stop blooming!

My guess is that despite being lower light orchids, they aren't getting quite enough light in a northern aspect?

[CrazyCatMum]

Originally Posted by FranningtonBear

I'm also in the UK and grow my Phals on windowsills. Some are east facing and others have a westerly outlook, I never move them and they hardly ever stop blooming!

My guess is that despite being lower light orchids, they aren't getting quite enough light in a northern aspect?

I'll certainly be interested to see if moving them changes things! My Mum's face north and never stop blooming. I did once get told I look after them too well and that's why they don't flower...how true that is I have no idea but it makes me chuckle

[estación seca]

Too much nitrogen also inhibits Phal. flowering. How are you fertilizing?

[CrazyCatMum]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Too much nitrogen also inhibits Phal. flowering. How are you fertilizing?

Over the summer I used an orchid specific fertiliser once or twice a month but I've eased that back off now

[estación seca]

Once or twice a month might be appropriate, depending on what's in it. What are the numbers on the fertilizer? In what proportions are you mixing it?

[CrazyCatMum]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Once or twice a month might be appropriate, depending on what's in it. What are the numbers on the fertilizer? In what proportions are you mixing it?

Nitrogen 5.3%
Phosphorus 2.2%
Potassium Oxide 0.85%

5 drops to 1 pint of rain water and then I run it through the bark rather than letting it soak in it