help with phal

[justatypn]

Your phal looks quite happy. The sphag on top is for appearance purposes? Just watch your watering regimen, sphag can fool the best of them with it's retaining water behavior with the bark beneath it.

Light is important for any orchid but with phals they are actually pretty forgiving. They never object to northern windowsill light, otherwise, east or west with the plant being placed further from the light source. If growing on the porch or patio, no direct sun in summer, morning sun through a screen in the winter. Feeding regimen weak weekly is of my liking, during the winter months every 3 to 4 weeks. Always remember Good Air Circulation is Important. gl, keep us updated...7 years is a long time...have one as well that is half that long and still working it in different places in my growing area and finally have found its liking, low light during the day and early direct a.m. lighting...we will see. gl to you

[bonsai1504]

it is in a slatted basket with all sphag. i did NOT compact it so it is still nice and airy. i did switch my watering schedule for it too.

[bonsai1504]

here is a pic of the new leaf now!

[sucuz]

Originally Posted by Shirley

the important thing for phals is to give them some quite cool nights in the fall for a week or so (about October). Some people even put them in the fridge! After that time period some bloom booster fertilizer and they should be spiking in the spring.

This has been mentioned here before, but as a novice grower it kinda gives me pause. Refrigerator temps won't turn them into moosh? How cold can they go? Is this only for phals or can you do that with other tropical orchids as well? Inquiring minds want to know.

[justatypn]

Great recovery Bons, it looks very happy, but like some I have had in the past with sphag, if you think it needs watering it wont hurt to wait a day. Phals like their feet damp but a drying out wont harm them.

sucuz, phals like at least a 10+ degree drop in the fall to promote blooming in early spring. I have not practiced this putting them in a refrigerator, like myself I don't take a liking to the cold (Florida...that's the ticket ) so this is not something I do but my general rule of practice is if I am comfortable so are they and anything above and beyond the 10 degree's is a bonus and I have no problem having my phals in continual bloom.

[sucuz]

Originally Posted by justatypn

sucuz, phals like at least a 10+ degree drop in the fall to promote blooming in early spring. I have not practiced this putting them in a refrigerator, like myself I don't take a liking to the cold (Florida...that's the ticket ) so this is not something I do but my general rule of practice is if I am comfortable so are they and anything above and beyond the 10 degree's is a bonus and I have no problem having my phals in continual bloom.

I can understand the 10 degree temperature drop to produce spiking. I understand that phals are generally happy at comfortable temps that make me confortable also. I would not be happy sitting in a refrigerator for an hour, let alone a week or so. Low 50's can put a person into hyperthermia. A fridge is lower than that. This really won't croak 'em? I know that I should go to the orchid books and online reference materials, but this is a more fun way to learn.

[caseydoll]

Great job with the new leaf! It looks great! I think it was just neglected by it's previous owners. Now that it's getting the proper culture I'm sure it will award you with blooms in no time.

I can't believe putting a phal in a fridge would be good either. Maybe for other orchids like some dens that can take that low of a temp. I think phals are more easily damaged by cold temps then other orchids but I could be wrong...

[bonsai1504]

here's an update on the leaf. so you can see how much it has grown i put my finger next to it.