Habitat question

[tim abbott]

I live in east central Florida ( Cocoa Beach) and I keep my orchids outside although I have brought them in a couple of nights. I have several phals that are growing flower spikes & a catt that has 3 nice buds ready to open. It seems late in the year for that activity, is it because of the temperature zone or do cooler temperatures stimulate blooming? Thanks.

Tim Abbott

[dounoharm]

i would say its the difference between the day/nite temps and the length of the daylight that stimulates the phals to bud. catts seem to bloom whenever thier season is, or on the development of the new growth. happy growing!

[CoolPhrog]

I have three phals that are in spike and it is because of the temp differences....mine will spike when night temps drop to about 65 though I don't leave them outside in those conditions for long....sounds like your are happy!

[tim abbott]

Thanks Dounoharm & Irphrog.

Tim Abbott

[Ray]

It is quite well-established that growing at cooler average temperatures initiates spikes in most phals.

Catt, on the other hand, tend to respond more to day length.

[jkofferdahl]

Cooler temperatures do make a difference. They really like the drop at night. I have about 10 or 11 Phals spiking now, including a P stuartiana that is absurdly young to spike - leaf span of maybe 4-5 inches (I wouldn't have considered it close to blooming size, but there's the spike). I'm sure it's because of the cool nights they're getting.