Concerned about temperatures for my Phal

[Blue_Morphae]

I'm not particularly new to phalaenopsis orchids but I am very novice at the specific instructions as to care for them. In the past, I had more of a shooting in the breeze attitude to it and the conditions where I kept it were ideal so it flourished.

However, my first orchid died when I changed states. I guess the transition was just too much shock.

Either way, I now have two orchids that I would very much like to keep around for a long, long time. That being said, my humidity level right now is about 55% with the temperature high being around 72 degrees and the low, on average, around 39 degrees. Are the low temps at night going to harm my orchid or is there something I should do to protect them?

[tuvoc]

That is pretty low for a Phal. A more ideal range would be around 60 nights, and mid seventies or higher daytime. Just out of curiosity, are they outside. If so, bring them in. They should be fine for the winter that way.

Kim

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

"Blue Morphae", we in Southern California can't grow most Phalaenopsis orchids outdoors, because of the temperatures.

Very few Phals can tolerate that kind of cold weather, and they are the most unusual Phalaenopsis species you'll ever encounter (they go deciduous and usually originate from places like China).

The humidity is fine.

[Blue_Morphae]

My orchids are kept inside 90% of the time. If it's warm out, I place them outside for a few hours in indirect sunlight. I suppose I should have specified that in my initial posting.

I would never, ever leave them out at night however.

I just don't know what kind of temperature they keep in the evening at the center where I work. That's where I keep my orchids because it has a more consistent environment and the kids just love them.

Thanks for the advice.
~Shay

[RosieC]

If it really goes as low as 39 that could be a problem for them. I would always avoid my Phals going that low.

Can you get a little min/max thermomitor and leave it with them overnight to see what's happening. I try and keep a minimum of 59 for mine in the winter and even then they go dormant over the winter.

[Ray]

Personally, I never let phals get lower than about 65°F if I can help it, especially if they are in a moist medium (they HATE cold, wet "feet").

Patting Ross on the back yet again for suggesting them, keeping them on a seedling heat mat allows you to the ambient temperature to occasionally drop as low as 45°-50°, while keeping the root system cozy.