The Phal abuse ends here.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

General cultural requirements:

Temp: 55 F - 95 F (13 C - 35 C)
Relative Humidity: 50% - 80%
Light: shade - bright shade
Air Movement: moderate

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Q: Is it better to wait till the inflorescence dries out and turns brown before removing them.

A: Generally speaking, that is the best time to remove them. The caveat being the ones that re-spike from older spikes - this is done at the grower's discretion.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Q: Is it possible to grow Phals under artificial lighting?

A: Yes. CFL's and T5's or T8's are fine. Just make sure that the Kelvin temperatures are within the range of 5500K and 6700K. The wattage of the bulbs varies in context of the situation.

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Q: Is it possible to grow Phals under artificial lighting?

A: Yes. CFL's and T5's or T8's are fine. Just make sure that the Kelvin temperatures are within the range of 5500K and 6700K. The wattage of the bulbs varies in context of the situation.

I have my phals (now out of bloom) under tracklighting over a counter top. The bulbs are regular 'grow' bulbs for house plants. They (4 of them) are about 3ft from the phals, which are on a humidity tray. So far the phals are sending out new roots...are these lights OK?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

I have my phals (now out of bloom) under tracklighting over a counter top. The bulbs are regular 'grow' bulbs for house plants. They (4 of them) are about 3ft from the phals, which are on a humidity tray. So far the phals are sending out new roots...are these lights OK?

What's the wattage of the bulbs?

The "grow bulbs" should have Kelvin temperature ratings to them. Many florescent lights do. The Kelvin ratings can sometimes be difficult to find on the bulb or package.

For example...

I bought a pair of daylight compact florescent light bulbs from The Home Depot a while back, and the Kelvin rating on these bulbs are 5000 K. It's printed on the package, underneath the barcode.

[greenpassion]

I have another question for the King. I have read all the posts in "Phal abuse..." and have read that one should not allow water to pool on the leaves or crown of the phal. But then I read that misting helps with humidity. Misting will cause water to pool in the junctions and such on the orchid. Mine are on a humidity tray (don't really know if it does much for them) and I don't know if I should mist them or what. It seems so many of the members here have orchid set ups that are much more competent (?) then mine. I have 5 phals and one oncidium in my living room /kitchen, no where near a window, (no light) under chip tec led lights, on a humidity tray. The phals (I have no idea what kind of phals they are) have all bloomed, and I've cut off the spike close to the crown. I see new healthy roots, but it's been 3 to 4 mths with no sign of a new spike= no flowering. I don't know how I'll mangage to 'lower the temps' to encourage flowering. I keep the house around 65 all winter....? but it's august now, probably around 70 or so inside. I rely on these posts completely as I am so new and in love with orchids. I'm like a dog with a bone. I refuse to give up if I run into trouble. I want to be an orchid grower when I grow up, and needless to say, Phillip is my go to guy without a doubt.

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[alley]

Philip, I'm wanting to get some T5's for my phals. I have 4 phals....how many bulbs and at what Kelvin each should I be looking for? thanks in advance

[alley]

Also, How long per day should I put them under the lights and when?

[silken]

Originally Posted by alley

Philip, I'm wanting to get some T5's for my phals. I have 4 phals....how many bulbs and at what Kelvin each should I be looking for? thanks in advance

I'm no expert on this but I don't think anyone addressed this question for you. The T5's I have are from Sunblaster SunBlaster Lighting - Fluorescent lighting for home, garden and business. Here is some info on them. As it says they are 6400k which is a fairly full spectrum light which covers the blooming and growing needs fairly well. These lights are quite bright and I don't even keep my phals under them. I use them for cattleyas, dendrobiums and other orchids requiring fairly bright light. If you are putting phals under them, I would probably have the fixtures at least 2 feet or even more above them. If you keep an eye on the plants and watch for sunburn then you will know if it is too close. Since I just use a 60W fluorescent bulb and some natural daylight for my own phals, I can't say for sure. 4 phals would do fine near an eastern window or even a southern one with shading or a western one. Just make sure the leaves don't actually get warm from the sun (or lights). If you still want to use the T5's, 1 or 2 would be plenty.

Maybe someone else with more technical knowledge will have an opinion but that is my thought. Hope that helps.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Q: What's the best potting media to use for growing Phals?

A: The answer varies according to the environment where the Phal is being grown or according to the habits of the grower.

However...

Most people have had very poor success rates growing in a potting media that is 100% moss.

The potting media that most people seem to do well with are bark, coconut husk chips (CHC), and semi-hydroponic (SH) materials such as LECA.

special note: I have not grown some of the lithophytic species of Phals yet, I don't know if something like a limestone potting medium will work or not, nor do I know the specific procedure.

For now growing in something such as LECA is sufficient for the lithophytes.