My first ever phal has yet to spike for me

[camille1585]

You say that this Phal is a little bit more shaded than the others. Could be that you may need to boost the light a bit more. Sometimes that's all that's needed to help it spike, and I have noticed in my phal collection that some need more light than others. I would assume that the night temperature is good for spiking if you are getting spike on other Phals. Do you know how cool it gets at night where it is?

A trick you can try is to add some epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to its water for a few weeks. Magnesium is sometimes the limiting factor for spiking, and increasing the amount the plant gets can help trigger blooming. I was curious when I read this and used it on a cym that refused to bloom for years (despite proper culture) and the one year I used epsom salts it spiked. It's usually used at a dosage of 1 teaspoon per gallon (US gallon), and used for 4-5 waterings.

[marydaniellesantos]

Originally Posted by Merlyn

The 10-15 degree difference in temp is NOT forcing it to bloom, it's trying to duplicate what in nature would be initiating it to bloom !!! It's not the drastic measures some vendors use to get Phals to the market on Mothers' Day or Easter ! They FORCE them to bloom at a financially convenient time for them to sell !

By no means was I trying to suggest that it was forcing a bloom like vendors do. I was just trying to suggest to wait for it to naturally bloom and other ways to have the friend see it. I apologize if my last post upset you. Maybe I should have clarified what I was trying to say.