Phals spiking

[mattryan]

I have several phals that are just starting to spike my question is what temp would be the best for them to be kept at? Also should the light they receive be more/less or the same? I have others that are beside them now that I am still waiting for to spike and I want to move the ones that already are in spike, so they don't keep getting the temp drop. Thanks forthe help

[Junebug]

Living in Florida, my climate is much different than yours. I'm an outdoor grower and my preference for phals is to protect them from temperatures that dip below 50 degrees.

[quiltergal]

Once the spike is initiated you can safely move the plant back to a warmer spot. Phals are intermediate to warm growers so I'd say at least high 60's to low 70's if you're growing inside.

[Paul Mc]

I find it interesting that they are spiking at this point in the year though. What species are they, or are they hybrids (bought at a grocery store, home store or something similar)? While some phal's do spike this time of year, not many do. Have you checked their roots and the medium they are in? How are they doing? Phal's will sometimes spike when they are in danger and produce babies to ensure survival of the species.

[camille1585]

On the contrary I thought that this was the usual time to be seeing some spikes, and I would say that it's the other way around, many Phals spike now and few later. The cooling down of temps when summer ends is just what Phals need to trigger spikes. All my hybrids are spiking now, as well as several of the species, although some species are spring spikers (like my Phal parishii)

[Paul Mc]

Camille, I knew some spiked this time of year, but I don't believe that the one's you would buy at a grocery store or garden center (hybrids) generally would. I just wanted to be sure. Otherwise, I would say you are correct. My experience with hybrids does not seem to indicate that this is the appropriate time. The nub might start this early, but usually it's later in the year. Of course, the temperature difference between where I am and the original writer might explain that as well.

I was just looking for some clarification.

[camille1585]

I'm pretty sure that the majority of mass produced hybrids are fall spikers, with some exceptions due to genetics.

As for the timing, it depends on climate yes, but also the weather patterns. I usually get spikes on all my hybrids in september-october. But with the warm spring and cool summer I started getting spikes in late July- early August this year.

[Paul Mc]

Really?!! That's fascinating! I never see my hybrids produce spikes until way later in the year, if not sometime early next year. That's really good to know Camille! Thank you for sharing. I do wonder if it's weather and climate related. I'm not sure what your climate is in relation to mine in the Midwest of the United States.

[Paula Frayne]

Hi,

My hybrid phals (grocery store types) have been spiking since the beginning of Sept and the rest will continue to put up spikes until the end of Oct.(fall/winter genetic makeup). The ones that don't spike now will start to do so in Feb/Mar (spring/summer genetic makeup).

These phals grow about 2 feet from a sliding glass door in my kitchen (southwest location). So I figure that the temp drop in the fall and the temp increase in the spring each contributes to the spiking that occurs, with each season creating the temperature change needed.

This works great and allows me to have phals flowering most of the year!

[quiltergal]

Most of mine are fall spikers too. We've just started having a bit of cool weather, so I don't expect to see any action until next month.