Phal Help

[bballr4567]

Thanks for the confirmation Bud.

[The Orchid Boy]

The heater is very small. It is only for 4 orchids under lights in the basement. I have a cieling fan going 24/7. Would it be good to get a small fan and place it by the heater? The orchids have to be within a foot of the heater for it to provide warmth for them. Here is the link for the 100 watt heater I'm using: All Living Things Ceramic Heat Emitter - Heating - Reptile - PetSmart

[bballr4567]

I have a ceramic heater that is a normal one that has the fan built in. Not a problem heating up my plants as I can get the area around them up to 85 with air circulation.

The radiation of heat off that reptile heater might be the problem.

[The Orchid Boy]

Any recomendations for small heater to heat just a 4 foot long place under lights?
Josh, what is the specific name of the heater, how big is it, and where can you get it?

[bballr4567]

Mine is just a general small heater from Wal-Mart. Lasko brand. It has temp controls and two fan settings when on heat.

IIRC, it was around $15.

[The Orchid Boy]

One more phal question. One of my phals under lights (the one with the worse burn) has purple spots and stripes on the underside of the leaves. What is this caused by? I thought I heard something about it being from a lot of light. If one has it why doesn't the other one have it?

[The Orchid Boy]

What is purple phal leaf coloration caused by? (See above post.)

[Phal grower]

A reddish to purple tint is an orchids version of a suntan produce by protective pigments. Your plants might be getting just a bit to much light. Thats my guess.

[silken]

It depends on the type of Phal and what colour the flower is too. My Phals that have purple or pink in them often have purple pigmentation in the leaves and the stems and buds can be very purple even without getting excessive light.

[The Orchid Boy]

My phal has purple spikes and purple flowers so it could be part of its traits.