Phal wont spike HELP!

[aaronsaxton]

If your Phal has been subjected to the conditions as you state, then the reason for a lack of blooming is going to be due to a not sufficient increase in light after a cooling period, or possibly, a nutrient issue. Do you water and mist the Phal very often during the winter period?

[Eahonn]

I did just start fert on a more regular basis. But it gets misted and watered as it dries.

[aaronsaxton]

A picture would assist, showing the condition of the leaf - there has to be a reason, and the condition of the plant would indicate a lot.

[Eahonn]

There are photos on the previous page

[aaronsaxton]

Hmmm... Give them Cal-Mag in addition to ferts and ensure the medium goes dry for a day or two between waterings. If you are misting them, make sure it is very lite so the medium is not at all wet.

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[Eahonn]

Will give it a try thanks for the input

[orchid623]

Eahonn - I don't live too far from you. This week, starting tomorrow (3/12) the temps are going to be perfect outdoors for Phals. I'm setting mine out! The temperature change is what worked for me in the fall. The days will be in the 70's and the nights in the mid 50's. Several weeks of this temperature swing should get it to bloom.

Make sure to put it in a relatively shaded area that still gets lots of indirect light. I picked an area on the south side of my house that has some tall pine trees to filter the sun.

[Eahonn]

Ok it's been outside like you suggested and I am leaving it as long as temps don't get below freezing. Sound about right? When should I bring it back

[orchid623]

I'm leaving mine out for the whole summer through the fall! If it gets below 50F or so, I feel more comfortable bringing them back inside for that night. I have left them out into the upper 40s a couple of times with no bad results, in fact, I'm certain that stress is what made them spike!

If you are going to let them get chilly like that, it's a good idea to make sure that whatever your plant is potted in is on the dry side. Cold and wet soil = fungus/root rot, etc.

[silken]

I think close to freezing (example 35F) is too cold. Likely 45F is the coldest I would risk for nighttime temps.