Couple questions about blooming?

[butterfly_muse]

Hi guys! I have a couple of questions about getting an orchid to bloom. I have read that exposing them to temperatures (I believe at night? Or is this all day?) of around 60 degrees or so for a couple of weeks will entice them to spike. Is this true no matter what or only if you do it within the orchid's natural cycle of growing/flowering?

Second, can you put them outside for that time period? I can't stand our house to be any less than about 67 (I am a wimp, I get very cold very easily), and hopefully in the next month or so the temperature will stop being schizophrenic and will stabilize in the 60s during the day. I would likely bring it in at night because the temps would drop to the 40s or so. Also my patio is south facing, and if it was allowed outside what would be the best way to protect it from too much sun?

If I can't put it outside, how can I simulate that kind of temperature without plummeting my thermostat into the 60s?

I have two phals, one is in recovery but the other one is extremely strong and happy, and that is the one I would like to see spike. I inherited it from a co-worker and it was dyed blue when she had it, so I have no idea a) what its flowers even look like, though I am guessing they are white and b) when its natural blooming cycle is. I have read that they tend to bloom in fall or spring...Is there any way for me to find out when its natural bloom is?

Thanks!

[Tim C.]

The way I was taught to get Phals to bloom is to expose them to 55ish degrees at night for a week or two - I don't think the daytime temps matter too much.

They can be outside during that time, just watch for excessive rain as it might water-log the medium or get in the Phal's crown, causing crown rot.

There are many good ways of protecting orchids from too much sun while they're outside. The easiest would probably be to put it under a tree so the tree's leaves and branches provide shade. You could also use shade cloth to make a shaded area for them, if you or someone you know is handy with tools and basic wood construction. Lattice would also be a good shading material. You can get creative with providing shade - the material doesn't matter so much as the fact that the plants are getting the shade they need.

As far as finding the natural bloom cycle, I've seen hybrid Phals bloom at any time during the year, though mostly in the fall or spring as you stated. Once one hybrid's genes get mixed with more and more hybrids, the bloom season becomes less and less set in stone. It's the species and primary hybrids that really tend to have their flowering set for a specific season.

-Tim

[Cym Ladye]

Temperature and light play a part in inducing bloom for Phals if they are in tune with the genetic make-up. Another factor which can induce bloom is to repot the plant in fresh media.

Cym Ladye

[Ordphien]

I thought the temperature at night wasn't as important as a 10*-15* day to night difference.

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[butterfly_muse]

I just repotted it in fresh media, and that is good to know that I can keep it outside at night. I will bring it back in during the day cuz I keep the blinds down which filters the sunlight. Sweet, thanks

[WhiteRabbit]

Phals don't like to be very cold... What are your night temps? They should probably be no lower than mid-50s

Your profile says you are in DC ? Looking at weather info, it is much too cold outside at night for Phals.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Phals don't like to be very cold... What are your night temps? They should probably be no lower than mid-50s

Your profile says you are in DC ? Looking at weather info, it is much too cold outside at night for Phals.

Yes, it's WAY too cold right now...XD Which is why I said once the temperatures stop being schizophrenic and stabilize, hehe. It was like 60 degrees two days before that huge "snow storm" (that was really rain) a couple weeks ago...and the temp plummeted again ever since. =(

I am hoping that by mid-late April the temps will be pretty consistently in the 60s or so, at the very latest it should get there by May.

[Tim C.]

Originally Posted by Ordphien

I thought the temperature at night wasn't as important as a 10*-15* day to night difference.

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From what I recall, with Phals it's the actual night temperature itself - not necessarily the amount of the change in temp from daytime. If I remember correctly, the change in temps - as well as the daylight photoperiod - is what induces some Cattleyas and their relatives to bud.

I'm sure there are other genera that need the change in temps to bud, too, I just don't know offhand.

-Tim

[Ferns Daddy]

I put my phals near the window at night where its cooler than the rest of the room and 2 have started to spike for me, day time temps are around 72 and night temps in the room is about 65,but near the window its a lot cooler

[NYCorchidman]

Do not expose your phals at temperature 60 or 55. That is too cold for them and is not necessary at all!

I grow all my phal hybrids in my apartment (warm all year around and just a little cooler duing cold season but never lower than 70 or 65 if ever). Mine all bloom on time.
Slightly temperature drop than usual is the cue for phals to start making spikes.

By the way, I don't think the thread originator is only talking about phals but orchids.
That is too general, but many orchids will respond to day length and/or temperature change along with available water in blooming.
So you really have to find out wht orchid you are dealing with before taking actions.

With regard to phals in bloom being available year around is because commercial growers control temperature to manipulate flowering season. It is easy to do so with phals hence, they are always in the market no matter what time of the year it is.