Is this a normal cycle for a phal?

[floranewb206]

That's crazy! I recently went on vacation to the Bahamas and it was 90 there in early February and I was dying, ha. I don't know how Indonesians can stand that heat.

I just did some quick research and, if this lives to the day, during winter I could get a heat mat for it. Or maybe look into getting another plant that is ok in cooler temps I guess.

As weird as it is, I do have a cactus that blooms in our weather maybe I'll just get another cactus. LOL.

[WhiteRabbit]

Of course, different species and hybrids will vary, but I keep my home quite cool in winter (low 60s days, lower 50s overnight. and the my few Phals (hybrids) are ok with it. I don't know that they would be ok with that year-round. But yours should be ok if it will get maybe temps in 70s daytimes soon, a bit cooler at night.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Your temperatures suit growing some of the cooler growing orchids.

A few of them tend to be spectacular and unusual. Have you ever thought about growing orchids in the genera Cyrtochilum, Odontoglossum, Masdevallia, Dracula, Pleurothallis, Porroglossum, Barbosella, Restrepia, Restrepiosis, Stelis, or Dryadella?

[RosieC]

Hold on, here I grow phals fine and we rarely get into the 80's here. Mostly in summer I'm getting between 70 and 75, with odd days going warmer (though the house stays more constant). Winter (and just now) I'm getting in the 60s (and yes we think it's a bit cold for the season, it was 62 when I left the house this morning).

There is no mention of a specific phal that needs it so much warmer, I don't think phals need temps in the 90s even if that's what they are used to in the wild.

Having said that, cool drafts can cause bud blast like you have seen, as can root problems.

I would check the roots, but it doesn't sound to me like you've been watering too much. When the roots turn silivery (including those down in the pot, can you see through the pot?) then it's time to water again. There are methods of watering that don't let them dry (so don't let people talking about that confuse you) but for a beginner the best guide is the silvery roots.

[floranewb206]

Very good to hear some other people's phals have done ok in the same temps! I have been going by a quote on this forum that said if it's just turned dry and silver then to still wait an extra day. I can see a few roots under the bark and they are green and look very healthy. It's just the one pictured above that partially looks dead.

Thank you for the names of other species that like cooler weather, if this one doesn't make it I'll try one of those next : )

[RosieC]

I have roots looking like that at the surface. Often arial roots that grew in more humid conditions die back, but I don't worry about that, others may grow which are more tailored to your conditions and if the ones in the pot are fine then I wouldn't worry.