new member phal question

[floydpink]

Hi,

new member from Orlando enjoying my first growth season.

Repotted this phal and am amazed at the root growth but am worried it may be too crowded as I have not personally seen so many roots before.

[tucker85]

It's not too crowded. Orchids do best when they're root bound in small pots. Phals should be planted in the smallest pot that their roots can fit in. Your pot is fine. You really wouldn't want to put it in a larger pot. Orchid growers become accustomed to lots of unruly roots.

[floydpink]

Thank you.
As a fellow Floridian, would you say I should expect spikes sometime around October?

And lastly, I normally only bring my orchids inside when the outside temp drops below 55. Is this ok?

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Thank you.
As a fellow Floridian, would you say I should expect spikes sometime around October?

And lastly, I normally only bring my orchids inside when the outside temp drops below 55. Is this ok?

Some orchids are triggered to bloom by the length of daylight hours (photo-period) but phalaenopsis are induced to bloom by a drop in temperature. In South Florida the temperature doesn't drop enough to induce flower spikes until around November. In Orlando you may get cool enough weather as early as October, I'm not sure though. I don't know what temperature they need to start spiking, I'm thinking maybe upper 50's. The flower spikes take a long time to grow so you usually don't actually get flowers for several months. I definitely bring phals in if it's going to be below 50 degrees. Cold, windy days can be especially damaging to orchids. But I leave them outside if it's going down to the mid 50's, so that spiking will be triggered. Of course once you see flower spikes, the plant no longer needs the cool weather and you can bring them indoors .

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't have a lot if Phal experience, but a couple I have/had spike in early spring ...

[kindrag23]

i agree with all that tucker85 it looks very happy to me. I don't think I have ever seen such happy air roots either. Great job!

[tucker85]

I checked two of my books for temperature requirements for phals. They say that 62 degrees to 85 degrees is the optimum temperature for growing phals. The books differ on requirements for blooming. One book says that temperatures below 58 degrees are not required for blooming. It also said that temperatures below 55 can damage the plants. So you were right about bringing phals in when the temp is below 55. The other book says that keeping the maximum temperature below 75 degrees for three weeks will induce blooming.

Amazon.com: Moth Orchids: The Complete Guide to Phalaenopsis (9780881928709): Steven A. Frowine: Books

Culture of the Phalaenopsis Orchid: Bob Gordon: 9780961571405: Amazon.com: Books

[kindrag23]

So would 90+ would be hot I am guessing even in shade?

[tucker85]

My books say that temperatures above 85 degrees cause phalaenopsis to slow their growth.

[floydpink]

Interesting. My limited knowledge has thinking their native habitats tend to be quite warm.

I know my patio is pushing 100 this time of year.

Not saying that's optimal by any stretch