Minimum Temperature for Phals

[lexusnexus]

I have a phal that has gone out of bloom and need to get it into a place with cooler evening temperatures. So far that has been easy to do in my condo. One of the bedrooms faces north and is considerably colder (never below 60) than the rest of my place with the door closed. With the change in weather the temperature difference is going to lessen, So now my only option is to put it outdoors at night. The low tonight is supposed to be in the high 40's. Is that okay? No issues with freezes.

[Paul Mc]

I would say 60F as a minimum, and maybe 55F if you really push and risk it.

Where are you located? It just stopped blooming? If it just finished blooming, then it will need to feel the ebb and flow of temperatures seasonally until the next flowering season. If it doesn't get the various day and night temps, it won't really know when to bloom.


Paul McMahon
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[Paul Mc]

Ah. I see you are in DC.

Let it experience spring, summer, fall and winter (but not below the recommended temps at night) and given all other factors are good, it will bloom again in late winter/early spring if that is its true flower spike time.


Paul McMahon
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[lexusnexus]

Yeah, it pretty much ended its blooming for the year. Sounds like I need to keep it in that bedroom until it warms up a bit more. Thanks. One more question, should I cut the blooming spike off near the stem?

[Paul Mc]

Glad I understood you correctly. There were a few potential things I wasn't sure about. LOL...

Personally, I'd leave the spike until it has dried up and then cut it off about a half inch from the base. If it's not brown and dried, then it's still "living" and a cut may hurt it and invite issues.


Paul McMahon
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[lexusnexus]

Thanks, Paul. I appreciate your advice. I have had some success a few years ago with a phal. But, because of some major surgeries, I had to live with my partner for quite awhile and the phal died from neglect. I have subsequently purchased 3 blooming phals, a NoId from a local nursery, and two beauties from Waldor's at the Philly Flower Show. I also have another phal and a paph coming from Hausermann's. Yeah, I got bit by the bug.

[Paul Mc]

LOL!!! No problem and enjoy!

I broke my ribs a year ago. Between the pain and pain killers for many months, I lost quite a few myself. I cried when I dumped them in the trash, but not sure if it was just the pain from the movement or the pain of losing one of my precious orchids! ROFL! So I get it. Glad you are getting back into it!


Paul McMahon
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[james mickelso]

I am wondering why you want to put it into cool temps. Are you trying to get further blooms? It's not necessary. I grow quite a few phals and they do just fine with little temperature variation. They are blooming again. Some after just a few months. Some are growing new leaves. Some new roots. A couple have gone more than 6 months since last blooming. Find where they grow best in your environment and keep them there. They will bloom when they are healthy enough. Some more often than others. Good culture will be the most beneficial to the plant.

[Subrosa]

Fwiw I was pressed for space when someone gave me a bunch of rescue Phals this winter, and the only place I had room for them was in my laundry room. Because I heat my house almost completely with wood, the heater practically never runs, and that room was once part of the garage. No insulation, so I keep the door closed. I keep my cold dry winter Dendrobiums in there. Lowest air temp was in the low 40s on a very cold morning. There was frost on the inside of the windows. Phals are fine.

[Paul Mc]

James, I wondered the same. After careful consideration of the words used, I assumed further blooming wasn't the issue/question. I might have been wrong though, so glad you stated that.


Paul McMahon
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