Phal spikes in July zone 5b?

[derv88]

I'm in zone 5b and have done the yearly transition of moving my growing rack from the upstairs to the basement to take advantage of the humidity in the basement and avoid the hot and dry upstairs.

Normally this time of year is a growth period for new leaf and root growth. This year, 4 or 5 of my Phals are shooting up spikes. This is unusual since these plants all pretty much flower in late fall through early to mid winter.

This seems strange to me, but I've only been growing orchids for a few years and successfully for only a couple of those years. It's definitely a different pattern than the last two years.

Anything I should be concerned about or did the harsh Chicago winter this year throw the plants off just like it did us?

TIA!

[lotis146]

I'm not an all mighty experienced one here but I'll take a stab and guess that the transition to what is presumably a cooler basement probably signaled a seasonal change to them, like they'd experience come fall/winter.

[james mickelso]

Phals flower more than once a year if grown correctly. I have some that are pushing spikes now and they finished flowering 2-3 short months ago. They flower when they have enough energy to do so. That they may flower when the temps change is not always correct depending on the species or parentage. Phals have been hybridized for lots of different traits and one of these traits is flowering more often and in different times of the year. Indeed the move may have triggered it.

[MattWoelfsen]

Have you considered putting your orchids outside? I've got all of my orchids outside and they are thriving. I am in the same zone as you. All of my Phalaenopsis are in bright shade--they get an hour of eastern sun and then another hour of western sunset. With all the rain we have had, it has been so easy carring for these Phals.

It is not unusual for any of my plants to spike and bloom at this time of year. As James opined, Phals have a bloom range from Spring to early Fall. As winter approaches, they seem to slow down.