Need tips for Phalaenopsis Care

[JanieM]

Hey all!
So I bought my phalaenopsis orchid not long ago probably around summertime and, after lots of research, have been trying to do as much as I can to get my orchid to rebloom again. I've changed the watering routine to soaking it in a bowl every 7-10 days instead of using ice cubs and I also use a 19-31-17 Schultz Fertilizer for orchids. I follow the instructions on the bottle which says "Add 0.75 g (1/2 scoop) per 2.5 L of lukewarm water every time you water."
I've also cut the two stems it has after blooming: one all the way to the base because it fully turned brown and the other I cut first above the node underneath where the brown colour stopped on the stem, but then a month or so later (probably in August) I cut the stem again above the second node of the stem itself because I was scared it wasn't getting enough energy or something. (Yeah.. Was that a bad idea?) OH! and I added cinamon to the cut because apperantly that's what you're supposed to do?
Anyway, it hasn't grown any new spike and I'm just waiting, but all I want to know from all you lovely people is maybe a few helpful tips? Anything I should do/change?
I would love your feedback.
I've also added two pictures. One to show my orchid and where it's placed so that you guys know how much light it gets and the other to show the cut stem.
THANK YOU GUYS!

[WhiteRabbit]

Many Phals bloom annually, so some patience is needed

There's some good info here http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ad.php?t=44792 if you read the first few pages.

And a care sheet here https://www.aos.org/Default.aspx?id=217

[Jungeoma]

I'm thinking maybe a little more light

Jungeoma

[ollypolly]

Do you keep it at a constant temperature? I got some last Christmas (in the Aussie summer) that were bargain bin plants and we had a couple of cold snaps in winter and now they have new spikes (in Aussie Spring). So maybe they aren't in season either.

I also think it has a lot to do with luck.

[JanieM]

Originally Posted by ollypolly

Do you keep it at a constant temperature? I got some last Christmas (in the Aussie summer) that were bargain bin plants and we had a couple of cold snaps in winter and now they have new spikes (in Aussie Spring). So maybe they aren't in season either.

I also think it has a lot to do with luck.

Yeah I'm pretty sure the temperature is constant, but i have heard about dropping the temperature to make it spike. How do you think I should go about doing that?

[tarev]

Right now is a nice time to let the cool air in, early evening or early in the morning. That's why I do with my Phals. If it is ready, it would show some spikes in late Fall to early Spring.

[ollypolly]

I've never been to Canada so I don't know how much difference people have between inside house temp and outside temps but maybe you could put the plant outside overnight (before the weather gets really cold of course) or early morning and bring it inside during the day. Leaving a window open for a few hours may help too.

---------- Post added at 11:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 AM ----------

I found the following info here: www.clanorchids.com/culture/phalcult

In the late Fall, a short duration of temperatures below the low average are necessary to initiate flower spiking. About three weeks of night temperatures in the 52 to 54 ° F (around 11 ° C) range will insure good bud initiation. After this brief period of cooling, the Phals should be maintained in the normal range. The ideal annual temperature range is 60 ° F. (16 ° Celsius) to 85 ° F. (24°Celsius)

[campchi]

If its just recently finish blooming or recently cut the stems, give it a few months to recover. Should bloom again. You just have to have the patient and wait for it.

[Jungeoma]

Here in NM the temps are falling during the night and are in the 70's during the day. I have all my orchids out, not just the Phals. They seem to like that change in temps as they are all looking good except the little Sharry Baby with its brown tips.

[JanieM]

Thank you all! These are some great tips and I'm feeling alot more confident about taking care of my Phal, already!

I just have another question about Jungeoma's suggestion:

Originally Posted by Jungeoma

I'm thinking maybe a little more light

Jungeoma

So, in the first pictures I posted on this thread, on the left of my Phal was (I think) a North facing window (it was just covered by the yellow curtain you can see) and on the right of where my Phal was put is an east facing window, however, it's also covered by the same yellow curtain. After some research, I've read that east facing windows are good for Phals, however all the east facing windows are covered by curtains and it's difficult to move them or put my Phal up on a ledge right in front of the window because the ledge is too small.
So, I've taken my Phal to a ledge a bit far from this giant west facing window where I put the rest of my plants. I'll post some pictures taken in the morning. (The window on the far left of the first picture is the West facing window)
Anyway, my questions are - Is a west facing window okay for a Phal?
And - for curiosity's sake - What's the best window to grow your Phal in front of? (north facing, east facing, west facing, etc.) or Does it even matter?