Bring inside before/after spike appears?

[Doofinator]

Hi All,

After lurking here for most of the year, I have a question that I can't pinpoint.

My NOID Phals are kept in at a constant temperature at work. I've left them outside for the cool night time temperatures, and this Thursday they'll have been outside three weeks. I'm going to be out of the office for 2.5 weeks, and wanted to bring them back inside (Thursday) during this time.

Now for the question:

I don't see any spikes yet. Can I bring them back inside before spikes appear and still get blooms? Or do they need to stay outside with the cool temperatures until I see a spike?

Many Thanks!

[Orchid Whisperer]

Regardless, I would bring them inside if you will be gone 2.5 weeks this time of year. Unless, of course, you have a reliable friend that can bring them in if it gets too cold.

The recommendation for temperature decrease is about 4 to 5 weeks (77 F day, 68 F night), have a look at this article for more info: http://www.hrt.msu.edu/faculty/Runkl...sis_Part_3.pdf BTW, if you substitute 1, 2, and 4 right before the .pdf in the web address, you can download the entire 4-part series on Phalaenopsis; published by AOS, most of the authors from Michigan State Univ.

You may still get spike formation if you bring them in - hard to tell for sure.

[Optimist]

I thought that cooling down for phals was to trick them of seasonal change. To think that they only spike when cool would infer that they never have flowers in tropical areas.

[tarev]

In tropical areas, most of them are on trees so they get more breeze, cooler..so they will spike easily.

In our indoor environments, temps are most constant. So if you really want to see that spike, it needs to feel that temperature cool down.

Now as for the OP's question, I would bring them back in, if no one can look out for them. Better to have them indoors by a window with sheer curtains than destroyed by drastic weather changes..like sudden hail or too strong rain etc.

[Doofinator]

Thank you all for the advice and the link-very informative.

Yes, I was aware that Phals are tropical, but since most of us are not growing them in their natural environments, I was in need of some advice.

I will bring them in tomorrow, and hope for the best while I'm away.

Thanks again!

[jmmehler]

It is my understanding that phals can tolerate dips (not constant) temperatures into the upper 40s.

Last October I put mine out in the porch, on some shelves covered in thick plastic. I had cfl bulbs providing lighting under the plastic, and set to come on at night. the small amount of heat generated by the cfls kept the temperatures above the lowest lows at night, and the plants experienced some drastic cooling. Only problem was that they all bloomed at once last Janurary.

This year I started early. Put about 8 out there now (timers during day time). In about 3 weeks, I'll put 8 - 10 more and so on.

[Doofinator]

Thank you everyone,

My phals did well. My two at work that I had to bring in earlier than I wanted have great looking roots.

My phal that I left with my mom has a new spike and leaf! I was able to leave that one outside until the last minute. However, I did get one leaf with cold damage, which I cut off when I brought it inside.

Next question: Is it common for a phal to grow and leaf and spike at the same time? I am thinking this will diminish the size of my blooms. Any advice on how to prevent this?

Even more questions: How can I induce two spikes at the same time? You see it in Lowe's all the time, and I'm sure it's got to do with optimal conditions, but I'm wondering if it's mostly got to do with feeding regimen.

Last question: What do you folks think of Bob Gordon's Article, "Phalaenopsis Flower Induction (or, How To Make Them Bloom)?" It seems like pretty good advice, it's this feeding schedule that I'm wondering will give the most blooms.

THANKS!!!!

[camille1585]

I don't think it's very easy to induce double spikes, without having the level of control that commercial growers have. I think what they do is keep the plants in 'growth' mode for a much longer time (so constant temps), feed them like crazy, and when the plants are big and strong, then apply the temperature decrease. Then they get double spikes on a vast majority of the plants.

Of course it also depends on the Phal in question, some have genetics that make them more prone to multiple spikes.

The best we can do to encourage multiple spikes is to give the best conditions and care possible. Healthy, well grown, and mature plants are much more likely to put out more than one spike.

Originally Posted by Optimist

I thought that cooling down for phals was to trick them of seasonal change. To think that they only spike when cool would infer that they never have flowers in tropical areas.

It's not a specific temperature that will get them to spike, but just having lower temps compared to what they are used to. There is no need to get them down to chilly temps.

[mimigirl]

I was just about to ask similar questions! I put out my cool nite lovers and was wondering for how long they need to be out. It's been low to mid 50's and i have them enclosed in shade screen in morn sun. Its been only 5 days but i will check them out today and hope nobody is looking unhappy!

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by mimigirl

I was just about to ask similar questions! I put out my cool nite lovers and was wondering for how long they need to be out. It's been low to mid 50's and i have them enclosed in shade screen in morn sun. Its been only 5 days but i will check them out today and hope nobody is looking unhappy!

Are you talking about Phals or other orchids?

For Phals and for most people the natural temperature drop in the fall (even for orchids kept indoors), is more than enough to induce spikes. I have never put my phals outside, but I still get a profusion of spikes every fall/winter