How cold does it need to be for spike

[jaylla]

I have 2 phal orchids and I'm trying to get them to bloom. It's finally getting cold here and the past week it's been getting down to around 64 in the house at night. Is that cold enough to initiate the spikes? I don't really want to let the temperature in my house get down in the 50s.

Also, how long does it take for the cooler temperatures to cause a spike? I'm really anxious. I've never even seen one of my plants flower before and don't know what it will look like.

They keep making more and more roots but no spikes yet.

[snowflake311]

I have 3 Phals with spikes growing. All seemed to happen at once. I keep mine in a south facing window. My day temps can get up to 80 in the window. average is 70 in the house. At night it drops to 60.

I have one that is blooming for the first time since I got it a year ago. I almost killed it so it took a long time to want to flower again. I am so excited.

Sounds like your temp is good but how is the light where the plants are.

[jaylla]

Originally Posted by snowflake311

I have 3 Phals with spikes growing. All seemed to happen at once. I keep mine in a south facing window. My day temps can get up to 80 in the window. average is 70 in the house. At night it drops to 60.

I have one that is blooming for the first time since I got it a year ago. I almost killed it so it took a long time to want to flower again. I am so excited.

Sounds like your temp is good but how is the light where the plants are.

I have them in an east window and it's very sunny in the morning. They are about 2 feet from the window and I keep the blinds open. I'm pretty sure they are getting enough sun. It's the sunniest place in my house.

The leaves are all a nice color and they have been consistently putting out new leaves and roots.

A couple months ago I repotted them into s/h culture in a clear pot. I can see all the roots in the pots are a nice bright green.

[snowflake311]

When did they last drop the blooms? Have they bloomed before?

[jaylla]

Originally Posted by snowflake311

When did they last drop the blooms? Have they bloomed before?

One of them was blooming when I bought it last January. The blooms lasted a long time. I think I probably cut the spike off in June.

The other one has never bloomed. I got it from an orchid nursery in May and they said it was blooming size and should bloom this year.

[snowflake311]

The plant is growing and thats a good start. New growth is good They could bloom once done growing. Mine bloom then buds fall then the plant works on growing roots and Leaves. After a few months of growing a spike comes.

My oldest white one last bloomed for me in May and I am just now getting a spike to develop.

I would move them closer to the window if you can. being closer to the window will help them feel more of a temp drop and more sun. That could help.

Some just need more time. Do you use Ferts at all?

[jaylla]

Originally Posted by snowflake311

The plant is growing and thats a good start. New growth is good They could bloom once done growing. Mine bloom then buds fall then the plant works on growing roots and Leaves. After a few months of growing a spike comes.

My oldest white one last bloomed for me in May and I am just now getting a spike to develop.

I would move them closer to the window if you can. being closer to the window will help them feel more of a temp drop and more sun. That could help.

Some just need more time. Do you use Ferts at all?

Yes. I use a MSU type orchid fertilizer from firstrays.

They are still putting out roots so I guess they won't bloom for a while. I didn't realize they would stop putting out roots when they bloom. I'll just have to keep waiting.

I'm so impatient lol. I keep examining my plants every day.

[snowflake311]

Originally Posted by jaylla

Yes. I use a MSU type orchid fertilizer from firstrays.

They are still putting out roots so I guess they won't bloom for a while. I didn't realize they would stop putting out roots when they bloom. I'll just have to keep waiting.

I'm so impatient lol. I keep examining my plants every day.

They will still put out roots but slower when a spike is starting to grow.

Your plants sound happy they just need more time.

[jaylla]

Okay. Thanks for your help

[No-Pro-mwa]

Patience grasshopper patience. I think that is cool enough. A few of mine are just now starting to spike but not all of them yet. And since you re-potted into S/H it may take them longer to adjust.