how does this sound for my orchids?

[phalnoob]

Hey all.
Iv been on here learning alot about how to care for my orchids and getting to know everyone. Such a great forum and im flad i found it you are all so helpfull.....and understanding of newbie questions that i have ☺

So i thought i would kinda update on how they are doing and see if anyone has suggestions to better my situation.

So i have 4 phals in the living room window inc 1 mini phal, the window is north facing so i dodnt know if light would be an issue as we dont get alot of sun here anyway but they are thriving and flowering nicely,my original has been in full bloom for months now! They all have lots of leaves too around 5 each and all bug and healthy looking. I have 1 in my bedroom also north facing again doing great and has 1 bud left to open.

I also bought a few 'rescue' sad looking phals and repotted them and gave a good feed, 1 had very wrinkled leaves and was really sad looking but to my amazement the leaves are firming up and are nice and wrinkle free!!! And i can also see some new roots starting at the base, the other needed alot if roots chopped and the spike was completely dead so i cut it to the base but it seems to be happy . Those are in a small south facing window as i thought they would benefit from more brightness being a bit sad looking and neglected before?

Sorry to rant a bit but yeah if anyone has any tips or advice id greatly appreciate it

[mtorchid]

A North window won't be enough light for phals. I assume they're blooming because you purchased them that way. The trick will be to get them to re-bloom. You'll need to have supplemental lights for a northern exposure.

All of your phals will appreciate more light, not just your "rescue" ones. A South facing window is good as long as they don't cook in direct sunlight for hours. Light green leaves are an indication the plant is getting the optimum amount of light.

Good luck!

[phalnoob]

Thanks for the reply.
Supplemental lights maybe a good idea. Annoying that the rooms im usually in are north facing but i suppose a couple fluorescent t8s or so could work

[jcec1]

I have no problem with phalaenopsis including species on a North facing window, in cloudy Scotland. They grow and bloom well. Why not keep some there for say six months to a year (I would personally favour a year as it is a full growing season).
See how they fare, before jumping in with additional lighting.

[phalnoob]

Im in cloudy scotland too lol.
Do you keep other orchids?

[mtorchid]

Yes, T8s should work just fine. I always include a few warmer 3000K (bloom stage) bulbs in the mix along with the majority of 6400K (growth stage) bulbs.

---------- Post added at 06:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 AM ----------

Originally Posted by jcec1

Why not keep some there for say six months to a year (I would personally favour a year as it is a full growing season).
See how they fare, before jumping in with additional lighting.

You could do that or you could be preemptive and notice the color of the leaves. Darker green = not enough light. Even if there might be enough light to bloom, why not give them what they require in order to truly thrive?

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by phalnoob

Im in cloudy scotland too lol.
Do you keep other orchids?

I personally believe that although we don't have dawn til dusk sunshine, we do have long summer days, so that may be a positive factor in keeping plants growing.
I have vandas that grow well facing west, oncidiums, zygopetalums, but mostly phalaenopsis. If you're keen to learn more, join the Scottish Orchid Society. I am a member of the Glasgow branch, but there are also meetings in Edinburgh and Perth.

[phalnoob]

Thanks for the replies.
Oohh i could be very interested there will have a look if they have a site.

Lots to think about then. Would be easy enough to add sone tubes in a unit if it comes to it. The leaves are a medium green definately not dark i would say

[wintergirl]

I have all my phals in a North facing window with a shear curtain and they rebloom and grow just fine. Try it for awhile and see before you add lights.