Question about Phal growth habits

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by 3rdMaestro

So I'm beginning think my phals need more light. They are putting out new leaves regularly but no spikes. Currently they are in a west window with a rose bush outside the window

More important than intensity of light is the duration - number of hours per day that they get good filtered light. In most houses, especially in the shorter-day parts of the year, the natural light is just not good enough for enough hours. If you supplement it with a fluorescent lamp (cheap lamp and generic "daylight" bulb is fine, grow light not necessary) for 12 hours per day, that is likely to do the job. That was my experience.

[3rdMaestro]

I have some a lamp with three 13 - watt cfl. Is that good enough?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by 3rdMaestro

I have some a lamp with three 13 - watt cfl. Is that good enough?

Probably... sure worth a try. If you put them on a timer (12 hours per day) it's a lot easier than remembering to turn them on and off. Give it 6 months, see what happens. Can't hurt, may do the job.

[3rdMaestro]

Speaking of unpredictable orchids, in that same window I got a rodrumnia to spike. I've since moved it to a brighter window. I just find it ironic because the tolumnia family is "supposed" to need more light than phals. But what do we humans know? I'll post pictures as soon as the buds open, it should be any day now

[jkofferdahl]

[Dollythehun]

John!!!!!!😆

[jkofferdahl]

[Dollythehun]

Lots of snarky comments come to mind, along with stories that would get me thrown off the Board. We'll stick to orchids, friend.

[Christine1227]

delete... Made a new post

[Tommyr]

My 2 phals usually spike in late fall/winter. I have a mini spiking now and a 'Golden Embers' that hasn't started yet. Cooler night, longer nights seem to initiate spiking.