When should I lower the temperature to force phals?

[gingersmommy]

Hello,

When should one lower the nighttime temperature to stimulate phals to spike?

[Leafmite]

Mine will be getting the cooler temperatures naturally, as summer turns to autumn. That always worked in the past.

You can actually do it at any time if you have a way to control your temperatures. One summer, we had a spell of cooler temperatures and...boom, flowering preparations were initiated.

[gingersmommy]

Thank you. I have a small room heater that lets me keep the temp at 77/78, so I can lower the temp artifically. I figured since it was fall anyway, this would be the natural time to lower the temp. Just wondering if Sept. is better or Oct.

[camille1585]

The drop they need is actually both the daytime and nighttime temperature, and not just nighttime, contrary to popular belief.

[Leafmite]

Yay! Someone who is actually a Phal expert!

[gingersmommy]

Originally Posted by camille1585

The drop they need is actually both the daytime and nighttime temperature, and not just nighttime, contrary to popular belief.

Hi Camille,

Should I lower the temp in Sept or Oct, or is it pretty much the same? Thank you.

[Fishkeeper]

It doesn't matter when. You could lower the temp in July if you wanted. The orchids don't know what time of year it actually is.

[Ray]

What the plant requires is about two weeks of an average drop in growing temperature of about 10-15F, compare to where it had been grown. After that period, return it so warmer conditions for the best growth.

About 6-8 weeks after that treatment, you should see a spike emerging, with blooms to flow approximately that same amount of time later.

As has been said, it does not matter when this is done; that practice is precisely why you can buy in-bloom plants at any time of the year.

[gingersmommy]

Thanks, everyone. I just thought maybe they could tell it was fall by the waning daylight, too.

[Leafmite]

Some Phals (i.e. bellina) have their blooming period determined by light. Most of the Phals sold in the grocery or big box stores are more influenced by temperatures. The grower who sells the Phals to the stores will lower the temperatures in the greenhouse to initiate the cycle. These Phals often are mostly Phal. amabilis and sometimes Phal schilleriana mixed with other species of Phals to get different colors and forms.