Phalaenopsis Spike Initiation

[Lagoon]

I've never used any kind of cool down for my phals and they bloom twice a year. If your having trouble blooming, try stronger direct lighting instead.

[Candice]

I was told by a very experienced orchid grower that in order to get your phals into spike, you should bring the 'chids into A/C everynight for the next 4 to 5 weeks, then back to their original home during the day. This will create the cooler temps they night to create a spike. So, what I am doing currenly is 8am put 'chids outside (this is their envirnment, if yours is inside by a window put them there, not change your growing habits) for the day until 8pm when I bring them inside into A/C till next morning around 8am. Then repeat this process for a few weeks. So this creates a 20-30 degree difference everynight for them to spike.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

It looks like it's in an active growth cycle now with that new leaf and new roots starting. I'd just keep it well fed and let it finish growing through the summer. It will cool down soon enough in the fall to initiate the flowering cycle. JMO

I'm agreeing. My experience with Phals is when they decide to spike, the growth slows down (might not quit, but defenitely slows) So if you want nice matured leaves (who doesn't) and nice strong spikes, let it do it's thing, then this fall when the temps get down below 60 either put it outside during day (nights shouldn't get too cold) and keep it cool till you see evidence of a spike or two.

[Lin]

I leave my phals outside until I hear night temps in the upper 40's. Usually that's an isolated occurrence and they go back out for a bit longer.

Hey, it works for me.

[cupcake]

My phals have all re bloomed in a year EXCept for Phal Gold Vein! It is coming up to 3 years since the last time it bloomed and I am begining to lose patience! I am thinking of lending it to my sister to see iof she can get it to spike! Judi ( I have checked the roots asnd they're ok)