Phalaenopsis Spike Initiation

[Bird Song Farm]

[SIZE="3"]Hi!
Hoping someone can help me with this problem...

What is the length of cool temps. Phals need to initiate spikes?
My extensive searches on Phal. culture all mention that a "cool period of nights in the 50's" is needed for spikes to initiate. However, I can find no one culture page that gives a length of time for his cooler period. Is it a day (night) or two, a week, a month? Also, here in Maine our nights are now in the 50's (F) and days can be anything from the cool, damp, 60's to the low humidity 70's and low 80's. If I place my Phals outside, are the days to warm? Next month (Sept.) the nights will be in the 40's (F) and days in the 60's and low 70's.

Thank you in advance for any and all advice. It is much appreciated by this "newbie" !!

/SIZE]

[Phantasm]

Phalaenopsis are among the easiest plants to grow and bloom. Depending on the species background they can bloom in various seasons. The large pinks and whites generally bloom in winter-spring, and the sequential blooming types from amboinensis, bellina, venosa, etc will bloom spring to summer.
A large plant with multiple spikes will stay in bloom almost year around if you let it.
I have never forced the bloom, just grow in warm conditions (house is perfect), and when the days get shorter and it gets a bit cooler they will push out a spike. A bit of patience is always helpful with orchids!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Bird Song Farm

[SIZE="3"]Hi!
Hoping someone can help me with this problem...

What is the length of cool temps. Phals need to initiate spikes?
My extensive searches on Phal. culture all mention that a "cool period of nights in the 50's" is needed for spikes to initiate. However, I can find no one culture page that gives a length of time for his cooler period. Is it a day (night) or two, a week, a month? Also, here in Maine our nights are now in the 50's (F) and days can be anything from the cool, damp, 60's to the low humidity 70's and low 80's. If I place my Phals outside, are the days to warm? Next month (Sept.) the nights will be in the 40's (F) and days in the 60's and low 70's.

Thank you in advance for any and all advice. It is much appreciated by this "newbie" !!

/SIZE]

I think I agree! My experience is that the temperature shift seems to be relative, not absolute. Therefor, a sudden cooling at night seems to do the trick. There are others here that have studied this more and probably have the definitive answer.

[Gin]

I just let the natural cool down in the fall winter kick them off , I don't do anything special . Gin

[Bird Song Farm]

Ah, I think I get it. It's a natural thing, with the shorter days and the cooler nights, whether the plant is inside or out it will "know" the time to flower.....probably a very simple way of my understanding the situation but I've never been accused of being brilliant!!! LOL
Thanks everyone.

[Blondie]

I've been wondering about this, too, and I don't want to be mean and force it, but I would love to get this to spike. It's my brand new buttery yellow phal. I was thinking about taking it in my bedroom at night because I keep the AC on in there but the temp in the living room is around 82 at night. Would this work if I put it in the bedroom for a few weeks at night?

[CodiMN]

I think the AC might be ok. But whatever happens, avoid putting it outside...orchids are too much tempation for lots of "critters" out there!

[Blondie]

Yes, I lost a whole crop of marigolds to SOMETHING this year. What was it?? Who knows.

Plus, it's really hot outside in Chicago this week, so it'll be me, the AC, and two kitties resting cooly in the sleeping quarters. I'll let you know what happens. Let's just hope there aren't any extra critters waiting under the bed.

[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

[Blondie]

Ah yes, I will learn the fine art of patience!