Its Phal Season...mine are coming down with the spikes

[terracotta7]

I am really looking forward to seeing the blooms that all these spikes are going to have!!!

ChannerT...keep us up-to-date on your $5 find!!! Sounds like a happy plant!

Any suggestions on where to get a Mini Mark? This has been on my wish list and I just had a birthday so I have $ burning a hole in my orchid-lovin' pocket.

[Orchidgirl83]

My phals are coming down with the spikes too!! I have 4, possibly 5 of my 9 phals growing spikes. I am so excited :happydance:

[My Green Pets]

RJ thanks for the chance to show 'em off

Here are mine, first noticed the bumps about a month ago.

[LovePhals]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

:

and why aren't some spiking? my guess at this is your temps didn't drop low enough or long eough. commercial growers keep phals in the grocery store shelves and home depot all year long bec when they are mature they drop the temps in the greenhouse between 55 and 65 for 3 to 4 weeks. that initiates the spiking routine and keeps us in flowers. If its cool enough outside set them in a bright comfy location, with no direct sun. leave them alone in the cool for 2 -3-4 weeks and you will spike. you can bring them back in then if you like.
Im excited for everyone to have beautiful flushes of flowers.

That is good advice. Mine have been in 64-68 deg temps for several weeks, should the temp be lower? I was worried about dropping the temp too low for them as they are next to a window that may get cooler at night. I haven't seen any spikes at all on my table of 9 phals!!

[quiltergal]

I think it is more about the temperature differential between day and night and not the actual temps. They say a 10 degree difference between night and daytime temps is optimal for setting spikes.

Edited to add: See CambriaWhat's new thread. It appears that day/night temp differences do not initiate spikes but rather the max daytime temp. So disregard the above advice.

[NYCorchidman]

What well behaving phals you have there!

I have three large phals and one micro mini spiking.
One initiated but stopped. then the rest are not spiking yet. hmmmm.

Would a little spanking help wake them up? lol

[RJSquirrel]

hmmmm spankin i never tried....but I can add 1 more to my own list of spikes..I was feeling odd bec my favorite big phal wasnt spiking. it has given me a few pups off one of the last spikes it had early this year. well well well the phal surf song is spikin again....we see how the hothouse method cool down cycle works on flowers for them again....

the last spike of flowers on the surf song...


if they display better it would be good, but going to be hard to beat the flower count

mine grew all summer long in excess of 90+ degrees....some days topped 104..phals are tropical plants indeed

[No-Pro-mwa]

Holy crapper are those really that sunset color? That is just beautiful.

[RandomGemini]

Yes, they are. I have seen this orchid several times at my local Safeway and I passed on it, now I'm wishing I hadn't. I actually stopped and spoke to the florist the last time I was in and mentioned that I wanted one. She's supposed to call me when another one comes in, that way I can get it as soon as she unpacks it.

[desertanimal]

That phal surf song is LOVELY! Keep me in mind if you ever want to rehome any of its offspring!