Winter warmth for Phals.

[Dcchase]

Hi I've had a variety of orchids for about 5 years. But I only have been successful in getting them to flower in the past year. I have a question about temperature for my Phals. I have 10 Phals., 5 hybrid, 4 species and a mini hybrid. They have all done very well in front of a southwest window through the summer and fall. Now with the colder winter temperatures, unless it is sunny, this window spot can be quite chilly. I do have all my orchid trays on heat mats during the winter.
My question is whether my Phals. would do better where they are, in the southwest window with some chilly days or in a different spot under 3, 2'-T5 lights and on a heat mat. Under the lights they would be consistently warmer but have less light and little natural light.
Five of these Phals are in spike now and the spike growth does seem to have slowed with the colder weather.
I live in CT and have all my Phals. in NZ Sphagnum moss.
Thanks for any suggestions. Dcchase

[sweetjblue]

Donna,
Growing Phals in sphagnum moss in the cooler months its always best to keep the root zone warm. So if your growing on a windowsill but have heat mats under your pots you should be ok. Just don't let the leaves touch the window panes which I'm sure you already know. The mats will keep the air in the immediate vicinity a few degrees higher than without it.

You shouldn't worry about growing under lights in the winter either. If anything I find its better as you can adjust the amount and duration of light that they'll receive. Always sunny and never have to worry if you get a prolonged spell of gloomy days.

I have most of my seedlings growing on mats and under lights myself. The temp there right now is 78 and goes down to around 68 at night give or take a degree. I find growing under lights my seedlings are almost always in constant growth which is a good thing!

Oh, and with cooler temps the growth of spikes will slow down. If you have anyway of giving those plants slightly higher temps they should speed up alittle. If you opt to put them under the T5's just keep an eye on them. The warmth could potentially cook them.



Judi

[Dcchase]

Thank you Judi. That was my inclination but I just wasn't sure. I had already moved my two Phal species seedlings and compot under the lights. My babies seem happier in the consistently warmer temperatures. I'm glad the rest will be fine where they are.
Judi where in CT do you live? I've just joined IPA and attended my first meeting in NH last September.

[sweetjblue]

YW Donna!

What phal species are you growing? Reason I ask is often times if their species like bellina and violacea they prefer warm temps and high humidity and to be keep slighty moist. I find growing them in clear storage bins (Sterlite brand) helps give them just what they need and you don't have to water as often, maybe every 2 weeks or so. Same would aply for seedlings. Just don't put them in wet, damp will do.
I'm along the shoreline in southern CT.

I missed going to the September IPA meeting, had too many things going on to make it. I hear it was really good and sorry I didn't get to hear Mike M. speak.
Drop me a PM if I can be of any further help.


Judi