isolated newbie help

[1kathleen]

Hello - I'm a new member - live on an island off North Carolina - have around 225 orchids - have been addicted for around 3 years and always aquiring more - have to order most because live so far from any growers so have used e-bay with mixed results - hate to throw anything o ut-problem-have around 30 phals spiking - last year I lost several buds and could never figure out why - use electric heat - 8x12 attached greenhouse-keep around 64 at night-humidity 60-80%.Why does this happen so I can try tokeep it from happening this year.also need explanation on the cattleya sheaths - some dry and some green - some go on to bloom some never do anything..can't find any information??? again thank you - so glad I found this site..

[cb977]

Hi Kathleen,
Welcome to OrchidBoard.
I'm sure a number of our experienced members will be able to help you with your problem. I'm interested in seeing what the answers are too!

An island off N.C. sounds lovely!!! Must be scary when the dreaded storms are headed for the coast, though

[Ross]

Welcome. When I was growing phals and when the buds dried, it was always humidity. I never had problems when they were outside in summer - only inside in winter. Temps don't seem to be the problem for me. Right now I am down to one plant (long story) but spike is doing very well with higher humidity (50+) and temps down to 60 at night and 70 during day. It gets higher than recommended light (I'd guess about 2000 foot-candles) sometimes direct sunlight. If any of this helps, you're welcome

[Tindomul]

Welcome to the Orchid Board. 30 Phals spiking, Ohhh Phal guru, teach me!

[justatypn]

Aboard Kathleen, I bow to the phal queen, I can not image 30 in bloom at one time, much less 1 chid with 30 blooms.. We are glad your here and a wealth of information awaits you. Stop by and share in the OB's personal gallery.

[1kathleen]

Thanks so much for help - ended up with 31 phals because Carmela orchids(hwii) had a wholesale price if you bought 30 - couldn't bear to give any away - they have survived a hurricane - light up to 4000fc.will send pic when they are all blooming - what about the cattleya sheath thing?? why are some brown and some green and some bloom - others turn yellow and no flower buds??

[Ross]

Originally Posted by 1kathleen

Thanks so much for help - ended up with 31 phals because Carmela orchids(hwii) had a wholesale price if you bought 30 - couldn't bear to give any away - they have survived a hurricane - light up to 4000fc.will send pic when they are all blooming - what about the cattleya sheath thing?? why are some brown and some green and some bloom - others turn yellow and no flower buds??

Light up to 4000fc? That's the answer (problem) - way too bright (in my opinion). I have always kept mine in bright (but not direct) light about 1500-2000fc. Try shading yours with cheese cloth or layers of shear curtains until the light is bright to your eyes but your hand casts no shadow on the leaves. If I am wrong, the leaves will turn darker green and you won't get spikes to set. But my bet is the light. This only applies to Phals, not Cats or Brassias or Oncidium group plants. They like higher light (4000fc is ok for them till the spike gets to just about blooming stage then you want to move them away from high light to about same as Phals.) That could be the answer to yellowing sheaths (I don't grow cats but can understand why the high light may cause this - think about seasons where they grow in wild - wet season/dry seaon. Few leaves on trees and full sun (dry season) changing to leaf formation in the canopy corresponding to the rainy season).

[cupcake]

Oh WOW you do have the bug bad! Wish I could afford to splash out like you, but I am SO in awe of your dedication, I thought I was doing well with 7 phals! Where do you keep them all? Could you post some photos? Regards Judi