I think I know why it seems so many orchids are blooming now

[Laserbeak]

I've discovered several already with spikes/inflorescences in the past week or two. I think I've figured out the reason:

I live in NYC in a building that was built in the 1920s. That means that have a puny electricity supply since they didn't have air conditioning or any other of the gizmos and gadgets we have today. I can get it upgraded now (I couldn't when I first moved in and had the money) but it costs like over $5,000.

So, the upshot is I can't run my grow lights and my air conditioner at the same time, or the circuit breaker will flip. I'm at least lucky to have that, the apartment originally came with fuses you had to unscrew, throw away, and put in a new one when they blew.

Therefore, my orchids get a very hot steamy day when the lights are on during the day and a nice chilly night when the lights are off and I can run the A/C. That matches with what I've read about getting them to flower, having large day/night temperature changes.

[katrina]

Plus...'tis the season for many to bloom.

Egads...I would NOT want to be w/out my a/c. I'd have to move!!

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by katrina

Egads...I would NOT want to be w/out my a/c. I'd have to move!!

I'm with you, Katrina! I love my a/c too!

[Hiester]

Gee... must be nice to have hot and steamy conditions. It seems the climate here has turned into a temperate rainforest this season, more like what I would expect Seattle to be like. So far we haven't had hot or steamy in south central PA.

[Laserbeak]

Originally Posted by katrina

Plus...'tis the season for many to bloom.

Egads...I would NOT want to be w/out my a/c. I'd have to move!!

Yeah, it's not fun, but if it really gets bad I can turn off the lights for a while and run the A/C.

[Laserbeak]

Like right now, sorry plants, i'm dying over here I need some air!

[NYCorchidman]

Very hot days are actually not good for most commonly grown orchids.
Some may be better able to handle it, but it poses great stress on them.

Many of these commonly grown hobby orchids are from high altitude and exposed to lots of breeze all day and night.

Also, many orchids respond to the changes of day and night length, and the light intensity to set buds, although temperature (especially temperature drop in the winter) change is also a major cue for many.

Day and night temperature differential is needed at all time, especially during the active growth period.
It has to do with the plant's physiology of storing its "food" it made during the day.

[quiltergal]

Shoot I think I'd be more worried about my place going up in smoke with wiring that sketchy!