NOID phals making crowns instead of spikes and a greenhouse heating question
 

First of all, I'm on the southern hemisphere so I'm going into autumn now.

I put up my small greenhouse in November 2012 and moved all my orchids there. Generally, they all loved it. I've still got some small issues with controlling watering and humidity (too much lime in the water and will need a filter), but the plants seem happy.

As most newbie orchid collectors, I got a bunch of NOID phals that have jumped into my shopping trolley on various occasions over the years.

Normally they would start to produce new spikes in a month or two when the temperature drops. But they've never been in a greenhouse before, and so...a couple of months ago, they started making spikes. i thought. As the 'spikes' were growing, several of them turned out to be basal keikis or secondary crowns. The plants are happy. There is no crown rot or root problems. Both crowns are making new leaves and the plants spread out and are becoming pretty big. I've had to repot a couple into larger pots. This has never happened before. My phals have only had one crown, and that's it. Anybody that knows what can be the cause of this? I've been considering temperatures, and I've got to admit it has been hot in the greenhouse now and then, but rarely (or not at all) over 40 C, and then only for short periods of time. I'm puzzled...and I'm also curious as to whether this is it this year...am I getting crowns instead of spikes or will they also flower?

Second question, also related to the greenhouse. I don't have a heating system in the greenhouse at the moment (it's a small greenhouse 3x2,5m), but I will have to make a plan for the winter. I'm considering a small electric fan or something like that. I'm not planning to invest in something very fancy and expensive, but I'd like to hear what you guys are doing.

We normally have some frost nights during the winter. Typically only in the early morning hours. My plan is to keep the greenhouse at a minimum of 3-5 degrees Celsius and make sure it's frost free. As I understand it, many orchids go dormant when it's getting cold and they should stay on the dry side in the winter, but are there types that will die if the temperature drops below five degrees Celsius (but not down to minus)?

I've got a combination of NOID phals, catts, dendrobiums (phal, callista and some others), vandas, aerangis and maxillarias.

If need be I'll just have to take the plants inside for the night, but I'd like to hear your experiences on this.

And my Angraecum Magdalenae is spiking! Yey! :banana:

Hi Siljie,
I'm not a Phal expert, but it seems to me that 3-5 C is a bit chilly for Phals. That is just above freezing. I try to protect my orchids when it goes below about 7-8C (45F). I don't expose my Phals to anything below 12-13 C (55F). Hope that helps even a little.

That does help! I'll just take them inside. I've anyway been thinking that I wont manage to keep it warm enough for the phals. And I guess that will then also apply for my vandas and aerangis...

Note to self: Must consider moving Hubby out and take plants in to find room to all.

Only a few orchids go dormant in winter like catasetums, pleiones, and some dendrobiums. I'm not super familiar with the dendrobiums you mention but the other orchids you mention do not like to get so cold and most grow year round.

Your Phals are making basal growths and it is not a problem. It should not stop your Phal from spiking and if the basal growths are old enough they could also spike.

There is nothing prettier than having multiple spikes from the mother plants and the basal growths.

Brooke

Great to hear that there is no reason for concern. I didn't honestly think so, the plants look happy. But do you know what makes phals do this? Mine has never made multiple basal growths until now. I'm thinking it must have something to do with conditions...? Could it be temperature related?

Orchid Boy, I think the nobile dendrobiums, the lindleyis and jenkinsiis are all dormant in the winter and need a cool, dry rest....but that might not mean that they will be happy with temperature drops down to 5 degrees Celsius. To be honest, I've got no idea how warm I will manage to keep the greenhouse during the coldest spells. I'll guess I just have to do some test nights with an empty greenhouse and check what the thermometer says.