the phals come out to say hello to OB
 

its been almost 5 weeks since they got the 1st cold blast. too cold IMO but cold indeed they got.. I have 13 phals mostly hybrids but one amabilis double crossed with itself.

its an o.............http://rkidkelly.smugmug.com/Flowers...5_142921-L.jpg.....dd view but had to get them all in the pic!!!

the one in the black decotainer is the surf song that gave me over 50 flowers last time. Only 1 spike so its taking a break. I was really worried about it after it bloomed as it was very sad looking, leaves all flat and worn out. A good summer of heat and moisture brought it right back out again.

Oh and out of 13 phals... 9 have spikes.. woot!! we did this last year and I lost most of the buds to the bud burglar. I do something else this year to keep them. maybe. I dunno yet what to do....
http://rkidkelly.smugmug.com/Flowers...5_143108-L.jpg

one thing you see common with all these phals is how high and full of water they hold the leaves up. Very Happy!!

http://rkidkelly.smugmug.com/Flowers...5_143119-L.jpg

they just got watered today too and I could almost feel the plant pumping water into the leaves :hello


http://rkidkelly.smugmug.com/Flowers...5_143816-L.jpg

this is where they sit under the bench. eastern exposure 70% shaded most of the year. Winter sun they can take full morning. They are protected from the cruel western sun in the afternoon.

Beautiful plants, all, RJS.

Your plants look great, so nice and healthy.

Can't wait to see the blooms. Got to love phals. They are so easy to keep and find room for.

Im excited as always when I get buds..:) I can see them very small too!!!
In case you wonder what the white residue on the leaves is its my Fire Ant Killer concoction I use for pests. Its safe and will wash off.
1 tbsp of Amdro mixed with 1 gallon of water and 1 tbsp of palmolive dish soap. All the pest control Ive needed other than a dab of Sluggo a few times for them shell bugs, snails. Its going to be awhile but I got spikes!!! Its the cold I tell ya so if you got a mature phal you need to bloom. Get it cold at least down to 55 for a few weeks. 4 weeks is better. My plants get down to 40 before I turn the heat on. I wouldnt suggest that for most bec how you water them when its 40 is going to decide whether they live or not. They didnt get any water for at least a week during the cold spell. Warmed up some and they are drinking it up ;)

Absolutely gorgeous Phals and so many spikes! You're doing something right. :biggrin:

I've noticed that I don't need the temperatures to drop that low to initiate spikes on my Phals. Around 62ºF seems enough, but I guess that depends on which temperatures they are used to.

You have to make another group photo when they're all flowering later. That will be quite a sight.