Heat mats made a significant improvement

[smokinjoe1952]

I have had a grow chamber running for about 3 years. My success has varied with the plant type. It seems that my intergeneric oncidiums did very well. Cattleya's grew well but had a maybe 40% bloom rate.

The poorest performers were 3 Phal's, 4 Paph's and 2 Phrags. They did not grow much, lost some leaves, never bloomed, and were just in poor shape. My chamber temps are fairly consistent year round, and are in the 67 night - 80 day degree range, with RH always above 60%. I thought the temps were fine, but decided to put the problem chids on a heat mat that was already in the chamber, but only used for transplants for a month or so. After putting the Phals, Phrags and Paphs on the heat mat for 9 months, the change was most remarkable. New leaves on all of the plants, 3 of the 4 Paph's bloomed, 2 of the 3 Phals have bloomed and the Phrags are growing better than they ever have.

I am now wondering if my Cats and Onc. would do even better with a little warmth on the roots. Of course I will try it, but wanted some feedback from the s/h growers on the forum as to if root warmth has made an improvement across all species.

I would imagine that an ambient air temp. of less that 70 in the spring-fall time period is not warm enough for all orchid types in s/h.

Thoughts appreciated.

Joe