The Phal abuse ends here. - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #11 08-22-2011, 09:07 AM

I think the thing about misting is that is does help, but only if your phal is growing the way it would in nature. They do not grow like how we pot them, they grow with their leaves angled down or upside down to prevent water from collecting in the leaf creases and crown. If you have yours planted as such, then misting is a great idea (although misting in an open room does not do much, in enclosed terrariums it does). However, if you have yours planted upright, then it's generally not a good idea to mist the leaves. Mistking was developed for greenhouses and terrarium growing where people would ideally be able to grow plants as they are found in nature.

Not all orchids are as susceptable to crown rot as phal's, so their would generally be alright with a misting system.

If you have your phal near a double pained window, then generally the temperature difference it will feel naturally from the window between day and night should be sufficient. Just keep in mind that if you close curtains around it then it could get too cool as the cold air can get trapped and drastically reduce the temperature around your plants (too much so possibly).

Humidity trays are great, but only if there are tons of them and air movement across the surface of it. That being said, with a larger collection in one windowsill, all the humidity trays is an excellent idea given air movement is there to pull the water into the air.

If you are not going to move your plants to a window, then you might try finding a chilling pad (can't think of what they are really called at the moment) to sit your orchids on.

Healthy roots are important, and as long as you see those you will be fine. Depending upon the oncidium, you may not see flowering until late winter to sometime in the summer. Phal's typically don't start flowering until late winter/early spring.