Phalaenopsis gigantea - long term growing project

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

eith my warm growing phals I wouldn't let go under 65F

I may regret the lower temperatures, but I don't want to heat my greenhouse above 60F at night. If I see problems developing I'll bring them indoors, but they will be a bit crowded if that becomes necessary for many. All but one or two of my phals are in flower or spike. One even has 5 spikes, but if it starts dropping buds that will be a sure sign that it needs to be warmer.

-Keith

[Shadeflower]

If it helps you can get these vegetable cold frames that are made out of doublewall polycarbonate sheets.
I know it might seem like a ridiculous idea but a bit of insulation on the bottom with a cold frame will add a few degrees. In summer it would not be needed of course but the cold frame would heat up additionally during the day and keep things a few degrees warmer at night. It really will make a small difference for very little cost.

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

If it helps you can get these vegetable cold frames that are made out of doublewall polycarbonate sheets.
I know it might seem like a ridiculous idea but a bit of insulation on the bottom with a cold frame will add a few degrees. In summer it would not be needed of course but the cold frame would heat up additionally during the day and keep things a few degrees warmer at night. It really will make a small difference for very little cost.

I don't think this would work here in Mississippi where soil temperatures at night normally remain higher than the ambient air both in and outside an enclosure. As a result, the concrete floor and brick house walls of my (lean-to) greenhouse tend to provide warmth at night. The heat loss at night is primarily through the glass and air infiltration. At this point, the heat is off during the day because outside temperatures are high enough along with heat from the sun, but I'm sure this won't last. The coldest winter lows here are almost never below 15F.

-Keith

[desirue]

Originally Posted by Mr.Fakename

That thing on the right certainly looks like one to me! Some people will be jealous if that's the case





When I took the plants back inside for winter time, nights were around 55°F/13°C with occasional dips around 10°C.
I was a bit afraid at first but with decently warm days, they were happily growing and spiking.






My big gig took a rest after maturing its last leaf, but now it's cranking up a new one super fast.

The smaller took no rest whatsoever and keeps sending new leaves before the previous is even done.

At this point I don't know if a 'resting' phase is mandatory for adults, if it depends on genetics (gigantea have small regional variations, it may come from that? Or simply good/bad strains?), or if I don't provide what the big plant wants.

Alas, they are roots but I'm perfectly fine with that.

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by Mr.Fakename

When I took the plants back inside for winter time, nights were around 55°F/13°C with occasional dips around 10°C.
I was a bit afraid at first but with decently warm days, they were happily growing and spiking.

I did exactly the same at the same temperatures the three years prior to this year. Both spikes and flower count were very good, though my favorite phal (Cleopatra) that gave me three spikes last year has five now.


Edit: Bringing them in when it starts to get to 55C is a bit different than growing them at that temperature for 3 months or so. I guess I've find out.



-Keith

[SADE2020]

I don't know what happened but I have a spike from one of the seedlings. I have them since Nov20, one year exactly. I may have mixed another one in the Gigantea box, but the sheets are the same.

These are Hybrid from Phal gigantea x phal Sogo White

Could this be possible?

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by SADE2020

I don't know what happened but I have a spike from one of the seedlings. I have them since Nov20, one year exactly. I may have mixed another one in the Gigantea box, but the sheets are the same.

These are Hybrid from Phal gigantea x phal Sogo White

Could this be possible?

don’t look a gift horse in the mouth



and what gives, no pix??!

and seeing how we have the same seedlings but yours are a year ahead of us, based on what we got i think it is definitely possible for a spike this year. a couple that came out of our flask had over 4 leaves already so yeah, great job! i can’t wait to see what it gives you!!

[JungleJo]

My gigantea used to be bloom size, but some kind of fungal infection and/or massive heat wave made 4 out of 5 full grown leaves turn yellow and drop in no time about a year ago. I believe it took max 2 weeks from start to finish. Only one leaf remained afterwards and I thought I would lose the plant. It is almost impossible to buy a gigantea that size here.

It is still alive today. The one fully grown leaf remains and it is growing its third leaf now. It took almost six months before it did anything after almost dying.

The big leaf measures approximately 35cm, the next is only half of that, while the third seems grow to a similar size. At least it is growing roots again as well

Maybe a new spike in 2 years? It will take time. Happy it is still alive

[Antogags99]

This is very useful information. I have just received a 'tiny' Gigantea. Lots of years ahead for me.

[tmoney]

hello gigantea people,

just for timelines sake, finally at the beginning of may our gigantea has started growing a new leaf. 2 new root tip started about a month ago and are now approaching 5 cm, and you could see the crack opening where the new leaf would emerge from, but just this morning you can now see the leaf tip! true to form, this is nearly a full 2 months after all the other phals started their grow season.
it also looks as if its going to shed the lowet leaf soonish.

hope all yours are doing well!!