Hime seikai growth rate and care

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by Hakumin

No. A standard fridge would be dangerously cold, but I've seen examples of people rigging up wine fridges with lights that could potentially work.

I just checked the “warmest” part of my refrigerator, the butter compartment on the inside of the door, with my maximum minimum thermometer and it registered 40 degrees minimum.

Realizing that this is lower than recommended, but I am almost tempted to try it out next winter as I am getting tired of the plant not blooming. I understand it might not survive but I have come to the point of not wanting it otherwise. Also it would be valuable to see what happens in the name of orchid culture.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

I just checked the “warmest” part of my refrigerator, the butter compartment on the inside of the door, with my maximum minimum thermometer and it registered 40 degrees minimum.

Realizing that this is lower than recommended, but I am almost tempted to try it out next winter as I am getting tired of the plant not blooming. I understand it might not survive but I have come to the point of not wanting it otherwise. Also it would be valuable to see what happens in the name of orchid culture.

While the nighttime temperatures definitely need to be low during winter rest, i'm not 100% sure on the effects of the daytime temperature. It might need to be fairly low as well. However, sticking it in the fridge for months without any light would probably be bad too.

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by Hakumin

While the nighttime temperatures definitely need to be low during winter rest, i'm not 100% sure on the effects of the daytime temperature. It might need to be fairly low as well. However, sticking it in the fridge for months without any light would probably be bad too.

It’s a chore but I would be moving it back and forth every day between my fridge and growing bench only 15 feet away. The daytime temp may end up being too high at 74 degrees but we will find out.

[huiray]

You're on the Jersey shore. This means you get COLD periods in winter. Perhaps you do not have any place in your house which could get cold during winter? Say, a spare room with sunny windows where you can shut off the heating vents?

If this is so, then - yes, you will have issues with blooming stuff like himeseikai and seikai.

In winter I keep my himeseikai and seikai in a breezeway between my garage and kitchen. I actually need a portable heater in there (I use an oil-based wheeled radiator unit to keep the temp above freezing at the least during winter) The temps in the breezeway regularly reach around 40+ Fahrenheit in winter, but also often in the 50's range. This is for several months. I also let them dry out - and, in fact, shrivel somewhat --- then rejuvenate them by watering them copiously and standing them in saucers of water.

So far this year I count about six spikes on my hime-seikai and 4-5 spikes on my seikai.

ETA: I also keep the colder-growing stuff in this breezeway --- Holcoglossums, dendrobium nobile derivatives (e.g. Dend. Ise), cold-growing Epis, cold-growing vandaceous types, that sort of thing.

[Shoreguy]

I garbaged mine a year or so ago, why continue to suffer from a mistake made in purchasing it?