winter light, temps needs

[early]

I have 25 plus orchids, one phal with a branch off orginal blooms that is reblooming. 4 phal in bloom and lovely, 6 phals, two of them minis all with buds, a few oncs, one yearling zygopedalum that is healthy and forming a pseudobulb on the main stem, and 3 vandas.

My question has to do with winter temps for the different genus/gemnera . (except for the vandas,) will all of them want the same night temps around 65 F? Is there any that I should seperate and keep on warming pads?

I have asked this question before re black spots on the Zygo...she seems very healthy, and I am wondering what causes the black spots. I think I remember someone saying that most zygos get them.

The three Vandas--- I let them get some sun in the morning, what are their night time temp requirements. I don't have a place to mount them, so I am giving them root drinks twice a day, otherwise, they are in the air.

This is the beginning of my second sucessful yr of growing. I have had cyms and phals before and kept them alive for over a year which was probably a miracle
Sorry I am so slow retaining all this great info all you have given me in the past. guess I need a refresher.

[rbarata]

Sorry I am so slow retaining all this great info all you have given me in the past. guess I need a refresher.

That's because you started with different genus. I've done the same thing.

65F, approx. 18ºC it ok the all of them. I'm not experienced in Vandas but in the tropics you can get temps lower than that, so I think it won't be a problem as long as day temps are higher (25ºC=77F, for ex.).

[Keysguy]

early- all of my vanda's and other assorted "hangers" are outside here all winter in the shadehouse. You can't do that in NM.

That being said, we do get a handful of nights over the winter where it gets down into the mid 50's and we had one night last year it went all the way to 48!!!!!!!! They were all just fine because the next morning the sun comes out and it will be up to 70 by 10:00.

As rbarata said though, if you grow inside, I would try and hold the bottom at 65. Continuous exposure to much below that will likely at least stunt their growth. Do the best you can to keep that humidity as high as you can. With vandas's that's almost more important than the temp.

Glad to hear your Zygo is hanging in there. Those all get spots on their leaves so try not to look at that.

[early]

Originally Posted by Keysguy

As rbarata said though, if you grow inside, I would try and hold the bottom at 65. Continuous exposure to much below that will likely at least stunt their growth. Do the best you can to keep that humidity as high as you can. With vandas's that's almost more important than the temp.

Glad to hear your Zygo is hanging in there. Those all get spots on their leaves so try not to look at that.

Thanks rbarata and keys, Last year I had them away from the east window, and closer to the inside of my huge room. I am debating whether of not to move them back. They will stay warmer in the day with overhead south light, and I can turn the heat so it will be around 65F at night.
Another question, if I add some light should it be LED or regular bulbs. I remember someone mentioning that but can not find it now.

[Ray]

Since nobody addressed the ”light” part of your query, I’ll throw out that the plants, being mostly equatorial, are used to receiving similar light levels summer and winter. The phals need the least, the zygote a bit more, and the vandas will want a lot of light. A few hours of morning sunlight is probably insufficient.

[WaterWitchin]

And I would add... use LEDs. Much cheaper to run, work well, and better for the environment.

[estación seca]

My plants are in a sunroom facing southeast. They do fine with natural light only, through sliding glass windows. Member early. is probably farther south than I am so I would guess the light is slightly brighter than mine.

[early]

Originally Posted by estación seca

My plants are in a sunroom facing southeast. They do fine with natural light only, through sliding glass windows. Member early. is probably farther south than I am so I would guess the light is slightly brighter than mine.

Actually estacion, I am more north than you, 30 miles south of ABQ. At present, I have all my plants except the Vandas in a bright east window. They seem to be happy there but now that it is colder, I am having trouble keeping the area warmer at night. Need new thermostat for my heater. I am thinking of moving a radiator oil type heater near them and only use at night.

---------- Post added at 11:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:44 AM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitcshin

And I would add... use LEDs. Much cheaper to run, work well, and better for the environment.

Thanks WW/ I have lots of LEDs and will add some light from standing lamps in the less bright late afternoon.

---------- Post added at 11:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:47 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

Since nobody addressed the ”light” part of your query, I’ll throw out that the plants, being mostly equatorial, are used to receiving similar light levels summer and winter. The phals need the least, the zygote a bit more, and the vandas will want a lot of light. A few hours of morning sunlight is probably insufficient.

Thanks Ray. This is good information. All responses to my questions have been wonderful. And definately going into an accessible file for ease to find again.

[estación seca]

A cycad grower I know drapes heavy landscape plastic over his growing benches so it hangs to the ground, and directs his heater's output under the benches. This appoach may work for you.

[early]

Originally Posted by rbarata

That's because you started with different genus. I've done the same thing.

65F, approx. 18ºC it ok the all of them. I'm not experienced in Vandas but in the tropics you can get temps lower than that, so I think it won't be a problem as long as day temps are higher (25ºC=77F, for ex.).

it is hard for someone that is a relatively new grower to remember all the details. I of course last year started with phals because in my county that is all that is available. I still love them for the bright and shiny big leaves as much as the blooms.

To the north in Albuquerque, there would be more generas available. In March this year I was heading to my first orchid society monthly gathering with a lecture on mini varieties of different genus.

THAT plan ended when Covid hit the same weekend. When our restrictions lighten up and they start meeting again, I Fear I will all more than four or five genus. Sigh.\

But I am hooked, Like our Siberian Friend and estacion, I too am a retired former medical person, (52 yrs as a very active RN since age 20) Orchid care is filling that need to Serve, and give TLC to another species.