You got me there orchid. I have a friend who has a really good picture book on orchids. That would be the only thing I know to do is to try to match up the picture.
I've got a question. When do Phals usually put on their bloom stalk, does that usually start this time of year to bloom late in the winter/early spring? Also what about other species. When do I start looking for signs of blooming? It might be a couple of years on my cats are they are pretty small, not sure the rescue phal will be up to a bloom this year but think my other one is putting out a bloom stalk but it's still pretty small yet.
ALSO, I'm still watering with a 7-7-7 mixture. Do I want to go to a bloom mixture when I see I'm moving in that direction?
posted by suzieb
over 2 years ago
Remember Phals need about 2-3 weeks of cold evening temps to set the spike. Once the spike is set, it will grow slowly for about 3 months. Not before that, will you get any flowers. You can switch to a bloom booster now, follow directions. Remember the spike is also very fragile, so you need to be careful not to break it off,, but do try to stake it, so it will grow upright. Most other orchids will be setting spikes like Oncydiums, Dendrobiums after a drying off period. Usually about 30-40 days, and then start to water again. Catts will put sheaths about this time of year that will bloom sometimes in Dec, Jan, Feb. depending on the genius...
Hope this helps abit.
How cool can phals take? It's dropping now into the 40's some nights so I have been bringing in. Cats I have read need some nights in the 50's, but phals? Can they take mid 40's?
Think I read that phals are better at the cooler weather than the cats. Think I heard 60 at night on the cats....50 on the phals. I may be wrong. I brought things in more because of our crazy wet weather than the temps.....although we've had probably 5 frosts...70 today, who'd a thunk it. They are all looking good indoors for now.
posted by suzieb
over 2 years ago
GG, most Phals are fine at 40 degrees. Phals need an autumn cool snap to set their bloom spikes. I have left Phals in the greenhouse when it could only be heated to just above freezing and they were fine.
Are you back home Nana? How was your adventure in the Carolinas? Did you miss the hurricaine?
posted by suzieb
over 2 years ago
I've been back a couple of weeks so no hurricane for me! We were on a waiting list for a campground in Franklin, NC and an opening came up so we put down our deposit. We will be spending May-Oct up there this year.
