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how do i maintain a flowering spike

16 years ago

i have read previous posts relating to this topic - but I'm still confused. This is my first time to see my phalaenopsis spiking, so I'd appreciate your help here.

Okay, it's autumn here in Aust - and the temp get to 15 degree Celsius in the house.

Is it true that if I turn on a ducted heating - to warm up the house to about 23 degree celsisus - will that be the end of my flowering spike? The fact is, when winter approaches, we have to turn on the heater - or else we'll be freeze to death.

Then, I read from other posts saying that dramatic changes to temp will make the flower buds drop ....or baby orchid form instead of a flower bud.. that's where I get confuse here.

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Comments (4)

meghanize
16 years ago
Yes, temperature fluctuations will definitely kill your buds -- it's called bud blast and I got to experience it with my second orchid purchase after I brought it into my office and placed it near a vent.

If the plant is near a vent, move it. If it's too near a window, move it or make sure the window is well-insulated. If the plant is near an outside-leading door that is opened often, move it. Otherwise, think of it this way: the reason you'll be heating the house is to maintain a comfortable temperature, no? So long as you keep the temperature constant, perhaps by heating gradually, you should be alright.

Also, the actual blooms are much hardier than the buds. If you can get them all bloomed, it should tolerate the temperature change fairly well.
orchid126
16 years ago
What is comfortable for you will be comfortable for the phal. As meghanize says, just make sure there is no draft, hot dry air, sudden chill, etc. When phals are in bloom they don't even need to be near a strong light source, such as a cold window sill.
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arthurm
16 years ago
Jumbo, you should at least put in the state where you are in "My Page details " and when taking note of all the mostly good advice here take note of where the poster lives.

I have at least half a dozen starting new spikes and have never had any problems growing spikes to flowering in past years. The key sentence is in the post from orchid126 about the orchid being comfortable where you are.
i do run the air conditioning system for an hour or two at night. but that doesn't seem to do harm because the house is open plan and the vents are not near the orchids which are not moved from windowsills during winter.
Much below 12C and Cold and Wet will give you problems but other than that and especially if you can get some gentle filtered sunlight on the leaves, you should do fine.
richardol
16 years ago
Turn the heater on and sit in front of the orchid with your face about on level with the plant. See if you can feel a draft that way. It is amazing where a flow of hot air can get to even if you are not exactly in front of the vent.

Now that the spike is initiated, the plant doesn't need the temperature change for the spike to continue and bloom.

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