Your pictures are fine. The outside root looks okay, but roots farther toward the middle can be in trouble, and we can't see them. The sphag looks fresh - good. The pot has extra drainage and is perfect for Phals. For Phals, it's fine to pull them from the pot when they're spiking, budding, or blooming. You can even repot them. The only time I've run into trouble was by hitting the spike/flowers on the kitchen window or counter while handling the plant. :) If you take it out of the pot and gently separate the moss so you can see the inner roots, the plant will be fine. You can also see if the moss is packed very tightly, which could keep it from drying fast enough. The temp range sounds good. Your night temps might get a bit cooler than 60, but that would likely affect blooming more than staying wet too long. Can you get the plant into an Eastern window where it could get a few hours of direct sun, when the sun's out? The deal about Phals needing low light doesn't seem to apply in the house - they need higher light. Regardless, it might be good to pull the plant from that pot now, separate the moss so more air can get in, and put the plant and moss in a larger pot - not adding any bark or moss - so the sphag can dry out. It's okay if the spike or leaves rest against the rim. If you don't have a larger orchid/flower pot, you could put it in a mixing bowl or a cooking pot. While it's drying, you could go to a big box store or garden store and get a small package of orchid mix or orchid bark. It might have perlite (or sponge rock) and charcoal in it. Either plain bark or the mix would be fine. Then, you could gently take the moss off the roots, tear it or chop it into pieces a couple of inches long, if it's longer, and then mix in the bark so it's about 1/3 of the medium. Repot the Phal in that mix, which should dry out faster. Long-term, consider artificial lighting to supplement your natural daylight. An incidental advantage is that CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) throw a bit of heat, so plants dry faster. Hope this helps. Whitecat8

(Apologies for the length of this and the fact it's off-topic) Bahia, Here's what the Annie's sign says: "Well, weve figured out how to propagate it, but its REALLY IFFY, takes a REALLY LONG TIME, & we only get a few!" For some reason I had assumed they meant propagation by cuttings--maybe not? But if seed packets are $3 with 10-20 seeds per packet (I don't know if that's the case) then than roughly 5% germination brings the seed price per seedling to closer to $5 maybe (neglecting those insignificant things such as labor...). Annie's says the plants were $50 last time they were offered, so perhaps 5% germination could make sense? The whole story behind germination actually sounds quite fascinating and has to do with ants. Here's a long description: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Seed "Myrmecochory is the dispersal of seeds by ants. Foraging ants disperse seeds which have appendages called elaiosomes (e.g. bloodroot, trilliums, Acacias, and many species of Proteaceae). Elaiosomes are soft, fleshy structures that contain nutrients for animals that eat them. The ants carry such seeds back to their nest, where the elaiosomes are eaten. The remainder of the seed, which is hard and inedible to the ants, then germinates either within the nest or at a removal site where the seed has been discarded by the ants. This dispersal relationship is an example of mutualism, since the plants depend upon the ants to disperse seeds, while the ants depend upon the plants seeds for food. As a result, a drop in numbers of one partner can reduce success of the other. In South Africa, the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) has invaded and displaced native species of ants. Unlike the native ant species, Argentine ants do not collect the seeds of Mimetes cucullatus or eat the elaiosomes. In areas where these ants have invaded, the numbers of Mimetes seedlings have dropped." From what I understand the removal of the elaiosome increases the germination rate, and it's not clear to me whether there's a way to mimic it. Plantzafrica mentions that suprisingly smoke treatment does nothing. Actually Silverhill did have a different Mimetes species, M. hirtus, a couple months ago. Unfortunately I saw it described by Plantzafrica as a marsh plant which didn't seem too practical. However they did seem to like it: http://www.plantzafrica.com/frames/plantsfram.htm "Sima Eliovson, author of Proteas for pleasure, referred to Mimetes hirtus as 'the most magnificent species of Mimetes, the most spectacular genus of the protea family'. Nevertheless, the future of the species is uncertain as it is also one of the most geographically restricted mimetes, growing only in boggy areas mainly at low altitudes. As a consequence of the latter, it is often out-competed for its preferred habitat by housing developments. Fortunately it is one of the less troublesome to grow in cultivation-an aspect that may aid its chance of survival as a species." They also add: "M. hirtus is a relatively short-lived member of the protea family. It grows rapidly as a result, and may start flowering after only two years of growth. Plants reach their peak by ten years of age and die shortly thereafter, at a maximum age of about fifteen years." Two years is pretty fast for a protea. Again, sorry for the length and for going off topic.

There are 3 TJs sorta near me but none close enough to shop at regularly. One sells no liquor at all & the other two only sell beer. So, no cheap wine. The one we usually go to is out-of-state & in an old dreary strip mall. The store is disorganized & dirty. It's a very depressing place to shop. We rarely go, maybe twice/year. I suspect the other two stores are nicer but they are a lot further to drive & in a direction we seldom travel. We are supposed to get a new WFs within five miles but it's at least a couple years away. People here are very complimentary of TJs but I really don't have much good to say. Ours is just the pits. Well, I do have something good...the people working there are friendly & helpful. :) /tricia

Another vote for the Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar here -- I don't even need olive oil with it and have used it straight on some of my salads. It has just a touch of sweetness and is mild enough that you can do that if you want -- especially with a salad tat has a protein and fruit in the summer. This time of year, butternut squash mac and cheese makes a brief appearance. It is better than the plain, I wish they had it year round. I am going to have to figure out a similar homemade version. It isn't something I eat very often, but it sure can hit the spot. My son always has the hatch mac and cheese in his freezer -- it's pretty good too. The butternut has a noticeable amount of black pepper, but neither should be too spicy for anyone not on a bland diet. IMO (in TX but not a total pepper head) My dogs love the pumpkin dog biscuits (and all the others too), but the oldest has been diagnosed with kidney disease and we are working on diet changes for them. If you see a little foil pouch with a red top near the checkout that is dark chocolate almond toffee bites, you might want to try one. Simple thing -- garlic and shallots. Better at TJ's than the grocery and we were getting CJ Ranch from Gilroy, CA garlic and we prefer that. Kalamata Olive Oil -- we just like the flavor. I am going to have to look for the pears. I bet I missed them if they are gone in Louisiana now. Costco -- always for meats, rotisserie chicken, organic unbleached flour, wine and fruit, vanilla beans this time of year, ciabatta rolls, and another vote for multi grain chips and the Charisma and no-name towels. I bought a bundle of the wash cloths to try as single use hand towels in my powder room -- almost too thick to put out as many as I would like at once, but playing with the fold/roll options. If you have't tried one, I'll make a plug for the Amope foot file and the deals they have at Costco (bundle and sometimes a coupon special), The new wet/dry one is a drastic improvement -- never used it wet, but love the two speeds and the fact that it doesn't eat up disposable batteries. Hard to remember what we have been buying there -- the other things that come to mind are the office supplies, kitchen organizers and things we have gotten for the son who graduated and just started teaching. And tires for my car. Oh -- for your own car or a holiday gift -- this https://www.costco.com/Lithium-Jump-Starter-Portable-Power-Bank-with-Brush-Metal-Finish.product.100383979.html