Please, your opinion matters. What's yours about my set up for Phals?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I was wondering if anyone here thought this environment I have set my Phals into would be good enough?

I can show lots of pictures once someone adds a post so it will pop up in my e-mail and I can POST the pics from my phone. You are a great bunch of people here and very helpful. So I trust some will step up to the plate and give me their thoughts or improvements. I will give details once someone posts here))

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myermike_1micha
Original Author

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Nancy thank you ! I was hoping I would get a quick response and activity more than normal theses days. ))

James, what's up !?? Good to see you. I still have visions of your beautiful in home might I add orchids. Going to the orchid show tomorrow and can not wait.

First the pictures then I‘ll fill in the detail on my computer

This is them. They are fragrant ones sitting to the right side of a south facing window. They are sitting on the pebbles for extra humidity getting morning light and some over head artificial on cloudy long dark days.

South facing window at one of my homes. Sitting about a foot back from it.

In this window my gardenia grows like wild letting me know there is lots of light. The Phals are just to the right of them not getting the direct straight on sunlight like these do or the window plants.

Humidity is usually this high all winter long unless I shut the humidifier off which at times I have to.

See my over hanging lights? I have the top flat grow lights or I can use the 100 watt daylight LED bulbs or I could use both on cloudy days all winter. I use them for at least 10 hours on dark days. Not at all when the sun shines.

To the top right at the ceiling I also have a skylight that allows above them 8 feet to the right . I also have a ceiling fan for air movement above them a small table fan on oscillating all day long towards them. Lots of air movement.

Normal temps on cloudy days and at night about 65. Higher than that on sunny days.

The humidifier set on low.

Any advice gratefully appreciated. I know I have to water properly and keep them in the right mix. But with the right watering and the mix do you think they will be happy? Anything else I should do?

Thanks a bunch to all in advance.

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Comments (8)

James _J
5 years ago
Batter up.
nanzjade z5 MA
5 years ago
Mike, This sounds interesting... look forward to see your set up.
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James _J
5 years ago
Hello Mike,

Have fun at the show, I have to wait unit Jan. to Feb in my area.

Everything looks healthy so I would say keep doing what your doing.

I gave up on using humidifiers years ago. They didn't seem to do much and the power use and up keep wasn't worth it. I found having more plants in the room helped with the humidity. Another thing i realized was that it was easier to raise the humidity at the root zone instead of the whole room. For plants that I want to boost the humidity a bit I sit the pot in a vase with some water in the bottom. The bottom of the pot doesn't touch the water but as the water evaporates it rises through the pot.
myermike_1micha
Original Author
5 years ago
James, thanks a bunch! I like the idea of sticking a plant into a vase with stones with water. You see the glass small fish bowl? I thought I would try that and it seems to work. I am thinking ion buying some shallow glass bowls and filling them with stones then setting them on top of them. It would look nicer than the stones in that flat pan I have. I might not need a humidifier after all since I think it's too high a lot for that room most times anyways. Also I never thought of the electricity that I can save.

That room is also full of succulents and cacti so the chance of rotting some with humidity like that could rise. Too, as you saw, I have tones of surrounding plants anyways. I did notice even without the humidifier it just feels more humid in there when entering the room anyways. Less chance of crown rot on those too.

I am so grateful you chimed in. These are things you just don't think of unless you come here to share with good people. Thank you.'

Do you have a recent picture of that orange flowering orchid I fell in love with years ago? What's you favorite fragrant orchid these days? I wish you could come with us tomorrow to the show))

Mike
myermike_1micha
Original Author
5 years ago
Please. anyone else? I thought there would be a few more involved here((

James, did you see my response?

MIke
James _J
5 years ago
Hi Mike, had a busy weekend so didn’t get a chance to log in.

Unfortunately, while testing my plants for viruses that plant came up positive so it had to go. It was tough to do but I will find another one one day.

The glass bowl should work fine. I look for interesting little glass containers at garage and rummage sales. You can find stuff for less than a dollar.

I’m way behind schedule this year getting the winter grow space set up. I’ll get some pictures when I get set up.
myermike_1micha
Original Author
5 years ago
James, time to get un busy! Ha I really miss it when you post and really love your orchids. I would really love to see some of your recent orchids and in flower too. Thank you James! Sorry to hear about that orchid. That was a beauty. I bet you miss it(

Please, your opinion matters. What's yours about my set up for Phals?

myermike_1micha
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Please, your opinion matters. What's yours about my set up for Phals?

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James _J

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