Phal Strategy for South Florida

If you cannot control both temperature and light, it is very difficult to impossible for the hobby grower to grow Phals in South Florida. Even with low light, the heat of 95 degrees plus in July and August either kills or severely damages Phals. Some help can be obtained by misting fans. I have tried fans without the misting and even those had limited benefit. The easist strategy for hobby growings of a limited number of Phals is to grow the Phals indoors in a window. However, you will not be able to grow them indoors all year long. The temperature inside the house will not be variable enough to have good blooms. So you will need to move you Phals outside protected from direct sun when the weather starts to have 55 to 60 degree nights and no warmer than 80 to 85 during the day. This VARIATION in temperature will help the Phals bloom stronger and bigger......Good Growing!

South Florida, Orchids, Water & Fertilizer

Now in October, as the days get shorter and the temps cooler, remember to cut back on water and fertilizer.

Some orchids require dryness and rest from now until March or April. If you have these, resist the temptation to water. Some of these are nobile dendrobiums and the Callista section of dendrobiums. No water for the cowhorn orchids either

South Florida: Vanda Orchids and weather change

The weather is changing in South Florida. Shorter days and cooler nights. This change can be good for your Vanda's. The cooler nights with help your Vanda's to start blooming. If you gave your Vanda's plenty of fertilizer and water during the summer, the cooler weather will get them to bloom.

Just be careful. Most Vanda's do best if they do not get below 60 degrees. They will usually survive with lower temperatures, but the lower temp will slow or stop their growth and it may take four or five months before you get them started again. Since they grow slowly, you do not want to loose any growing time.