A presentation at Norman's (Orchids.com) stated they need about 50 deg F to
iniitate the spikes. I have my Phals in the back bedroom near a window and
at night, with our heater off, we can see 50 deg. I live in So Calif near
Pomona.

Will be great for the flowers. Seems cold should not hurt orchids unless,
of course, they freeze.

My cymbidiums also get this 'cool' treatment for their subsequent flower
spikes. They are outside and I do not worry about them unless it gets below
freezing for several nights in a row. I 'watch' them with a remote
thermometer and figure they are good down to 30 deg F. Could be lower but
do not care to push it.

I also grow oranges in the central valley (not where I live) and they CAN
take down to 26 deg due to the sugar content. Also depends on how long this
low is maintained.

Vito


"Ray B" wrote in message
news:000001ca685f$36db3d40$0201a8c0@fro...
Somewhere in the 550-600 range is my preference.

One thing to keep in mind is that while most phals grow better if kept
really warm (80's, low 90's with lots of shade and humidity), some phals
need a couple weeks of cooler temperatures (about 150 lower, on average)
in order to initiate flower spikes.

Most of the time (depending upon where you live), the cold from the
window will provide that around this time of year, and you'll see
blossoms about February - just when you need them to get over the winter
doldrums.

Ray Barkalow - First Rays LLC - www.firstrays.com
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