I am lucky enough to have a friends in Delray Beach, FL offer us
the use of their posh house for January. One of our "chores" was
to water their houise plants, including one chock full Phal. with
dozens of flowers showing. The suprise instructions were to load
the plant top (that plant was crowded) with ice cubes. The big
surprise was whwn they returned, we hidn't

That's a trick that is used when someone puts together a multi-orchid
display, such as in a big basket, and covers it with Spanish moss or
something, making it hard to get at the individual plants for watering.
Also, some people 'chill' certain genera using that method, in order to
induce spikes. In Delray, there's enough of a diurnal temp range to make
the practice unnecessary. Of course, you said "house plant". If I were
your friends I would simply move the Phals outside for a bit at the proper
time.

Diana

That's a trick that is used when someone puts together a multi-orchid
display, such as in a big basket, and covers it with Spanish moss or
something, making it hard to get at the individual plants for watering.
Also, some people 'chill' certain genera using that method, in order to
induce spikes. In Delray, there's enough of a diurnal temp range to make
the practice unnecessary. Of course, you said "house plant". If I were
your friends I would simply move the Phals outside for a bit at the proper
time.

Diana

That's a trick that is used when someone puts together a multi-orchid
display, such as in a big basket, and covers it with Spanish moss or
something, making it hard to get at the individual plants for watering.
Also, some people 'chill' certain genera using that method, in order to
induce spikes. In Delray, there's enough of a diurnal temp range to make
the practice unnecessary. Of course, you said "house plant". If I were
your friends I would simply move the Phals outside for a bit at the proper
time.

Diana

That's a trick that is used when someone puts together a multi-orchid
display, such as in a big basket, and covers it with Spanish moss or
something, making it hard to get at the individual plants for watering.
Also, some people 'chill' certain genera using that method, in order to
induce spikes. In Delray, there's enough of a diurnal temp range to make
the practice unnecessary. Of course, you said "house plant". If I were
your friends I would simply move the Phals outside for a bit at the proper
time.

Diana