Temp and humidity issue

[orchidaddict789]

There are two places where I can place my phals (more specifically, tetrapsis, bellina, and other species):

Location 1: 65 degrees F, humidity 60-65% (good humidity but too cold)
Location 2: 78-81 degrees F, very low humidity (the heater makes the air really dry...it's giving me skin problems)

Other factors like light, air movement, etc. are about the same.

I'm particularly concerned about my Phal tetrapsis. It's currently in Location 2. In September it grew a 1" aerial root that was OK until yesterday, when I let the medium get too dry, and it shriveled overnight.

What should I do? Warm temps/low humidity or low temps/high humidity?

[Filb]

I'm very interested in the response because I've been having a similar issue, but only with the low temps and decent humidity.

[psyc1210]

Not sure what to tell you about humidity, but from what I remember about Phal tetraspis, it is found growing very close to waterfalls. Rainfall in that area is pretty heavy, and consistent throughout the year. I tend to leave maybe 1/16 inch of water in the saucer that my tetraspis sits in, so that it can soak it up and not dry out as quickly. I pot in LECA though, in a bottom draining pot.

[JudyC]

I'm NO expert, learning here every day - but for room #1 - couldn't you just buy a small radiator style portable heater and plug it in on the occasional evening when the temps drop. I have 1 that we use occasionally, they can be purchased anywhere, and ours has about 4-5 levels of heat. It costs min. $$ to run in hydro, especially on low.

Looking forward to seeing what others may say also...it just may be beneficial to me at some point too

*on edit - forgot to say that I also run a small humidifier when it deems necessary also* Plus all my orchids are all on gravel humidity trays that I check daily.

[-k-]

I don't see any problem with location 1 the temp is still in the right range albeit on the lower end of the spectrum. I also have 3 Phal. tetrapsis I bought as seedlings; they grow in very similar temps and humidity without issue (now that it's winter), all of them are currently pushing out new roots! Either location brings the same challenge however even with the higher humidity...aerial roots can get tricky when their potted up since aerial roots need more watering than the actual media unless mounted and watered daily. Using a spray bottle to mist is an option, or even bring it to the sink and water the aerial roots when needed. (I like to use the sink sprayer)

[Ron]

Originally Posted by orchidaddict789

There are two places where I can place my phals (more specifically, tetrapsis, bellina, and other species):

Location 1: 65 degrees F, humidity 60-65% (good humidity but too cold)
Location 2: 78-81 degrees F, very low humidity (the heater makes the air really dry...it's giving me skin problems)

Other factors like light, air movement, etc. are about the same.

I'm particularly concerned about my Phal tetrapsis. It's currently in Location 2. In September it grew a 1" aerial root that was OK until yesterday, when I let the medium get too dry, and it shriveled overnight.

What should I do? Warm temps/low humidity or low temps/high humidity?

Hi I grow all my Phalls and species Phalls with a minium of 62-63F at night.
that is a abolsolute minium at night, dead in the middle of winter, I feel for my Phalls with out too many problems.
Spring / Summer most nights it barely gets below 70F and as much as 100 +F
Some days maybe up to 120F but not too often.
As mosy Phalaenopsis are semi to tropicial I feel spring and summer temp. above 75F are ideal, with a mimium tempature of say 76F humidity of 50 to 70.

[orchids4me]

@ psyc1210- is this a clay pot or plastic pot with hydroton and a saucer ?

[psyc1210]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

@ psyc1210- is this a clay pot or plastic pot with hydroton and a saucer ?

plastic slotted pot, and one of the little flimsy plastic saucer things you can find at Lowe's/Home Depot.

[Brooke]

Starting each fall and until summer rolls around again, my over night temp is 60 and humidity is all over the place. All my Phals, even the warmer growing ones survive with these over night lows.

If you are losing your newest roots as they emerge, try repotting and lowering it in the pot or place a layer of sphag over the short roots until it reaches the media.

Brooke

[Ray]

Have you considered heating mats in space #1, or adding a humidifier to #2?