Water temp for S/H

[Cewal]

Our inside temperature is 58-60 during the winter. Should I take the chill off of the water before I water my plants and mist them?

[janet_a]

any water i give any plants is room temp for where the plants are. you just don't want to shock 'em with too big a temp change.

[Ray]

I think you may be confusing two unrelated issues.

The temperature of your watering solution is related more to the plants than to the way you are growing them. I keep my greenhouse water tank at 70°F, and I have noticed that the phals really respond well to that, actively growing all winter instead of going dormant when I used water cooler than that. Most warm-growers will apprciate the warmer water.

Your ambient temperature is something to think about with plants in semi-hydroponics, as the evaporative cooling from the open, airy medium can chill the root systems to temperatures they don't like. For example, if your growing environment is very dry in the winter, a temp in the 58°-60°F range might be too cool for phals.

[Cewal]

Originally Posted by Ray

I think you may be confusing two unrelated issues.

The temperature of your watering solution is related more to the plants than to the way you are growing them. I keep my greenhouse water tank at 70°F, and I have noticed that the phals really respond well to that, actively growing all winter instead of going dormant when I used water cooler than that. Most warm-growers will apprciate the warmer water.

Your ambient temperature is something to think about with plants in semi-hydroponics, as the evaporative cooling from the open, airy medium can chill the root systems to temperatures they don't like. For example, if your growing environment is very dry in the winter, a temp in the 58°-60°F range might be too cool for phals.

I was going to change my phals over to S-H, but maybe that's not a good idea. Would using a heat mat through the winter help? Is 58-60 deg F too cool for my paphs in S-H? I only have 3 paphs in S-H so far. One I ordered from you last week, and two that I just repotted yesterday.

[Ray]

A heating mat is certainly an economical way to keep the plants warm enough in reduced-temperature environments. A 17W, 9" x 22" mat only costs about $0.06 per day to operate here in some of the more expensive electric rates in the country.

I only commented on the phals as they are notorious for rotting if kept cold and wet; I cannot speak with authority on other genera. All of my paphs do great in s/h culture, and I keep my greenhouse at 60°-65°F, depending upon where you are in it. The paphs tend to be on the cooler end.

[Cewal]

Thanks, Ray. I think I'll try two of my phals in s/h culture with a heating mat. I see you have the mats at your online store. Thanks.