Heat mats made a significant improvement
 

I have had a grow chamber running for about 3 years. My success has varied with the plant type. It seems that my intergeneric oncidiums did very well. Cattleya's grew well but had a maybe 40% bloom rate.

The poorest performers were 3 Phal's, 4 Paph's and 2 Phrags. They did not grow much, lost some leaves, never bloomed, and were just in poor shape. My chamber temps are fairly consistent year round, and are in the 67 night - 80 day degree range, with RH always above 60%. I thought the temps were fine, but decided to put the problem chids on a heat mat that was already in the chamber, but only used for transplants for a month or so. After putting the Phals, Phrags and Paphs on the heat mat for 9 months, the change was most remarkable. New leaves on all of the plants, 3 of the 4 Paph's bloomed, 2 of the 3 Phals have bloomed and the Phrags are growing better than they ever have.

I am now wondering if my Cats and Onc. would do even better with a little warmth on the roots. Of course I will try it, but wanted some feedback from the s/h growers on the forum as to if root warmth has made an improvement across all species.

I would imagine that an ambient air temp. of less that 70 in the spring-fall time period is not warm enough for all orchid types in s/h.

Thoughts appreciated.

Joe

The photography forum isn't the right place for this thread, so I've moved it. It's in the 'advanced discussion' forum, but please let me know if you would prefer to have it elsewhere.

I don't use heat mats myself, but bottom heating is a pretty common way to keep plants warm in commercial set-ups, by usinghot water pipes running under the benches. Root temperature has a far greater impact on plant growth than air temperature (as you've discovered) and allows nurseries to save money on heating costs by maintaining a lower air temperature.

I would say that yes, bottom heat is also going to have a positive effect on all warm loving species during the cooler months of the year.

Thanks for moving it Camille. I intended to post in the S/H forum.

I'll move it there for you. :)