Autumn Orchid care/spiking
 

Since I'm not the only one who lives in my house...instead of arguing over the thermostat this fall, I have been planning on putting my phals outside when the sun goes down once I find a 10 degree difference in the outside night temps compared to my home (which there is now). This would take care of the light and the temp. change needed for spikes.

My question is that my phals are all growing stuff at the moment and I don't know if I need to wait until they are done growing their new leaves...or rather if it may cause them to abort their new leaves causing them to stay smaller than the rest.

Also I have a cat with a new growth and a paph (maudiae type) with a new growth. Do they need the light and temp change too? :hmm

Your phals will thrive outside. Not to worry.

How low can the temps go?

I would not worry, you might get some pause in growth but once the temps go up again it will all get going, mine can flower and grow leaves and roots all at the same time.

Probably around 55F would be the ideal low. Nothing below 50F if they have been outside and are conditioned to the temperatures.

Ok, thanks for the info.

What about the paph and the cattleya? Do they get the same treatment?

Also the temperatures will get too low by the end of October. Is that enough time?

Someone else will chime in on the Paph. and the Catt. I don't grow those.

The Phals only need 3 to 4 weeks of the lower night time temps.

If I'm not mistaken, the paph needs warmer conditions than a phal, while the cattleya can take even cooler.