Species Orchid
 

On some of my species phalanopsis and primary hybrids on the spikes the ends where the buds grow are turning a light green to yellow and it does not go down the spike what does this mean are they cold? Someone told me it means they are going to bud? I did not recall them doing this last summer Please any ideas?

RNAY ---- hard to say right now what's happening.

Maybe 1 or 2 close-up good resolution and well-focused pics can help with the assessment here.

Those spikes you are referring to. Are those spikes old (existing) spikes that have produced flower buds before?

Or are they brand new spikes that came out from the plant - and had never had flower buds before?

Also - if you actually need to ask the question of 'are they cold' ------ then I assume it does get quite cold over there. In which case, it will generally be recommended that the orchid is provided suitable growing temperatures. At the moment - I assume that it is provided temperatures in a suitable range (required for your phalaenopsis).

they are on older spikes. And the weather here has been really cold but the temp inside the house is anywhere from 72 to 75 degrees F. I changed some of them from moss to bark seeing as they were too wet for too long in the moss. this last summer they dried out pretty quickly the only difference is I am not running a fan right now so maybe that has something to do with it.

As SouthPark mentioned, a photo or two would probably be helpful, but from your second post, if these are indeed old spikes where the flowers have already fallen off, it could simply be that the spike itself is in the process of drying up and turning brown. In my experience, the change usually starts at the end and works its way down to the base. This is nothing to worry about. Spent spikes often dry up like that. That's when I choose to cut them off near the base. They will develop new spikes when they are ready.

Your temps sound like they are just fine.

That depends on what species you're talking about, not all of them keep spikes.

It can also be stress induced by sudden changes in conditions or low humidity.

I grew orchids in home for many years.
I was in Alaska.
Many of those in areas where winter is to be expected,will have some similar conditions to deal with.

Household temps will be kept at a range that is comfortable for the person, as you sat, 72 to 75*F, even into the upper 60s as I did for my Dendrobiums.

All it takes is for an outside door or window to be opened letting a short cold draft go over the orchids to give results similar to what you describe.
It doesn't take subzero weather to do this.
Voice of experience.