Julie Rutledge's List: Orchids

• Phalaenopsis   prefer either an east or a lightly shaded south facing window.

• • the pond should be in full sun
   
  • it should be away from any trees that drop their leaves, especially   Willow, Elder, Poplars, Laburnum, Yew and Oak
   
  • try to be sure that the garden pond is not exposed to the North winds
   
  • avoid water-logged areas
   
  • consider the closest water source
   
  • also should consider the source of electricity if you plan on having   fountains or waterfalls. I urge you to do this.
   
  • consider the safety of children who may fall head first into the pond.
• If you are living in the South USA they can stay out all year round.
• they would need to come in once the temps start going below 5055  degrees F.
• Having higher humidity will normally allow you to water less frequently. If  they are in full sun be sure that you have orchids like dendrobiums, cattleyas  or oncidiums.

2 more annotations...

• prefer bright indirect sunlight with maybe a few hours of direct early morning sun, temperatures between 60 to 85 F, humidity above 50%, some light air movement along with some water and food
• To help it start the next bloom cycle, around August feed it some epsom salt.  Yes, that's right, epsom salt.  Epsom salt is actually Sulphate of Magnesium and magnesium in small amounts can help the phal initiate the blooming cycle.  For 2 or 3 watering cycles in August, mix a teaspoon of epsom salt in a quart of luke warm water and water the phal. with the entire mixture.
• Around September, allow the phal to experience night temperatures around 55 F for 2 to 3 weeks
• As the stalk grows longer and longer, place a support stake in the pot near the stalk, loosely tie the stalk to the stake about every 6 inches to make it grow upward.  During this time, try to ensure the stalk is facing the light in the same direction as changing the direction it faces the light will cause the blooms to open facing all different directions.  

2 more annotations...

• Next is a change in temperatures.
• t is recommended that your temperatures vary about 10 - 15 degrees between day and night time.
• After you have done this the spike needs to be protected from disease. This is accomplished by using cinnamon powder
• Cinnamon is should be used on any cut area.
• If all else has failed there is one last trick to reblooming you can use. And that is to get the orchid into darkness. Yes, I said darkness.
• • for reblooming, put the orchid in darkness for 12 hours a day.
• To do this the plant needs darkness for at least 12 hours a day. This can be accomplished by putting it in a dark basement or putting a lightweight dark cloth over it.

5 more annotations...

• To initiate spiking, the temperature must remain consistantly below 82 degrees. A temperature of 90 degrees, even for a short time, will prevent spiking.  3.
• To have more flowers on a spike, from the time the spike is 2 inches, until it is 8 inches, the temperature must remain consistantly between 65 degrees and 77 degrees.