Growing in a greenhouse in Ohio with mixed genera, I can't always give each group of plants perfect conditions at all points of the year. Hence, some go outside during the warmer weather for more sun (schomburgkias, laelia anceps, rupicolous laelias, etc.), the disas go outside during the same period for sun and temperature control (special cold-water flowtray set-up), etc. Now, in addition to the laelia purpurata group, I have put maybe 150 or so paphs out as last year, only this year hope for at least 4-6 weeks of 40-45F nights, to induce blooming. All BS parvis not currently in spike, all bulldogs not currently in spike, same for strap-leaved ones, including the barbigerum group, etc. But not the maudiae types.
I feel these have underperformed in the past and am thinking this is the next thing to try. I'd like to get that 30+ growth micranthum to put out more than one inflorescence this year (hear that, Leo??), have several henryanums I've had at least 20 years which have never bloomed, and others in the same boat as well, for example. It's been as low as 40 a couple nights and may get down to 37 this week. I'm wondering how low I can let them go without substantive damage to the plants. Ideally, as I said, I'd like to leave them out for at least 4-6 weeks of this treatment. Our weather took a downward spike quickly last year so they only had two weeks of this treatment (which di result in the first-ever blooming of the monster micranthum I've had for eleven years, albeit only one flower). I can cover them if necessary for a one-night cold snap but once it's regularly going below 40 or so they'll have to come in.
I'm interested in hearing input on this.
I feel these have underperformed in the past and am thinking this is the next thing to try. I'd like to get that 30+ growth micranthum to put out more than one inflorescence this year (hear that, Leo??), have several henryanums I've had at least 20 years which have never bloomed, and others in the same boat as well, for example. It's been as low as 40 a couple nights and may get down to 37 this week. I'm wondering how low I can let them go without substantive damage to the plants. Ideally, as I said, I'd like to leave them out for at least 4-6 weeks of this treatment. Our weather took a downward spike quickly last year so they only had two weeks of this treatment (which di result in the first-ever blooming of the monster micranthum I've had for eleven years, albeit only one flower). I can cover them if necessary for a one-night cold snap but once it's regularly going below 40 or so they'll have to come in.
I'm interested in hearing input on this.