Orchids and air conditioning

[Bob]

A few years ago, I brought home my first two orchids. Both Phals., one in bloom.
It was mid summer and very hot. The next day I turned on the a/c and a couple of hours
later all the blossoms dropped. I've been reluctant to use the air ever since, preferring to
suffer in the heat rather than harm the plants. Was that a one time shock or is a/c bad
for orchids? I've never heard or read anything about this. I've always thought it might just have
been too much of a shock from the conditions it had been grown in, but haven't been willing to
take the chance, especially now with mostly Phrags. and still a few Phals.
Anyone ever have such an experience or know if it's ok to keep cool?

[gardenguysorchids]

Most likely it was the shock of temp changes initally. The orchids I grow in our living quarters are subjected to central air and I have never had a problem with any of them including Phrags, phals and paphs. So quit sweating and get comfortable. LOL

[pavel]

Most likely it was the shock of temp changes initally. The orchids I grow in our living quarters are subjected to central air and I have never had a problem with any of them including Phrags, phals and paphs. So quit sweating and get comfortable. LOL

+1 .

[otis226]

Most likely it was the shock of temp changes initally. The orchids I grow in our living quarters are subjected to central air and I have never had a problem with any of them including Phrags, phals and paphs. So quit sweating and get comfortable. LOL

I agree. That was most likely just a shock reaction to a big change to the plant. Phals do fine for me in central air as well as Paphs.
Good Growing,
Tony

[panam]

Oh, Bob, use your air conditioner! If you die from the heat, who will take care of your orchids?

[Kmac]

Oh, Bob, use your air conditioner! If you die from the heat, who will take care of your orchids?

LOL, totally agree! Your phal probably came home thru the heat, and then got hit by the AC, and that was a shock. But many orchids (including my phals) live with me, and with AC. I will say AC dries the air out a lot, and so I do try harder to keep water in humidity trays, mist, etc. But, I think phals do quite well even without that.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Turn on that AC and keep yourself and your orchids cool. Just don't let it blow directly on the plants and remember AC removes humidity from the air, as Kathi points out, so be sure to keep the humidity up around your plants. Grouping them closer together helps.

cheers,
BD

[Bob]

My A/C is on and it looks as though I, along with my orchids, will survive. No dropped blossoms and I haven't passed out once!
Glad you mentioned the humidity in relation to the A/C, Bruce. I had been thinking about that and have been more conscientious about keep up with
the water in the trays. Everything looks good. THANKS TO ALL! Bob

[otis226]

I've actually been bringing a few of my mini Phals in from the very hot lanai the past couple of days. It's in the mid 90's out there some afternoons, and even with 2 fans running its HOT. In my house the a/c is set on 80oF and the humidity still runs about 40-50% so the plants get a break from the extreme heat, but certainly aren't getting 'chilled!
Cheers,
Tony