I've just drilled some holes in the pots now, and taken out a bit sphagnum (though there wasn't much to begin with). The bark was the only stuff i could find near me - is it far too small or should it be okay now i've added more air holes?

Orchids like to get wet but must dry out. Drilling holes is good. You can't drill too many. The roots like air. Is there a hole on the bottom? It needs one. They do not like to sit in a saucer of water. The plant needs air flow. That helps dry the pot. And they are air plants. Warmth, not hot helps growing and moisture reduction. Good luck.

Hi there, Yeah i've bought proper orchid pots with the raised air section in the base and i've added a few extra holes for good measure. In total I've drilled about 20 holes in each 15cm pot now :)

How much warmth and light should I give these plants would you say? i live in the UK so it's never very bright or warm compared to other parts of the world. Would a window sill be okay for them?

Thanks :)

Tell me about the climate at the window sill. temps, solar exposure, air movement, humidity...And I don't do centigrade. Sorry.

Average temp here is 53 - 59 Fahrenheit, though it's warmer than that at the mo, maximum we ever get would be around 83F, but that is rare. Sun shine hours per month are 150-190, more towards 190 at the moment. And average humidity is 90 - 70%, being closer to the 70% mark currently. I could place it on a window sill facing any direction depending on how much sun it needs considering this climate.

In terms of air flow, I don't know. it would be in my house, so i'd assume air flow would be bad? but I could place it near a window?

Thanks

See if you can find very bright but little to none direct sun. Air flow is helpful. If a match was lit the flame would barely move, but it would move. Even a fan from another room. How low does it get in winter? It needs a cool down to initiate flowering in the late fall or early winter. A cracked open window could provide the airflow...

I think I know a good position for that! With a window near-by too, so should be okay for them! :) In winter it can get down to around 17F, but that is unusual. I would say it averages about 35 - 45F most of the time.

And interesting that you mention flowering, my mum has said these haven't flowered again since she bought them 2 years ago. I assumed this was due to poor soil (she got them from a bargain store that doesn't usually sell plants) but maybe not?

it should be fertilized. Follow directions provided.

If you have it near a window that gives it some bright light, you'll get some flowers again. Even if the temperature doesn't vary much (though my guess is that even indoors, when autumn comes, you'll have cooler evenings), the difference in the length of the day will often trigger a flower spike. You seem to have it in a really good pot situation right now, so just wait and see!

As much as we talk about all the factors involved, at the end of the day, if the roots have humidity, and the leaves have lots of bright light, you're going to be rewarded. Don't think too hard about it.

Just an aside: I know it's discouraged, but in my experience, phals CAN get direct sun, either early morning or late afternoon, so it's not too intense. I've 10 phals here that all get at least two hours of direct early morning sun, and 4 of them have just spiked for the second time this year (that's a first for me!!).

Direct sun on phals is a matter of latitude. Here in Florida maybe a little direct in the winter but not needed. At northern latitudes some morning sun is helpful...