It will likely abort its flowers in response to its environmental change. You'll notice etiolation before the plant becomes irrecoverable. If the leaves are getting yellow, it's gone too long without light. It will need to recover in its happy space before in considers flowering for you again.

I personally (who care about the health of the plant), would probably only do it for a day or two. How would you (in place of plant) like being unable to have any food (photosynthesis)? I mean it can go longer than you..but you are starving it.

I did for many years. They do fine. If they are in full bloom, put it wherever for a while, a few weeks. Maybe on the weekend stick it back near a window for a few days but I never had a problem with them declining unless you did that for months.

Have you seen Phals blooming in office buildings, bathrooms, doctor offices, etc? They sit for weeks, months and do fine. Most Phals are not making new growth during that phase and pretty much rest. Some Phals will start new growth after a while, but they seem to tolerate it pretty well.

You must change your watering. If the plant is getting no natural light, only water when almost dry. Best to take the plant to the sink, give it water until it runs through and do not water again until almost dry. Stick your finger down into the pot to feel.

The plant should be fine for a few weeks to a month and then you can move it back where it was.

Jane

What kind of plant is this pls? I think that matters.

Enjoy the bloom. Maybe some water as needed. I grow to enjoy my orchids. And they are very tough. Not needed to be a slave to the plants.

Good point, a slow growing plant will be less obviously affected than a rapid growing one.

I would only do it when you are having company and you want to show off a plant or two. Then back it goes! Rosie

As Hu said, the type matters. A low-light phal or paph should do fine for several weeks in a fairly bright/non-direct light spot in the house, I do it all of the time. A high light catt or vanda may not be able to stay in the same spot nearly as long.

Good luck,

Bob

I am siding with abarron. Luvmchids posted on several forums at once. If you put an African Violet in a very low light conditions - in a week the blossoms would look poor and the leaves will start stretching. It won't die - but there will be no reason to keep on display. And it can be said about any fast growing plant. Phalenopsis will probably be OK if you keep it in a center of a room for a couple of months. It is a slow grower. But eventually you will see that the plant itself start changing - time to go back. I keep my Orchids under the lights until they start opening the blossoms and on the kitchen table until the blossoms are gone. It is not the brightest spot - but it gets enough morning light. So - probably when you chose a display place... find one with a better light to accommodate the plant and make it visible at the same time. With AVs... just for several days...

Thank you all for your advice. I have phals, paphs, and African violets. I also have flowering kalanchoe and a small jasmine that just bloomed and smells amazing. They are all in various windows around the house. I'd love to make a display of my blooming plants but the only spot is on a table about 10 feet from the nearest window that gets virtually no sunlight. I guess I'll just use the orchids in the display and make my twice daily visits to the others in the windows.

I'll say it again. If the Phal is fully bloomed, put it anywhere you want. It will stay beautiful until it starts getting dusty. I've done it for many years.

I also take plants from doctor/dentist offices to rebloom the next year. That is why Phals are used for offices and lobbies. Doctor offices and Dentists have Phals in bathrooms, offices, reception desks for months.

If they are watered properly (less), they do fine. Some of the plants I rebloom are covered with dust from sitting in offices for months.

Just display your Phals and don't worry about it. As was posted above, this does not apply to Cattleyas or other short blooming orchids. But Phals do just fine.

I have no experience with African Violets.

Jane