Phal - issues with fertilizer, pots, and environment, mainly - just issues... - Orchid Board

acaldwell3590 · #4 03-14-2017, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

I'm going to try to address (not answer) your questions. I think Carol did a fine job doing so, though there are a couple of points where we might not agree. And whomever posts after me is bound to disagree with some of what I say. As Carol said, we have a lot of different methods, and if what we do keeps the plants happy then it's right. Don't be afraid to experiment some and see what is best for your plants.

In fact, this is why I prefer to either mount or pot in baskets. Further along these same lines, I strongly prefer open pots and open media (if the plant isn't mounted) because they allow for excellent airflow to the roots, and Phalaenopsis roots love airflow. To my way of thinking, if the media is able to dry so that I have to water the plant every other day, or even every day when the plant is active, that's fine. My mounted Phals get watered twice daily when they're active.

Phals are fairly low-light plants and yours look healthy. That one is supporting a nice keiki is a good indication! I suspect the light they have is a bit on the low side, however. When you hold your hand 5 or 6 inches from the plant, does it cast a fuzzy shadow or a fairly well-defined one?

Since you have an air plant there I presume that you have a mister. Climate-controlled buildings are usually fairly low on the humidity scale, so a couple of sprays a day may help them.

A plastic pot is just about my last choice for most adult orchids.

First, thank you so much for your input! I really appreciate all of the information you took the time to give! I appreciate all of the different points of view people have about their orchid babies, the more I know the more I'm bound to find something that works for me! As for potting and air flow - oy, I had no idea until last week. My poor little orchids were still in their terrible plastic pots from the grocery store. I'm hoping they will be at least quite a bit happier in these for now until I learn a bit more and decide how to move forward. Mostly I just want them to grow some happier roots. Thank you for the suggestion of misting. My next thought was to get these guys a humidity tray of sorts just to maybe make them a bit happier. The lighting factor is a bit tougher to discern. I have those lovely florescent overhead lights and it's a cloudy wintry mess outside so I can decide if it's low light or just winter. I may end up moving these guys home which will be another can of worms to figure out where to put them.

---------- Post added at 08:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:59 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

As said, everyone has their own way.

I like to repot immediately on purchase. I have little faith that they will be properly potted.

I pot them up in coarse bark (2") that has been sieved to remove the fine stuff, and I use a wide, shallow pot. (Remember if you use coarse bark you cannot overpot.
I don't soak it but pot it dry and leave for 2 days to let any breakages heal.

When I water I use RO water with the bare minimum of fertiliser in every watering (Go to 'first Ray's ' page and read all the fertiliser stuff). Basically fertiliser is the least of your worries (unless you use to much), and frankly almost any fertiliser will do as long as it is a very weak solution.

I spray the media till water runs out the bottom. I do that once a week in winter, three times in summer.

Thanks for the info! I seem to have gone along the same lines as you with the potting. I wasn't so sure how to do it but I knew it had to be done sooner rather than later. I'm hoping to just keep giving them some TLC and seeing improvements.

---------- Post added at 08:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Another thought, after seeing your picture, is that there are very attractive plant lights available. I see from your location that winters can be dreary and you may want to suppliment. You can clip one to your cube or they are free standing, as your plants do look a little dark green ( in my opinion). A quick search on Amazon will turn up lots. (And thanks for doing the Walk). Also, to up the humidity, you can add a low light leafy plant, like a pothos, which will give off some moisture (although Phals aren't very fussy).

Ohh that's a good idea! I also noticed the darkness of the leaves and originally thought this was a good thing. Never assume! This is good to know even if I have to move them home. I don't have the best lighting at home either so that's super beneficial information!