Stanhopea oculata how much Fertilizer?
 

Hello from Europe,

In Beginning of May, I bought a Stanhopea oculata.

I left it outside with Temperatures from 6°C to 33°C(42,8°F-91,4°F)

Now, 9 new shoots are growing, and from them, 3-4 flowering stems/ spikes/ flowering shoots(sorry, do not know the exact word for Blütentrieb=a new stem that brings flowers).

I have a HANNA DiST3 conductivity tester

And my maximum fertilizer solution is about 500-550µS

The Roots are after 3 hours of Diving alive and green.

What is the maximum µS conductance( Aqua destillated) + Fertilizer that is good for Stanhopia.

Second QUestion.

WHat do you prefer:

Low amounts of Fertilzier mixed in Rain water always watering with it,
or fertilizing only 1x/two Weeks?

I would prefer fertilizing by all days watering, because in the tropic forest, always small amounts of fertilizer reach the roots, and i think, that is near the original.





Thank you for Help and:

SORRY for my english. In 2007 i was 4 Months in Scottland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Orchid house:biggrin:. In 2007, my english was near perfect. Now, i only speak german, and have other problems to solve, so my english is very, very bad!

Hallo Sebastian.
I understand that your S. oculata has produced 9 new shoots, 4 of which you anticipate to be flower spikes.
Attention :: when a shoot grows downward, it does not necessarily mean that it must be a flower spike.
Leaf shoots also may grow downward ...

(a) Assure yourself that there are indeed flower spikes on your plant.
(b) If indeed so, use fertiliser 10-50-10 diluted in plain rainwater for daily watering (150 ppm per day).
Water in the morning. Use over-head spray - not dipping.
Your fertiliser should also contain all required micro nutrients.

(c) Give your plant 'dappled light', and direct morning sun until 10 o'clock, but avoid leaf-burn.

Best Regards, MANFRED.
Note :: Do not use organic fertiliser.
......... When plain rainwater is being used, 'micro-Siemens' readings are always within the 'okay' range.
......... Further, also on Orchid Board, see earlier thread titled "AmandaTom, Stanhopea platyceras Bud Drop".