accelerate Phal schilleriana growth?

[jsia5929]

Hi guys, I have always loved viewing this forum ever since I was a young teenager, and now I have the time and disposable income to expand my orchid collection.

My sister bought me a Phalaenopsis schilleriana 3 years ago, and it has stayed the same size ever since I received it. It sits in an east-facing window and receives 3-4 hours of direct sunlight and the leaves have really great spotting and a robust root system. I began watering it with 1/4 tsp/gal kelpmax along with 1/2 the recommended dosage of the MSU RO fertilizer, and am hoping it'll grow larger leaves.

Am I doing the right thing? It seems that this plant originally had a much larger leaf span and has grown consistently about 75% the size of the newest leaf it had when I received it. I am wondering if light conditions are affecting. Also, would cutting the next inflorescence allow it to grow bigger/spend more energy growing larger? This forum is a god-send and I hope this is a good first post

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Phals are low light plants. They don't ever need sun shining on their leaves, and it's not a good idea.. Leaves will be smaller in high light. Phals flower better in lower light. Excessive light could explain smaller leaves on your plant.

KelpMax promotes root growth. It has no effect on leaves.
People use it at most once a month, if they need it. Read the bottle for the proper dilution.

I grow orchids for flowers. I wouldn't cut an inflorescence.

[Ray]

Smaller successive leaves indicates a shortcoming in the culture.

I agree with ES that too much light can be an issue with phalaenopsis.

KelpMax stimulates plant growth, not just roots, but the root growth is what one sees most clearly. It should be used at 1 tablespoon per gallon, once a month. At the dilution you’re applying it, it’s probably not doing anything. I have used it as often as every two weeks to “kick start” new plants, but don’t recommend that as a routine regimen.

Many of the stimulants in the product have “trigger” concentrations. Think of it like flipping a light switch: not enough pressure and nothing happens, the right pressure turns on the light, and applying more pressure adds nothing, and certainly doesn’t make the light glow brighter.

I don’t know what “half of the recommended strength” of MSURO is, but how much you use should be connected to how often you apply it. I think 1/2 teaspoon/gallon is the upper limit I’d recommend for feeding every week to ten days. More isn’t going to be better.