Thank you for your magnificent replies!
I'm going to try a seaweed extract next Spring through Fall when root development starts again (KelpMax, Clean Kelp, etc.) I want the plant to focus on spiking and budding now, so going to forgo hormones that trigger root production for the moment. I like your Ca and Mg formulas - I will experiment with these. And I will get a pH tester to take a closer look at that, and treat water to get an optimum pH level (likely pH down). I only use Berkey filtered water with flouride filters (NYC water isn't as clean as most think, they add a lot of chlorine and other chemicals to it. And the plants hate flouride.) Going to get a light meter as well - I hear 1k foot candles is optimum for flower development (too much light can diminish flower growth.)
Based on my limited experiments, I think higher nitrogen is key for leaf, root & spike growth. Everytime I dosed the Miracle Grow with 24 nitrogen the leaves, roots & spikes took off (it is very noticeable.) The MSU pellet formula that I use has less nitrogen at 13 N. So that tells me the higher N in the Miracle Grow is making things happen (at least for leaves, roots and spikes.) I don't know if high N is as critical for budding and flowers. (Ray's website says it is.)
Now that I have spikes, I'm focusing on buds & flower production. Initially I thought higher Phosphorous levels in ferts would increase buds and flower production, but the research I have read says the plant can only absorb very small quantities of Phosphorous. So a high P dose may be wasted. I'm going to experiment on this to see real world observations by dosing 52 P mid week on 1/2 my collection.
I'm interested in the Orchid Focus Bloom primarily for the humic acid and fulvic acid -which aid in fert absorption (I think this is the product's biggest benefit.) I hear the formula also dissolves salt residue which is important for me bc I rarely flush. However, I think Orchid Focus Bloom's N level is too low at 11 nitrogen. I prefer 24 N.
Finally, I think it's better to feed Phals twice a week with very low doses of ferts, than once a week. They are not heavy feeders, but they require constant nutrients for maximum growth (I have observed this with my experiments.)
Will update as buds and flowers develop.
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