Need help with my lady slipper

[sii]

Hey Ray,
Yes definitely lady slipper. I bought this because I’ve never had one. I have lots of phals! 🤣. I’ve sent a pic of the natural fertilizer (seaweed) and how I’ve potted it. Should my pot be smaller? Now that you mention watering, I water all my orchids once a week, sometimes more because it’s summer and warm in this room. My phals are ok. Maybe this one needs more?
Please let me know if I should switch to the Shultz. I can look into Kelpmax. Maybe amazon? I also have KLN and Revive at home. To be honest, I’m not great when it comes to fertilizers. 🙄🙄
Sorry, don't know why those pics are sideways?
Thanks

[JScott]

Originally Posted by sii

Hey Ray,
Yes definitely lady slipper. I bought this because I’ve never had one. I have lots of phals! 🤣. I’ve sent a pic of the natural fertilizer and how I’ve potted it. Should my pot be smaller? Now that you mention watering, I water all my orchids once a week, sometimes more because it’s summer and warm in this room. My phals are ok. Maybe this one needs more?
Please let me know if I should switch to the Shultz. I can look into Kelpmax. Maybe amazon? I also have KLN and Revive at home. To be honest, I’m not great when it comes to fertilizers. 🙄🙄
Sorry, don't know why those pics are sideways?
Thanks

You can only get KelpMax at Ray's store:
KelpMax Superior Plant Growth Stimulant – First Rays LLC

But definitely get it. It's worth it. It's great for helping sick plants, but it is also great for applying to healthy plants once a month. It will make your plants more robust. I love that stuff. It's like magic, and I don't even believe in magic. KelpMax is not a fertilizer, so use it in addition to your regular fertilizer.

[sii]

Originally Posted by JScott

You can only get KelpMax at Ray's store:
KelpMax Superior Plant Growth Stimulant – First Rays LLC

But definitely get it. It's worth it. It's great for helping sick plants, but it is also great for applying to healthy plants once a month. It will make your plants more robust. I love that stuff. It's like magic, and I don't even believe in magic. KelpMax is not a fertilizer, so use it in addition to your regular fertilizer.

That's good to know! I'm open to that. Will wait for Ray's response. I would need a 'prescription' on how and when to use any additives. I've purchased different bottles in the past because someone recommended it, used it for that specific plant and then never again.

---------- Post added at 01:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------

Originally Posted by monivik

Well, yeah it's hard to see from the picture what type of orchid it is. It does indeed not have many roots left.

But are the roots hairy? If they're hairy then it's a Paphiopedilum (Lady Slipper).

Well, I also consider myself a beginner even though I have had a Paph for many years. Recently I went to an orchid nursery and asked their advice on how to repot it. They just said bark chips and a little bit of spaghnum moss, not too much of that. They said it's too cool for their roots and I live in a colder climate.

I hardly ever fertilize mine, I just give it tap water (I live in the Netherlands and we have soft water here), and mine has grown and grown and was so huge I could divide it into 4 pots. But I also hear some people mention that they add crushed sea-shells or egg shells in to the mix.

No, the roots don't appear hairy, but definately a lady slipper. Fell in love with it when I saw it!

Even though I've had orchids for 10 years, I still consider myself a beginner. Fertilizing is where I run into trouble. But lucky you if you don't have to. :-)

[JScott]

Originally Posted by sii

That's good to know! I'm open to that. Will wait for Ray's response. I would need a 'prescription' on how and when to use any additives. I've purchased different bottles in the past because someone recommended it, used it for that specific plant and then never again.[COLOR="Silver"]

I use one tablespoon of KelpMax per gallon of water once a month for healthy plants. I think Ray will tell you the same, but he invented it, and he's the expert, so by all means wait for him to confirm how you should use it.

---------- Post added at 01:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

Originally Posted by sii

Even though I've had orchids for 10 years, I still consider myself a beginner. Fertilizing is where I run into trouble. But lucky you if you don't have to. :-)

As far as fertilizer, use a weak solution. It's important not to overdo it. I use a time release formulation. But when I used to use liquid, I used 1/4 teaspoon per gallon about every other week. I think with fertilizer, it's more important that you do it at all than it is exactly which fertilizer you use. Just don't use too much.