Phalaenopsis Orchid- Great leaves/ Poor Roots

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Sort of like training dogs. Everyone who has dogs has an opinion on how to train them. One has to look at methods that suit both the individual training and the particular dog being trained. That's a start, the picking and choosing what fits your style and environment, for your particular orchid's requirements.

Let me say first that I have the deepest respect for those members who have years of experience and study of this huge topic that is orchid culture.
That said, I am also an audio lover/collector, and while I don't classify myself an 'audiophile', I have about 40 yrs experience in the subject.
When I read posts by people arguing about the nuances of fertilizer, i.e., how much when and what type, it reminds me of the arguments in the audio forums over speaker wire. Some folks swear up and down they can hear the difference between one type of wire and another. Most of those folks spend hundreds, even thousands, on wire whose function is to transmit electrical signal from point A to point B. I use lamp cord at $0.29/ft. It gets the signal there as well as anything else.
My point is: I am a 'by the seat of my pants' orchid grower. I have some experience, though not nearly as much as many of the senior members here. I watch my plants for growth and issues, and respond accordingly. I glean a little info about what I'm seeing from what I read here, but I don't make a fuss over little things like 'should I use a 10-10-10 or a 14-14-14?' Rain water (which I collect) or tap. I simply find out what I can and go with whatever feels right at the time. And my orchids grow.
Guys, (and I know I'm new here and don't have any say) all this tech talk just confuses the new orchid lover, and could send some of them running for the hills, screaming!! I just stick to the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid!
OK, I'll shut up and let you hammer away at me. Hope I didn't ruffle too many feather. Wasn't my intention.
__________________

[WaterWitchin]

Gracias, Dusty Ol' Man for your thoughts. It doesn't take years of doing anything to be able to join in a conversation. My point, exactamente. Conversations that turn into technical discussion when posting on a Beginner thread, with two Phaleonopsis, and someone who obviously is a beginning orchid grower... well, I think that conversation should be set aside to an "advanced" section, then have at it.

I try... try... to not get involved too much unless things get nasty or really out of hand. Otherwise, I end up looking like nasty-Moderator and I'm sure some folks think MYOB. I say try, because I can't always hold my tongue as a plain old individual. It's nice to have someone, especially one who's not been here long, to voice that type of opinion.

I am also of the KISS culture, regardless of the venue. LOL... an old in-law has been installing car stereos for a long time. Regular ones, then the audiophiles who are competitors and shows. The conversation around them can get quite jaw-dropping.

[New2Orchids2020]

Dear WaterWitchin,

Thank you for responding. I think I may create a journal vlog or blog of some sort to keep track of what is going on with my orchids and what I'm learning.

P.S. Funny you should mention dogs and trainers. We met a lady yesterday with a service dog that she's training. She said hiring a professional, vetted dog trainer can be VERY expensive 5, 10 20 even 30 thousand dollars!

---------- Post added at 11:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Sort of like training dogs. Everyone who has dogs has an opinion on how to train them. One has to look at methods that suit both the individual training and the particular dog being trained. That's a start, the picking and choosing what fits your style and environment, for your particular orchid's requirements.

Let me say first that I have the deepest respect for those members who have years of experience and study of this huge topic that is orchid culture.
That said, I am also an audio lover/collector, and while I don't classify myself an 'audiophile', I have about 40 yrs experience in the subject.
When I read posts by people arguing about the nuances of fertilizer, i.e., how much when and what type, it reminds me of the arguments in the audio forums over speaker wire. Some folks swear up and down they can hear the difference between one type of wire and another. Most of those folks spend hundreds, even thousands, on wire whose function is to transmit electrical signal from point A to point B. I use lamp cord at $0.29/ft. It gets the signal there as well as anything else.
My point is: I am a 'by the seat of my pants' orchid grower. I have some experience, though not nearly as much as many of the senior members here. I watch my plants for growth and issues, and respond accordingly. I glean a little info about what I'm seeing from what I read here, but I don't make a fuss over little things like 'should I use a 10-10-10 or a 14-14-14?' Rain water (which I collect) or tap. I simply find out what I can and go with whatever feels right at the time. And my orchids grow.
Guys, (and I know I'm new here and don't have any say) all this tech talk just confuses the new orchid lover, and could send some of them running for the hills, screaming!! I just stick to the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid!
OK, I'll shut up and let you hammer away at me. Hope I didn't ruffle too many feather. Wasn't my intention.
__________________

Dear Dusty Ol' Man,

Thank you for responding and Happy New Year! First let me say that your name made me smile. I also love the K.I.S.S. method...although I'm a bit of a softy so I downgrade mine to K.I.S.

:-D

You are correct the math and measurements and everything can be a bit fastidious and stressful.

Thank you for your post...I believe it took some of the bite out of the discussion overall. Honestly I am just happy to have fellow orchid lovers to talk to about orchids and ask questions. I sent my sister a text the other day, excited about the new leaf and the root growth and she just didn't get what all the excitement was about. She just didn't get it.

Thank you for making me smile. Have a wonderful blessed day!

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Sort of like training dogs. Everyone who has dogs has an opinion on how to train them. One has to look at methods that suit both the individual training and the particular dog being trained. That's a start, the picking and choosing what fits your style and environment, for your particular orchid's requirements.

Let me say first that I have the deepest respect for those members who have years of experience and study of this huge topic that is orchid culture.
That said, I am also an audio lover/collector, and while I don't classify myself an 'audiophile', I have about 40 yrs experience in the subject.
When I read posts by people arguing about the nuances of fertilizer, i.e., how much when and what type, it reminds me of the arguments in the audio forums over speaker wire. Some folks swear up and down they can hear the difference between one type of wire and another. Most of those folks spend hundreds, even thousands, on wire whose function is to transmit electrical signal from point A to point B. I use lamp cord at $0.29/ft. It gets the signal there as well as anything else.
My point is: I am a 'by the seat of my pants' orchid grower. I have some experience, though not nearly as much as many of the senior members here. I watch my plants for growth and issues, and respond accordingly. I glean a little info about what I'm seeing from what I read here, but I don't make a fuss over little things like 'should I use a 10-10-10 or a 14-14-14?' Rain water (which I collect) or tap. I simply find out what I can and go with whatever feels right at the time. And my orchids grow.
Guys, (and I know I'm new here and don't have any say) all this tech talk just confuses the new orchid lover, and could send some of them running for the hills, screaming!! I just stick to the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid!
OK, I'll shut up and let you hammer away at me. Hope I didn't ruffle too many feather. Wasn't my intention.
__________________

My mom used to pour water straight into the crown of her orchids and they continued to grow and bloom for years. She still swears by it to this day.

[New2Orchids2020]

Originally Posted by spinrah

My mom used to pour water straight into the crown of her orchids and they continued to grow and bloom for years. She still swears by it to this day.

[WaterWitchin]

Whoah! Bold move! I'm not super careful about getting water in a phal's crown, but I have pretty good ventilation (fans) running. Good for her! But I think that's one of those Kids! Don't try this at home! moves.

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Whoah! Bold move! I'm not super careful about getting water in a phal's crown, but I have pretty good ventilation (fans) running. Good for her! But I think that's one of those Kids! Don't try this at home! moves.

Oh I’ve expressed my disagreement with her methods many times but she is set in her ways! And she also doesn’t Google or use YouTube.

[WaterWitchin]

Hey, if it works for her more power to her! Not being on social media isn’t always a bad thing.