First time user: How to use indole-3-butyric acid on phalaenopsis orchids

[Ray]

Originally Posted by yomnaorchids

Thanks so much for the reply. Unfortunately, that product is not available in Egypt . They only have Indole-3-butyric acid 98% potassium salt so I think I will just have to guess and dilute it sequentially. What way do you recommend applying the solution to the orchids? Misting the stem?

I was using that product as a reference for the hormone concentration, not as a suggestion that you try to acquire it.

Many orchids are not particularly good at foliar uptake, due to the waxy cuticle layers on the leaves. The cutex is intended to slow water loss, so naturally slows uptake as well. Mature phalaenopsis have particularly thick layers.

If the plant has no roots, immerse it in the hormone solution for a few hours to give it time to take up the active chemicals. If it does have roots and you are trying to encourage more, simply water with it.

You have a 98% IBA product. Weighing is best, but as most powders have a roughly 1g/cc bulk density, if you add 5 milliliters of powder of a liter of water, you have - approximately - a 5000 ppm solution. 1 ml of that to a liter gives you a 5 ppm solution and you can dilute that further to reach the desired final concentration.