I just purchased a phalaenopsis schilleriana with 2 keikis. Help!

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Many of the statements others here have questioned leads me to ask one question: Where have you been getting cultural information from? There is so much misinformation on the internet. Even so-called "trusted sources" are filled with it. I have found this board to be filled with seasoned growers who will dispell the myths and give solid cultural info.

[msarro]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Many of the statements others here have questioned leads me to ask one question: Where have you been getting cultural information from? There is so much misinformation on the internet. Even so-called "trusted sources" are filled with it. I have found this board to be filled with seasoned growers who will dispell the myths and give solid cultural info.

Most of it is coming from this board and OrchidForum, MissOrchidGirl on youtube, and /r/orchids on reddit.

MissOrchidGirl for example has two videos where keikis are involved in health issues with the mother plant.

The statement about winter fertilizer is because the MSU fertilizer lists two different concentrations for spring/summer vs fall/winter.

I think you're right, there is misinformation which is why I'm trying to learn.

[Shadeflower]

msarro, as long as you know how to grow plants hydroponically you will be able to grow orchids.

They require the same care just any nutrients you would feed a mature hydroponic plant you feed 10x less for the orchids. The aim with orchids is to have a humid, airy substrate. So any hydroponic media works well as they need to be just as airy to work

Orchids grow hydroponically. Hydroponics is growing plants in anythng but soil, bark is included in hydroponic growing although bark arguably does degrade and shares some soil properties.

Some people reckon missorchidgirl has no idea what she talks about - I reckon she knows more than most.

Some will argue she spreads misinformation. I would argue she seeks out the truth instead of just accepting what others have been doing for 50 years has been correct.

I wouldn't say she has ever given me advice that I thought was detrimental - the only exception is her liberal use of hydrogen peroxide on roots. I use HP too but not at full strength like she recommends which can damage roots.

That said, I know the kind of keiki video's where the mother is dying. A dying mother can often trigger keiki's to be formed you see!
But it is not a requirment and keiki's will not kill the mother. If he mother is be dying from losing its roots to a fungal infection and makes some keikis, the mother plant will carry on rotting.

You can ignore that scenario as everything is healthy here.

I also think this is 3 plants in one pot however, I honestly do not think these are keiki's at all. For starters they are all the same size/age.

Most people reduce/ stop fertilzing in winter in response to an orchid slowing down growth, similar to after receiving an orchid and it beeing stressed initially, less nutrients are needed than a summer dose in some cases but generally just have one dose or no dose is enough, no need to have a seperte winter and summer rate but that is everyone's individual preference.

Some orchids actually need more nutrients in winter, some undergo a rest and need less.

There is no universal right way to fertilize.

There is also much debate on which fertilizer ratio is correct, the bottom line is most of them work equally as well so what some consider misinformation I consider just different approaches to growing orchids..