Roots of Spectabile

[HiOrcDen]

I am trying to get a lot of repotting done these few days.

With my spectacle, I am not sure if some of the roots are dead or not. There are black sheaths with space within, around the thread inside.

The sheaths are kind of crepe-y, a bit crisp. I am not sure if they're dead or alive!

Also, if the roots are a bit diminished, I am wondering if directing an air root into the medium is an option?

[Roberta]

Den. spectabile? (When you give a plant name, best if you the whole thing). Remember, a root adapts to its environment. So if you put an air root in the medium, it will eventually die. My suggestion is to just repot, don't cut anything because you need those roots (even if not great) to anchor the plant firmly, and also, less-than-good roots can still hydrate the plant. Kelpak after repotting will help stimulate new roots in the new medium.

[HiOrcDen]

Sorry, yes Dendrobium... thank you!

So as far as Kelpak, should it definitely be the specific brand? Are there any other brands which are as good? I ask because I prefer Amazon for quick delivery, and they do not seem to have Kelpak.

[Roberta]

Ray is distributor of Kelpak. Delivery is quick, shipping is free to US addresses. Ray can provide the details.

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Ray is distributor of Kelpak. Delivery is quick, shipping is free to US addresses. Ray can provide the details.

Okay, thank you! So Ray told me about Kelpak, it sounded familiar, plus what other supplements might be considered essential. My eyes kinda glazed over because they sounded expensive lol

Now I see that Kelpak is not expensive. So perhaps you, Roberta, might be kind enough to suggest anything else that might be essential to add to the orchids regimen? Do you use the Kelpak and other 'supplements' (if that's the correct term) on a regular schedule, added with fertilizer?

I also wanted to ask, is MSU the best orchid fertilizer, better than Miracle Gro Orchid Food (now Miracid I believe)? I ask because the Miracle Gro is a dollar or 2 per year, while MSU seems to be about the same cost, only per month. Though this is a reasonable expense for me, if MSU is more effective than Miracle Gro!

I will be sure to message Ray to remind me of his suggestions as well, and order when I've got the funds! If you are reading this, Ray, would you please remind me those supplements which you considered highly effective or even essential? I am not sure which thread you told me in...

:Thanx:

[Roberta]

I started using MSU when I got my RO system, since it is designed for pure water. (Most plants get watered with city water, but I make up just one batch of fertilizer for everything.) Before that, I used either GroMOre 20-20-20 or miracid. These are designed for hard water, have more phosphorus as phosphoric acid (which still doesn't do much) I recall that those hard-water formulas tend to get pretty acidic in pure water.
As far as supplements, I do Kelpak once a month, and the only other thing I add is 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of the cheapest vodka I can find. I have found enough references that suggest that a boost of soluble carbs is beneficial (some people use molasses in their vegetable gardens for the same purpose) to do it, can't do any harm at any rate. I don't know whether it really does anything, plants seem to enjoy their little apertif. Typically, I fertilize about once every 2 weeks... VERY little.

[DirtyCoconuts]

i take that approach that if i am watering then it is the same stuff- rain water, one cap of my plant probiotic (basically quantum total and the one before that in a fermenter that i add molassass and water to yearly) one cap of kelpmax, one scoop of rays fert pellets.

in a 2 gallon sprayer. i spray about 1/4 of my plants each time i fill it and so each plant gets it once or twice a month