How long in Sheath? - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Jkelee · #11 05-08-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorothy

What kind of fertilizer are you using as high nitrogen will actually impede blooming.

Thanks Dorothy! Are you saying I should right now be using the Fert with Nitrogen??

quiltergal · #12 05-08-2008, 03:51 PM

I'm not Dorothy but I'll chime in. Yes you should be fertilizing with nitrogen since most plants are now entering their active growth cycle. The trick is to use the right concentration. Many of us here are shooting for 125 ppm N. Too high a concentration of N will prevent the plant from flowering. You may end up with lots more vegetatitve growth or Keikis instead of flowers. I've included a link to First Rays Orchids PPM calculator. Scroll down to the bottome and plug in the N number of your fert and 125ppm and it will calculate how much per gal of your fert you should be using.

Fertilizer PPM Calculator

Des · #13 05-08-2008, 04:28 PM

Jkelee,As long as the sheath stays green don't mess with it . Most of all don't try and feel if there are buds inside the sheath They are very fragile while in the sheath and are easily bruised. Rather take a bright torch or a light of some sort and shine it through the sheath. doing it this way you can easily see the buds and even count them . Once the sheath starts to turn yellow or black it may be time to take some drastic action ! I use the torch to see just where the buds are and taking a sharp scissors I cut the tip of the sheath open and peel it back and actually tear it off in some cases . Quite often , if you have had a really hot day, you will find that the buds have " cooked " inside the sheath. So that means no flowers till next year. Take a tip from me and watch your weather forecast. If your weatherman forecasts a hot dry day mist your plants to keep them cool or move them to a cooler area. Oh , and don't forget to send him a xmas card he is your catts best friend

Dorothy · #14 05-08-2008, 04:29 PM

Thanks Terri

Nitrogen is a major component in fertilizers ..
There is a 3 number combination on most fertilizers - it's called the product's grade and it represents
nitrogen(1st #), phorphous( 2nd #) and potassium (3rd #) or N-P-K.
Each is necessary in plant growth - this link to Ray's fertilizer page further explains this - Fertilizers & Plant Nutrition

Dorothy · #15 05-08-2008, 04:39 PM

Des - As you are in South Africa and JKelee in Florida .. are your weather conditions and temps that similar?

Des · #16 05-08-2008, 04:51 PM

Dorothy, we can have our warmest days of the year in autumn here 36c the other day! It plays merry h with my Catts that flower at this time of the year . The temp can then drop to 8c at night ideal conditions for fungus initiation . My lawn is sometimes covered in mushrooms in the morning !

Jkelee · #17 05-08-2008, 05:35 PM

Terri, Des, and Dorothy- THANK YOU ALL!!!
I will use all the websites and info you gave me and see what happens!!

thanks for all your time on this problem!

Dorothy · #18 05-08-2008, 05:43 PM

You are welcome

and

quiltergal · #19 05-08-2008, 09:00 PM

Keep us posted Jackie!

CoolPhrog · #20 05-08-2008, 09:11 PM

I know a horticulturist that actually splits the sheathes after a while so they don't "cook" and get air circulation. So far, it's been working for me...I could get my catts to the sheathe stage but then they would turn yellow and die off...my friend said that happens because they aren't aren't getting enough light (the catts not my friend)...so this year, I tried it...so far so good