phal watering & fertilizer

[SamandAnne]

Hi all,

I've heard that it is best to fertilize with an orchid fertilizer in times when a phal is not in bloom. I've also heard to water carefully with the sink faucet, letting the water soak into the bark and even allowing it to soak for a few minutes at each watering.

I have a gallon jug with a gallon's worth of orchid fertilizer mixed in. What in your experience is the best way to water a phal with fertilizer?

I also notice that when I use clear pots and only water when the lower roots have turned white, I'm losing the upper/aerial roots to drying out. Any suggestions for the future on this? I decided it was better to let them dry out than rot the rest, but is there a way to keep both top exposed roots and lower roots happy?

Thanks!

[RosieC]

If I'm fertilising I fill an outer pot (no holes) with water and dunk the inner pot in (right up to the top).

I leave it there between 15min and a couple of hours. I wouldn't advise more than about 15min to 30min though... I just keep forgetting them

Once they have soaked take them out and make sure they drain thoroughly. Make sure they are not left standing in any of the water which carries on dripping for a while.

When I am not fertilising I usually run water through from the top and let it run through and out the bottom.

If the arial roots and surface roots are drying out try spraying those from a spray bottle. I do that, just enough for them to turn green, a couple of times between waterings. Make sure you don't leave water in the crown and you should be fine.

[jkofferdahl]

I follow the adage "fertilize weekly, weakly." In doing so, I mix the fertilizer to about 1/4 of the label recommendation and use it about every week or so, regardless of where in the growth and bloom process my Phals are. I've not had any problems doing this while the Phals are in bloom.

Typically I water thoroughly from the tap, allowing the potting medium to be thoroughly soaked. Always water early in the day, too, and don't let any water sit in the plant's crown. Then I allow the plant to thoroughly drain. A day or so later, while the medium is still nice and moist, I slowly, gently pour the fertilizer into the medium.

[redperphexion]

Is there an advantage to fertilizing when it's still moist?

[jkofferdahl]

The material and plants can better absorb the nutrients while damp.

[RosieC]

Personally I always fertilise WITH the watering water. I think that's how the fertiliser I use is designed to work though and it's probably different with other fertilisers.

When I'm fertilising I water by dunking the pots. When I'm not fertilising I water by running water through the pot.

If your fertiliser is designed for use like John's though it does not really matter how you water.

[BikerDoc5968]

Aerial roots can be misted or if the humidity is high enough will do just fine. As for watering: I don't subscribe to the method suggested by Rosie, i.e., dipping all the pots one by one into the same water source because this can possibly spread disease and/or pests such as snails or larva. I water with fertilizer as per the package recommendations and I do it every time I water EXCEPT periodically I do a "washout" with plain water to help reduce some of the mineral buildup. This is especially true with my paphs. I do change the type of food I use depending on time of the year. Currently, I am using a lower nitrogen mix for my phals. I feed them with or without spikes. Of course the other note is that, if an orchid has a defined "rest period", then one would have to adjust to that requirment.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

I don't subscribe to the method suggested by Rosie, i.e., dipping all the pots one by one into the same water source because this can possibly spread disease and/or pests such as snails or larva.

Now Doc, I didn't say 'into the same water source'. You're putting words in my mouth.

But I didn't make it clear I didn't mean that either, and you make a very good point. It's a bad idea.

I mix up a gallon or so at a time then fill each orchid's outer decorative pot with water (right to the brim).

Once they have soaked long enough I poor out the water. All of the outer pots have some means of holding the inner pot away from the drainage water. Most have a bulge in the bottom, some have stones in the bottom, some have a ridge close to the bottom that the inner pot sits on. After a few hours I go round and empty any further drainage water.

Each orchid has it's own outer pot and I make sure they don't get mixed up. If I DO change pots I wash it in bleach before the transfer.

This method works for my small number of orchids. I will find how it works as I get more and more (which I will of course do )

[SamandAnne]

Thank you for everyone's responses! This was really helpful. I'm starting to mist the aerial roots between waterings, which is working out great. I might try a thin layer of moss on top for the aerial roots...though since I had a phal die in moss I will probably be cautious with it!

My next watering I'll try using the mix-in-water fertilizer I have and put the inner pots in a larger pot to soak in, then pour out the water after each orchid. I'll keep in mind to water just with plain water every once in awhile to flush out any salts. The packaging suggests fertilizing every time, and it seems like many of you here have had success with that, too, so I think that's the route I should take.

I think that summarizes the recommendations? Thank you everyone! I feel better about watering now...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Fertilizing "weekly weakly" works fine.

I fertilize all my orchids when they in bloom and out of bloom. I've seen no problems with fertilizing while in bloom.

If you're roots are drying out on top, add a thin layer of moss on top as dressing. Thin is only as thick as one strand of moss. There's not need to go overboard.