Best way to get phal's to grow good roots?

[en3rmax]

Hi again OB,

My collection of phal's are all doing great, i repotted one this time last year and over the summer it grew some impressive aerial roots over time. my orchids are potted in douglas fir, perlite and foam and i use orchid focus bloom feed all brought from and recommended my Peter White orchids, he said best to use the bloom ferterlizer as my phal has not spiked.

What i would like to know is what are the secrets for quick really healthy root growth? as this makes a srong plant.

There is a orchid focus ferterlizer grow for shoots and leaves, would that boost the roots? or is K-L-N any good?

If a family member brings a bad rooted phal to me for rescue i'd like to give the roots the best help i can.

Thanku very much OB

[camille1585]

The secret to good roots is good culture.

For a plant with poor roots though you can help things along by using some kln if you want, and also keeping the pot on a seedling heat mat. The warmer root zone should stimulate roots.

It's probably better to use a balanced fert instead of that bloom 'booster'. Balanced fertilizers (more N) help promote good growth.

[RosieC]

As Camille says, there is not really a 'secret' more just good culture.

However root growth is higher in warmer weather and as such both heat mats and watering with fractionally warm water can help. (I found one of mine took off when I started using water just gently warm to my hand).

I've also used KLN which Peter White supplied but the plant I was trying to save had actually started putting out roots a couple of weeks before (when I started the warm water) so I can't be sure how effective it is.

Note that KLN is not a fertiliser, it contains a rooting hormone.

[en3rmax]

I've just spoke to Peter White on the phone... well i would think it was him :-) he recommends using Dyna-Gro Orchid-Pro 7-8-6 and try using rain water as i've been using tap water.

Hi RosieC, i saw pics some time back of you repotting a phal and the roots were amazing!! also how do you warm your water?

Peter White said all phal roots tend to be different depending on the plant.

[RosieC]

I think Peter is right about it depending on the plant. That one you saw is rather a monster of a plant and has masses of leaves, masses of roots and will flower multiple times a year while still growing leaves and roots. I've not done anything special with it that I know of.

I use tap water, so I just run the mixer tap till the watering can feels the right temperature. I don't heat the rainwater but I only use that for some of the more sensetive genuses which also happen to be cool growers.