Osmocote for my recovering Phal?

[whitetshirtguy]

Hello guys,

I have a Phal that I bought about 5 days ago and just repotted because the media was really decomposed and it's roots are pretty damaged.
Here's more info and pictures on the roots and the repotting:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...my-phal-4.html

The guy at the store sold me some osmocote along with the Phal, and told me to use about 5 of the little yellow balls every 2 months. He also sprinkled a little of it in front of me when I bought it.
Now I have repotted the plant, so all of the osmocote is gone along with the old media.

My question is, should I sprinkle some more osmocote on the Phal now? Will it be good for it's recovery? Or should I just leave it alone?


Thanks in advance,

W.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

bump

[whitetshirtguy]

Another bump.

[Zoi2]

I've never used osmcote on anything but this article is pretty interesting.
Food for the Orchids « Agriculture Business Week
Joann

[littlefrog]

If it were me, I'd wait a few weeks to a month before adding any additional fertilizer. Don't know what brand of orchid mix you are using, some have fertilizer already in them. If you made your own you know better, of course.

I have not used osmocote. There are lots of different formulations and release times, I'd hate to even guess. What I have been using is Nutricote (20-20-20 + minors) that has a 270 day release. I've been giving out samples at shows and selling it in small bags (had to buy 50 pounds...). For that particular formulation, I've been recommending a couple teaspoons per 6" pot, and that people throw it on the first day of spring and forget about it the rest of the year. Yes, that isn't quite optimal, but it is better than just forgetting about fertilizing for 365 days a year which is what most people do.

Rob

[Ray]

I agree with Rob. Not now.

A plant with no roots cannot take up nutrition anyway, and a clean, pure medium is more inviting to them than is one laden with mineral salts.

[whitetshirtguy]

Ok, then I'll wait a month before using it. Thanks for your help, guys.