interested in hearing peoples responces

[mattryan]

and happy new year to one and all. I was reading up on orchids and came across this paragraph from a culture sheet on orchids and I am very interested in hearing from anyone who has tried this or if it would work:

"Conventional wisdom used to dictate a fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus until the buds began to form and then switch to high nitrogen fertilizer to get the most and largest blooms. Recent studies point to just using nitrogen-rich fertilizers throughout the process. While commerical or exhibition growers practise this, the hobbyist is better advised to use their normal fertilizer regimen if their phals are growing well."

Well I didn't know that you can or could change over to high nitrogen fert.(when growing a spike), also if you used high nitro. it would inhibit blooming. I am really interested to know if it does lead to bigger and better or just hype. Also can you use high nitro. fert. in winter, because I have a catt and some onc's and a slipper that are actively growing, but I've been giving them 20-20-20 afraid of getting leggy growths by changing to 30-10-10 as I was in spring and summer.

Thanks Cheryl

[tucker85]

I have never heard of using high nitrogen fertilizer once an orchid is in spike. Growers used to think that the high phosphorus 'bloom booster' fertilizers initiated blooming. But further studies indicate that it's the low nitrogen in bloom booster that can encourage some orchids to bloom. It makes sense to me that after an orchid has started to bloom you would no longer want to use bloom booster. I just read an article on phalaenopsis culture in a publication from the International Phalaenopsis Alliance. Here are a few highlights.

Increased light and lower daytime temperatures will result in more buds and multiple spikes (the article did not specify the temperature). But temperatures over 80 F will result in taller spikes with less flowers.

Using fertilizer or not using fertilizer after the flower spike reached 10" made no difference in flower count or size.

Giving the plant some nitrogen when it's blooming will help the blooms last longer.

[Merlyn]

There was a series of articles in the AOS magazine "Orchids" starting in January 2007 that said the same thing. It was a GREAT article "Growing the Best Phalaenopsis" with lots of good info !!!

[silken]

I have been reading in several places that after buds are apparent to increase the potassium in the fertilizer until after blooms are finished. Apparently the potassium promotes better and longer bloom time. Geesh there are as many different opinions on this topics as there are orchids!!

[Merlyn]

That's RIGHT, take your pick !!!

[billc]

Originally Posted by silken

Geesh there are as many different opinions on this topics as there are orchids!!

Ain't that the truth!!!

Bill

[mattryan]

Well thankyou all for your replies. I see we're all in da same boat here...just when you think you know what you're doing zing something new lol. Anyway my spiking ones are too far along now, I think though I might try this with 2 of them and see what happens for next year. I have 3 that are the same named phal, I'll give them the exact same conditions, except for the nitro and see what happens. I'll definetly keep everyone posted on the results! I do hope someone here has tried this and give us their results, it sounds interesting at the very least.

Cheryl

[Merlyn]

That even sounds scientific !!! Too bad there's so LITTLE scientific research done in the orchid world ! If there IS any it seems only bent toward enhancing the commercial vendors' profits !

Why did I just get the feeling that I was preaching to the choir ??

[CymPaphZygo]

Hi Everyone
I am new to this site and like many i read but generally do not comment.

I have been growing cut flower Cymbidiums commercially for nearly 40 years and yes we do use low nitrogen, higher phosphorous fertiliser to help with spike initiation and yes we do switch to a high nitrogen fertiliser when spikes begin to appear.
The result is bigger, thicker stems and much bigger flowers, the addition of Potassium helps stiffen the stems. And yes we do fertilise throughout Winter (Nitrogen), although plants absorb only a small amount they get quick kick start once Spring comes.
Winter time is also a good time to use a Seaweed fertiliser because the hormones in it give the roots a boost.

[ginnibug]

Well thanks! That's really good to know C.P.Z.