New growth - Orchid Board

sapphireeyes27 · #1 08-24-2007, 11:13 PM

Hi all!

I was wondering how you guys got your orchids to produce new growth.

Over a month ago, my one phalaenopsis's flower spike died and I cut it back and then repotted it in fir back, perlite, and charcol. The thing is, it hasn't done a thing since it finished flowering. I don't need it to reflower, but I want to know that it's healthy. If it's not doing anything it would seem to me that it's not really happy. It gets enough light (I think.... the leaves seem to be a good color), I water it about once a week (a little less sometimes) and fertilize it weekly, weakly along with the watering. I also keep the humidity up with water and pebbles (the pot is never directly in the water), and have a light fan on at all times for air circulation. I am in Jersey, so the humidity is already pretty high and the temperature stays between 70 and 80 for the most part.

I also have another phal that I got about a month ago from e-bay and she hasn't done anything at all either! Like I said, I don't need a flower spike, but some new roots or new leaves would be really nice. I just want my plants to tell me that I'm treating them well enough.

Do you guys do anything to encourage growth or am I really just at their mercy?

You guys always talk about new growth, be it leaves or roots or whatever.... I just with I could get mine to do the same!!

Thanks for the help and suggestions!

Rachel

Team Ferret · #2 08-25-2007, 01:17 AM

OOH, I see you have a few Phal. Naples Nights, those are very pretty.

I wish I had an answer for you, but I am doing the wait-n-worry bit myself. I think waiting is necessary, but worry is optional.

Dave

starwhiz · #3 08-25-2007, 01:36 AM

I still consider myself a newbie. One of the first thing I learned is to be patient. That means wait, observe your plant, do something else and wait again. Also I learned that fertilizer contents help the plant to grow. The numbers that you see on the fertilizer label such as
20 10 20 represents, Nitrogen (for healthy leaves), Phosphate (for pretty flower), Potassium (for healthy root system). I think if you try to search the forum, there are probably lots of related helpful information. Good luck! and have fun with your orchids.

Lagoon · #4 08-25-2007, 08:41 AM

Rachel,

These are the 2 phals that just finished blooming, right?
If so they could be resting. I have found some of my phals to relax for up to 2 months before any new grows occurs. Also some phals do grow slower then others.
Phals will also slow down becuz the media is stale and repotting is needed.

Other then that .... More light will increase growth rates for sure. Since your unsure on how much lighting these 'chids are actually getting, I would add a couple of 42 watt CFL.

sapphireeyes27 · #5 08-25-2007, 08:44 AM

Yeah.... I know that patience is huge with orchids. I just also know that everybody told me that the phal would rest for about two weeks and then I would see new growth. Now it's been over a month, and I'm still not seeing anything.

You may be right about the fertilizer. I use "Shultz orchid food" at the moment. I know that most have suggested a 20-20-20 fertilizer. I guess I'll really have to just go find it online. I need some more clear plastic pots anyway.

Maybe the phals just aren't happy with the food I'm using! I'll go look back at old posts and find where I can get the best orchid food.

Rachel

sapphireeyes27 · #6 08-25-2007, 08:50 AM

Gloria,... thanks! I have been thinking of building a "orchiardium?" Is that what is it called? I have a large wall in my living room where there is nothing and I think that then I would be able to provide the perfect conditions for the girls and would be able to display them where everybody would see them every day. My husband and I do not have any kids, so it is lavish the attention on the dog or on the plants! ;-)

Or, could I just set up lights near my phals that are already just hanging out in the windowsill? I have five at the moment and they are just sitting on my desk and on a shelf in front of my dining room window. I could put the lights where the orchids are sitting now. But would I put on the lights even during the day? Or, would I just put the lights on after the daylight?

The mechanics of all this stuff are pretty tricky!

What would be best?

Rachel

Lagoon · #7 08-25-2007, 09:07 AM

Yes Rachel, that should be wonderful, Let us know when you get it all set up - or even before

The dim winter days are comming and many of us need to add extra lighting for our orchids, it's very commen.
I use growshelves, I find that works best for me. A combo of shop lights and sprial light (CFL) You can clamp-ons then add the CFL's if you like.
Do you works best for you, But I do feel you need to add more lighting.
Oh yes I agree ... it's alot to think about when you first make to move into growing orchids, but you'll get the hang of it - YOU WILL.
Once that happeneds, you will see like many others, It's so worth it. Don't get overwelmed.
We're all here to help you ... just ask

Opps - I forgot to add, When you get up the lights go on, 12 to 14 hrs daily of light is good.

gmdiaz · #8 08-25-2007, 11:58 AM

Hiya,

Here's the lighting scheduling that I am using for my orchidarium:

Timer Setting by Season:
Nov-Jan 16 hrs/day
Feb-June 18 hrs/day
July-Aug 16 hrs/day
Sept-Oct 12 hrs/day

cupcake · #9 08-25-2007, 03:03 PM

Don't be greedy! Often you have to wait a year for repeat flowers ! I have a phal which is still thinking about flowering after 3 years! Judi

Ross · #10 08-25-2007, 03:25 PM

Phal growers here have said repeatedly that you want to lower temps for a month or two at night to induce flowers. As for growth, I'm stumped, cause mine just grow! Now having said that, I always use MSU mix at 125ppm Nitrogen at every watering. I don't subscribe any longer to the water weakly weekly (whatever that means) or blast the plant with high doese of nitrogen in growth followed with something else when blooming. All that regime failed for me. I now stick with the same stuff all the time. Works for me.