Fertilizer for a Paphio

[plumaleve]

I am now taking care of a small paphiopedilum and after repotting it and placing it in a good location and watering it properly, I feel it needs some food (fertilizer). Now an avid orchid grower would tell me to measure or sorts of factors (everything from the water minerals and salts content to pH, etc). You wouldn't by any chance have any info on these very delicate flowers. regarding fertilization and what levels would be adequate for it? It is a very young orchid. Has bloomed once, and it looks like it will sprout again. But I think it needs a lil push. Also, one of the leaves seems to be turning lighter than normal. Maybe too little water or too? Thank you for your help. I would like to see this beautiful orchid keep on blooming. Blessings to all of you.

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

I give these my standard fertiliser regime which is based on the recomendations of our member Ray. He has this calculator on his website to calculate the required fertiliser dosage from the Nitrogen content of the fertiliser.

I believe that if you use that, then any fairly balanced fertiliser will do the job. I use one intended for orchids but I don't believe it needs to be.

Here is the link.
Fertilizer Mixing Calculators

[WhiteRabbit]

Glad you found us!

I agree with Rosie's advice.

The yellowing leaf could be normal shedding of old foliage - can you post a pic?

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome!
What is the name of your paph?
Joann

[plumaleve]

Hi...thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I am traveling but will be back over the weekend. I will post a picture up. I am not sure which paphio it is, but I will look at the label. I know that it is a beautiful all green color. My mother was an orchid grower for 45 years, but I am afraid I didn't inherit her green thumb She did have some beautiful ones...from oncydium (sp?) to cattleyas and paphios and phaelenopsis...etc. I spent more time enjoying the scientific names and unfortunately less time on the care...but I hope to learn. They are by far my favorite flowers. Well, again...thank you and keep on growing these exquisite bloomers!

---------- Post added at 11:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 PM ----------

PS: Is there such a thing as over feeding? What happens if you do? Thanks

---------- Post added 02-09-2012 at 12:02 AM ---------- Previous post was 02-08-2012 at 11:54 PM ----------

Sorry...one more question (and perhaps an incredibility ignorant one ). I only have one plant. But I am noticing that oftentimes there is reference to mixing the fertilizer into one gallon of water. So how do you give this to one plant? How much to you give it? Obviously it is not the whole thing. Do you then keep the gallon of water until it used? Do you spritz it? Again, forgive the very naive questions And thank you once more

[RosieC]

LOL, the reason I bought my second and third orchid was because I couldn't mix the fertiliser into small enough quantities for just one orchid... the the answer is buy enough orchids to use all the water I now have 80+ so might have overdone it based on my original reason to get more

No seriously I scale down the proportions or mix it in an old soda bottle that takes about 1/2 gallon and I use a little scoop which is half a teaspoon (my particular fertiliser needs a teaspoon per gallon so I use 1/2 in 1/2 a gallon). I then just put the lid on and save any remaining fertiliser mix for the next watering.

It's usual to use a mix like that as your watering water rather than watering and fertilising separately.

In the old days you used to be advised to water first then fertilise, but that was using much higher concentrations of fertiliser which could burn the roots if they were dry. The modern idea is to fertilise much more weakly so you don't get that problem and the fertiliser calculator link I posted earlier will guide you to a strength that is fine to use on dry roots.

That really answers your other question, what happens if it's too strong. The answer is that it can burn the roots and damage them.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by plumaleve

[/COLOR]PS: Is there such a thing as over feeding? What happens if you do? Thanks[COLOR="Silver"]

Yes, it is possible to over fertilize. Fertilizers are mineral salts and orchids are sensitive to salt buildup in the root zone. What happens (I know this from personal experience) is that the plant will grow beautifully for a period of time and then suddenly die for no apparent reason. To prevent this 1) fertilize lightly, like Rosie said, 1/4 to 1/2 strength is often recommended. 2) Flush the medium once a month. Put the plant in the sink and run water through the mix until it's good and wet. Wait for 5 or 10 minutes and then run water through it again. 3) repot the orchid every one or two years. If there's sphagnum in your mix I would repot every year.

[plumaleve]

Thank you Rosie! I really appreciate the patience in your replies. I know what you mean about having only one plant. I still want to make sure I don't mess this one before moving on to next. I have been successful with dendrobiums and phalaenopsis. Will see. The plant said it's supposed to a jade slipper. But I think it is a maudiae, from the flower I saw. It is not blooming now, so I am not sure about taking a picture of it as is. I will post one up this weekend, because you might be able to tell me if it is looking healthy. I believe it only flowers with one at a time.
Anyway, thanks again for your responses. It is very useful and will try it out this weekend. Cheers

[plumaleve]

I hope it goes through. Please comment on it when you have a chance. Thank you

[aberardi]

can any one recommend a good balanced fertilizer with micro nutrients?