Phals inflorescence size?

[mattryan]

I am wondering if anyone has encountered this problem or if it is a culture problem on my part. It always seems with the phals that I am growing the inflorescence is no where near as big as it was when I purchased it. Now I understand I have no where near the optimum conditions as the original grower, but I have re-spiked some of these and the spikes on the second yr of re-spiking for me seem just as skinny. They must be acclaimated to my conditions by now. I have played with the temps more this yr and spiked 2 that I didn't expect to. My conditions 20-14-13 urea free fert all yr. by rays I have been giving 250 ppm. I have kept the temps below 25 celcuis. I don't understand how the spikes are still so skinny. Last year I waited 3 mos for 3 flowers . I don't have this problem with any of my oncs, my twinkle had 7 spikes and my degamora has 7 flowers on the way, which is a first bloom for my I'll post the pics. Thanks for any insight I am willing to try anything at this point.

Cheryl

[tucker85]

Does Ray recommend 250 ppm nitrogen? That seems like a lot of nitrogen. I use about half of that. That probably doesn't affect the spikes though. 1) Try to give a little more light. Either brighter light or a longer photo period 2) Consider using a calcium/magnesium supplement. I use one called Magical, every two weeks (by itself, not mixed with fertilizer) and all my orchids, but especially my phals, seem to do well with it.

[mattryan]

Thanks for the reply trucker. I water then next time I fert then next water so I am not giving that much so it works out 250 ppm/mo. Summer mos. 2x maybe 3x fert per mo. 1x winter ( sorry I am using the calculator at rays). I use epsom for mag and eggshells for cal...I know not very good, but there's not alot up here in canada unless you import. I will try upping the light . I have read everything that I can find including keeping temps low to get a larger spike. These are plants that have over 8 leaves and lots of roots so I'm not talking about small plants. Should I be keeping them in higher light now or is it too late? Thanks again for the help.

Cheryl

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by mattryan

Thanks for the reply trucker. I water then next time I fert then next water so I am not giving that much so it works out 250 ppm/mo. Summer mos. 2x maybe 3x fert per mo. 1x winter ( sorry I am using the calculator at rays). I use epsom for mag and eggshells for cal...I know not very good, but there's not alot up here in canada unless you import. I will try upping the light . I have read everything that I can find including keeping temps low to get a larger spike. These are plants that have over 8 leaves and lots of roots so I'm not talking about small plants. Should I be keeping them in higher light now or is it too late? Thanks again for the help.

Cheryl

Epson salts is fine for magnesium and the egg shelves may give enough calcium. Increasing the light now probably won't do anything for blooming. Wait until Spring and see if you can increase the light some through the spring and summer growth period. Good luck.