new spike coming on phal - feeding question

[Kailyn]

Hi all
one of my NoID phals has a spike just starting to form. I am wondering if I should carry on watering it w my normal routine or should I find a lower nitrogen feed etc. Right now it get very dilute amounts of liquid all purpose orchid food 15-5-5 and a seaweed supplement pretty much every time I water. I flush them ever month or so at the sink. It has had amazing root growth and is also forming a new leaf and shedding an old one. It lives on a pebble tray on a seedling heat mat (my place is quite cool in winter).

[Brooke]

I never change my main fertilizer except to reduce the amount in the short days of winter. Your Phal is strong enough to produce a spike and it has already determined how many blooms it will have so why change?

Brooke

[quiltergal]

I do the same as Brooke. It's too much nitrogen that can inhibit spike initiation. If yours has already started one you don't need to change anything. As Brooke says the number of flowers etc. has already been determined by the plant so changing your routine now won't make any difference.

[My Green Pets]

Number of flowers determined already? Really?

[Cym Ladye]

Ray on this OB once had a great response to the question of changing or withholding water and fertilizer while a plant was in bloom. He asked if you would withhold water and food if a woman was pregnant? I think he made his point

[Kailyn]

sounds good to me I wont change a thing!