Rescue's Leaves and Roots

[Kari_Stein]

I've got my two orchids (so far ), the end of April for the first and the beginning of May for the second. One's a rescue that had no healthy roots and the other's one that was cheap since it had finished blooming. Both are Phals, the second a miniature.

I guess my headboard (in front of a southwest window with mini blinds set horizontally) is well suited to them because I now have a new leaf forming on each and new roots as well. I've been reading online (mostly here) and taking pictures to convince me they're growing so I don't over baby them.

Does using Superthrive encourage roots over leaves? Does regular fertilizer? I started using Superthrive about two weeks ago and that's when the roots also started taking off on the rescue. It could also be that I had recently dipped the rootless wonder in rooting hormone powder. It started the leaf several weeks earlier. It's base is nestled in clear aqua crystal things (expand hugely with water and gradually release the moisture) so I can keep a really close watch and so it gets lots of humidity and air. It first went into rough bark mixture, but the rot started again. Now it's doing great.

I want to do my best by these new children.

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't know if super thrive encourages roots over foliage ... I think it's supposed to be an "all around" type supplement. Maybe someone else can answer definitively. May have helped the roots, tho - and may also be the right time for root growth tor these _pants.

Glad they are doing well for you!

[Optimist]

Clear aqua thingies? Do the roots get enough air? Phal roots actually need to dry out between waterings, usually. Do you plan on going hydroponic with them?

[Kari_Stein]

The roots do get significant air flow since I make sure the crystal water ball thingies stay well hydrated (and drain fully afterwards). Each is almost half an inch wide. I had the plant in large wood chips, but the rot started returning. That's when I switched. The main things I like about these things is that the airflow is high and so is the humidity. They always feel just a touch moist, but the plant does dry out. What isn't happening is that it drys out so much that the minimal roots it now has wither at all.

I'm not sure if I'm going to semi-hydroponics, but it's tempting since this is working so well.

[Optimist]

Hmmm. Interested.