Best fertilizer for phalaenopsis?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Plant Happy

1. Ray, if I understand the abbreviations correctly in your wonderful instructions, you advocate using low nitrogen fertilizer, right?

Actually I use K-Lite, with is 12-1-1-10Ca-3Mg, which some would consider to be a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

However, as I use it at a very low concentration - 25 ppm N - the mass of nitrogen applied is still low.

---------- Post added at 09:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Brooke

I am in my 10th year of using your original recommendation of 125 ppm of MSU for pure water with a monthly addition of kelp and a cal-mag product.

That was not my recommendation Brooke, it was that of the folks at MSU that developed the formulas.

I have since learned from them that the concentration was not derived from any scientific analysis, but they "tried it as a once per week dose, and it seemed to work."

Looking back at the text of the original AOS article, they used it a couple times followed by a thorough RO drench. With my current frequency of watering, which can be every other day, that was simply too much nitrogen, so my regimen evolved...

[Brooke]

[/COLOR]
That was not my recommendation Brooke, it was that of the folks at MSU that developed the formulas.

I have since learned from them that the concentration was not derived from any scientific analysis, but they "tried it as a once per week dose, and it seemed to work."

Looking back at the text of the original AOS article, they used it a couple times followed by a thorough RO drench. With my current frequency of watering, which can be every other day, that was simply too much nitrogen, so my regimen evolved...[/QUOTE


Ray it was the recommendation from you when we purchased our first MSU from you. Until you switched to KLite, it was the recommendation you had on your website and recommended here on the forum. Since I don't water as often as you, nor in the same manner, I've stayed with the original recommendation.

NYCorchidman I agree. An orchid root will continue to absorb whatever moisture is available until that moisture is gone.

Orchid Whisperer - I use it three weeks in a row and then a thorough flushing with no fertilizer. My mounts which are watered (almost) daily, get fertilized three times a week. Because the mounts dry out daily, fertilizer is not available as constantly as a potted orchid.

Brooke

[Orchid Whisperer]

Thanks Brooke! I have been looking to change my fertilizer regime, especially for Phals. No one grows Phals like you do; I'll give that a try.

[Brooke]

Thanks Whisperer, I hope it also works for you.

Brooke

[bil]

Originally Posted by Brooke

[/COLOR]
That was not my recommendation Brooke, it was that of the folks at MSU that developed the formulas.

I have since learned from them that the concentration was not derived from any scientific analysis, but they "tried it as a once per week dose, and it seemed to work."

Looking back at the text of the original AOS article, they used it a couple times followed by a thorough RO drench. With my current frequency of watering, which can be every other day, that was simply too much nitrogen, so my regimen evolved...[/QUOTE


Ray it was the recommendation from you when we purchased our first MSU from you. Until you switched to KLite, it was the recommendation you had on your website and recommended here on the forum. Since I don't water as often as you, nor in the same manner, I've stayed with the original recommendation.

Well, if I were happy with a fertiliser, I would recommend it. If after a while I found a better fertiliser, then I would change my recommendation. Why would that be a wrong thing?

[Jungeoma]

Reverse Osmosis is more for people than for plants. If the community has water that is not 100 % good and has a lot of bacteria in it it is best to have RO water for drinking. The plants don't care and regular water is OK for them.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Jungeoma

Reverse Osmosis is more for people than for plants. If the community has water that is not 100 % good and has a lot of bacteria in it it is best to have RO water for drinking. The plants don't care and regular water is OK for them.

and if your water has high levels of calcium and magnesium?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by bil

and if your water has high levels of calcium and magnesium?

"High" is a somewhat relative term. I usually add Ca and Mg in order to provide enough of these elements to the plants. How much Ca and Mg do you have in your water?

RO water may be a good choice for some. I personally don't need it as my municipal water quality is excellent (total dissolved solids typically ~ 100 ppm or less, and low sodium). I can also frequently collect good supplies of rain water. If I lived in an area with poor water quality I would consider RO.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by bil

Well, if I were happy with a fertiliser, I would recommend it. If after a while I found a better fertiliser, then I would change my recommendation. Why would that be a wrong thing?

I call that "curiosity and open-mindedness".

---------- Post added at 08:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Jungeoma

Reverse Osmosis is more for people than for plants. If the community has water that is not 100 % good and has a lot of bacteria in it it is best to have RO water for drinking. The plants don't care and regular water is OK for them.

I think that's a generalized overstatement that can lead to problems, as "good" and "regular" have no meaning.

Minerals in solution can interact, can interfere with the uptake of each other, and high levels can be toxic. In the case of terrestrial plants, where the mineral content around the roots is relatively high, your statement may be acceptable, but in the case of epiphytes that have evolved getting very pure water, that's simply not the case.

The "regular" water of NYC is great. The "regular" water I get from my well is anything but. Both are "good", by the way.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Ray

I call that "curiosity and open-mindedness".[COLOR="Silver"]

I can't remember who said it, but it goes something like this.
"When the facts change, I change my mind. Pray, what do you do?"

---------- Post added at 09:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:44 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

I call that "curiosity and open-mindedness".[COLOR="Silver"]

I can't remember who said it, but but it goes something like this.
"When the facts change, I change my mind. Pray, what do you do?"