Phrag. Haley Decker in bud..fertilze or not?

[zygostates]

Hey everyone,
I just wanted to ask if I should leave good enough well alone...or to supplement a developing budding Phrag Haley Decker. I havent given the plant any additional fertilizers other than the 1/2 teaspoon of 'Dynamite" that has been on the surface of the potting media for months. The plant appears to be doing well. Since it started spiking..an infusion of burgandy/wine colors have become more intense on the lower crown of the plant as well as a striping on the margins of the leaf in which the bud sheaf developed from. There is also a new growth starting. The flower spike appears to also be forming an additional flower bud as well. As you can see from my picture, the spike was growing so quickly that I had to put it under higher lights. I also keep it on a upside down pot in an aluminum pan. That way the run off from watering helps with the humidity. I flush the phrag once a week with tap water. I bought this plant at the 19th WOC in bud from Piping Rock Orchids. The bud promptly blasted after its plane ride back home as a carry on. So I am very excited about getting to see it bloom this year. Thanks for your advise.

[slipperfreak]

I don't know what "Dynamite" is but it may be a slow-release fertilizer. I'm not a big fan of slow-release because you can't control how much salt is around the roots at any given time. It looks like your plant may have some fertilizer burn on the leaves which would support my theory.

I would leave the plant alone in this case, and repot it after it blooms, then switch to a water soluble fertilizer or a concentrate like Dyna-Gro. For a Phrag like this a weekly feeding of 1/4 tsp. Dyna-Gro per gallon, per week is good enough. Keep flushing like you are doing - that always helps to leach out excess minerals (although if your tap water is hard you might consider switching to RO/distilled/rain for better results).

By the way, congrats on blooming this amazing hybrid! I look forward to seeing the blooms!

[Becca]

Wow you've got to be so excited that it's in bud! I can't wait to see pictures of it when it blooms!

[zygostates]

Joe,
"Dynamite" is indeed a slow release fertilizer. It differs from other granular slow release fertilizers in that it is fertilizer surrounded by a water soluble polymer instead of a layer of dissolving salt like "Osmocote". I believe it may also go by the name of "Nutricote". It can be found in "Lowe's" or "Home Depot" stores. There are a lot of people that I know that have been using it on orchids with wonderful results. I have a friend who owns the "Atlanta Orchid Company" in Atlanta,Ga who puts it on all of his plant every 9 months. We all go nuts at shows when he brings in his plants. They are so big, healthy, beautiful foliage, and flowers. The "burn" that you see on the Phrag. Haley Decker" resulted from me letting it dry out a couple of times this past Summer. I dont believe it was fertilizer burn..I 'm horrible about fertilizing and when I do...I use a quarter strength or less.