Study of Phal Color 2010 vs 2009

[GloriaGatti]

In mid 2009 I began a fertilizer regime based on Ray's advice. I bought MSU fertilizer, mixed a concentrate per his instructions. Then I bought a pH/EC/TDS meter to test that I was getting it right.

Take a look at the results. What a difference! Thank you Ray!!!

[RosieC]

Cool, great improvement.

[DebsC]

That's really amazing! Thanks for sharing this.

[mspatt]

I wondered if the MSU fertilizer really made a difference--now I know!! Thanks for letting us see the pics!

[Brookpoint]

Amazing improvement. was the fertilizer the only difference? I assume the growing enviorment was identical. Guess I should order some MSU

[GloriaGatti]

Hi Brookpoint, Good question. Yes - the fertilizer was the only difference. I use RO water at room temperature with the MSU at 125ppm per Ray's suggestion. I flush the posts using plain water once each month and use the fertilizer the rest of the time.

[dounoharm]

neat comparisons! its good to see this, as i began using the msu about 3 months ago...too soon to see major improvements....

[Fiona]

Hi GloriaGatti, that first pic, is it a small plant with sideways arching sprays clustered with small flowers? I am sure I bought the same plant at a show last year, and am looking for the name. You wouldn't perhaps have a pic with the whole plant and flowering stems?

Fiona

[GloriaGatti]

Hi Fiona, Yes - it is a compact plant with smaller flowers that grow close together on the spike. I have attached a photo of the whole plant plus the back of the flower. Unfortunately, it's a NOID although it came with a tag that said "P0706-BL". If you find out the name, I would really appreciate knowing. Thanks, Gloria

[Blueszz]

Well grown, but I'm sure there are other factors that you can't control for 100% that influence colors of the blooms. Some Phal's have fading flowers as they age. Some even start yellowish-green and are white within 1 week... others take longer to fade. I know from a cross that looks like the first on you pictured, that fades to really pale after several weeks.
Also, I've read that light intensity(during development) can change the flower color, making it more intense for instance. I'm not sure if this is true for all species/hybrids.

However, I want to address you grew great looking, beautiful flowers! Don't want to spoil the party but imho you can't address the improvement on the fertilizer alone.

Nicole