Phaius Tankervilliae - Fertilizer

[DeanneD]

I read that Phaius Tankervilliae is a heavy feeder. I also read that orchids shouldn't be fed when they're blooming. Is this the case with these? I bought one in spike a couple of months ago. I started out feeding it, then read that feeding spiking orchids can cause bud blast, so I stopped feeding it. At what point should I really stop and then re-start feeding?

Thank you!
Deanne

[johnblagg]

I have a phaius Dan rosenberg "Tropical Ice"

It needs fed during the spike development and that will not cause it to blast mine did very well this year...I got 35 blooms on one spike.

I use orchids plus every watering

[johnblagg]

feed it now it will be fine mine got feed from spike iniation untill finished with no problem at all and I got 35 buds .....it is outside now for summer and I am about to repot it into some fresh medium and will continue to fert all summer or untill it stops growing for a rest


here is a link to my pics of it developing this winter inside http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ius-spike.html

[DeanneD]

Thank you both. John, your flowers are beautiful and I love the face you put on one of the buds! LOL!

[Ray]

Not feeding a plant while in bloom is hogwash. it takes a lot of energy to sustain tissue that does not do anything to support the plant (i.e., photosynthesis).