Please help with my paphs

[SJF]

Originally Posted by ALToronto

K-lite at what ppm? With the extra calcium and magnesium, you could get precipitation even at moderate dosage. Does your bark dry out completely between waterings?

1/3 tsp. per gallon. Could that and the oyster shell powder be too much? I am new to paphs and have two new ones from Carter and Holmes and don't want to mess them up.

[ALToronto]

It's possible. From what I understand, K-lite eliminates the need for the oyster shell. Like you, I have paphs with pre-existing oyster shell amendment that I've started feeding with K-lite. So far no problems, and I'm watching for overdoses.

I think I use less than you do - instead of measuring out tiny quantities for each gallon, I've made a concentrated solution (4000 ppm Nitrogen), which I dilute 1:100. I find dry K-lite to be so non-homogeneous, I really can't trust one 1/4 tsp to have the same composition as another.

[SJF]

These are the two from C&H

larger on is: Paph. Pinocchio (Paphiopedilum primulinum x moquettianum)

smaller one is: Paphiopedilum sukhakulii alba x Paphiopedilum sukhakulii alba 'Mendenhall' AM/AOS

[SJF]

Originally Posted by ALToronto

It's possible. From what I understand, K-lite eliminates the need for the oyster shell. Like you, I have paphs with pre-existing oyster shell amendment that I've started feeding with K-lite. So far no problems, and I'm watching for overdoses.

I think I use less than you do - instead of measuring out tiny quantities for each gallon, I've made a concentrated solution (4000 ppm Nitrogen), which I dilute 1:100. I find dry K-lite to be so non-homogeneous, I really can't trust one 1/4 tsp to have the same composition as another.

I won't add any oyster shell when I repot. I wish I could mix large quantities, but I grow in my house not in a greenhouse. I would worry about my kids and cats (meow kind ) with the mix in the house.

[ALToronto]

Nice! Mine are much smaller, but it was all I could afford. Can't argue with 3 seedlings for $20 from one of the best paph growers in Canada. I have lots of patience.

[SJF]

Originally Posted by ALToronto

It's possible. From what I understand, K-lite eliminates the need for the oyster shell. Like you, I have paphs with pre-existing oyster shell amendment that I've started feeding with K-lite. So far no problems, and I'm watching for overdoses.

I think I use less than you do - instead of measuring out tiny quantities for each gallon, I've made a concentrated solution (4000 ppm Nitrogen), which I dilute 1:100. I find dry K-lite to be so non-homogeneous, I really can't trust one 1/4 tsp to have the same composition as another.

I wonder if it would be better to just use the new SOLO with K-lite once I use this one up? That way I would just use that at every other watering. Can that be used when orchids are flowering?

[ALToronto]

Originally Posted by SJF

I won't add any oyster shell when I repot. I wish I could mix large quantities, but I grow in my house not in a greenhouse. I would worry about my kids and cats (meow kind ) with the mix in the house.

The concentrated liquid is so blue, I don't think anyone would mistake it for something harmless. And even dilute, it tastes awful.

I bought a 1 qt clear bottle with a tight rubber spout at a dollar store. Measured out 30 g K-lite (I have an accurate scale at work, but small very accurate scales are very cheap on Amazon - around $10) and diluted it in store-bought distilled water. Now I measure out 2 tbsp per half-gallon for 35-40 ppm N.

---------- Post added at 06:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 PM ----------

Originally Posted by SJF

I wonder if it would be better to just use the new SOLO with K-lite once I use this one up? That way I would just use that at every other watering. Can that be used when orchids are flowering?

I think you'll have problems if you overdo the hormones. I have KelpMax, and I only use it once a month.

[SJF]

Originally Posted by ALToronto

The concentrated liquid is so blue, I don't think anyone would mistake it for something harmless. And even dilute, it tastes awful.

I bought a 1 qt clear bottle with a tight rubber spout at a dollar store. Measured out 30 g K-lite (I have an accurate scale at work, but small very accurate scales are very cheap on Amazon - around $10) and diluted it in store-bought distilled water. Now I measure out 2 tbsp per half-gallon for 35-40 ppm N.

---------- Post added at 06:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 PM ----------



I think you'll have problems if you overdo the hormones. I have KelpMax, and I only use it once a month.

Thank you. Great ideas!!!