Kelpak + Phalaenopsis + Semi-Hydro + Results + Pics
 

Hello,

Wanted to share with you the results of my experiment with my only Phal, It was moved into semi-hydro on 25-2-2012.

At the beginning I used only my regular fertilizer taHtso, then I bought Kelpak on 5-5-2012, on 6-5-2012 I started using Kelpak at 14 day interval, at 1:500 ratio, then 1:250 ratio.

First bloom was on 22-7-2012, the blooms are still strong until today 10 weeks in total.

The Phal put out 4 new leaves, and countless new roots and is still putting out new leaves and roots while in bloom.

I am also using Kelpak on my cymbidiums, oncidium, cambria, calanthe and pleiones.

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...f/IMG_0542.jpg

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...f/IMG_0550.jpg

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...f/IMG_0545.jpg

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...f/IMG_0549.jpg

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...f/IMG_0548.jpg

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...f/IMG_0552.jpg

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...f/IMG_0551.jpg

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/x...f/IMG_0547.jpg

Looks very happy!

What a positively perfect bloom spike! I don't think I've ever seen one so straight with the flowers so symmetrical! Lovely. I hope mine turn out as well as yours so obviously has!

Excellent!

Bill

Your phal is beautiful and looks very healthy. Good growing.

Beautiful, indeed!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! that's a beautiful spike, love the colour and what a healthy plant!

I completely agree...Healthy, beautiful orchid plant...Betty:bowing

Beautiful spike! Congratulations.

Cheers.
Jim

So pretty and healthy! Your pot looks different from what I used for semi-hydro. Do you always keep some water in the dish? It seems that you plant like kelpak a lot. I have never use Kelpak and would love to try it if this makes such different result.

Thank you all!

Hello Esyf,

I used that kind of pots for my semi-hydro because I had a rough time with algae buildup with clear pots, these are regular plastic pots, no algae buildup and frankly I think they look better.

As for the water in the dish, it is some water that escaped the holes when i moved the pot to take some pics, I mist the roots on top twice a day when the weather is hot and since now when are in summer, will cut back on the misting when the weather becomes cold.

Kelpak is an outstanding product.

Two things: Any plastic pot may be used for S/H culture, as long as there is a standing reservoir. A pot in a tray is simply using and external reservoir, rather than the internal one in the pots I sell.

Kelpak is no longer available as a retail product in the US; it is now sold as "KelpMax"

Thanks so much for your information. So you immense the pot in water every ? days, no standing water in the dish, mist the roots .....
How often do you immense the pot in water, ? Your plant looks so healthy! You must did something really right!

you are welcome,

Once the plant gets established in semi-hydro, you can water as much as you want, and according to the experts on the matter, the more you water, the better. As long as you don't let reservoir dry out completely.

I water by filling the pot to the top rapidly and I let it drain through the holes on the side, I do that every time to flush the pot and prevent salt and mineral buildup on the Hydroton.

The roots on the top get misted because they don't get any nutrients from the water in the reservoir.

I killed 2 phals before, you learn from your mistakes.

Looking Gorgeous.

I can't get Kelpmax or Ray's Solo product here in the UK, but I've had good results with the seaweed extract I've tried here in the UK. The ones high in auxins really seem to make a difference.

Rosie, I look at your orchids picture. They are so pretty!!
The Lephanthes calodictyon is so cute!

Thank you :)

Unfortunately the Lephanthes is no more :( It died last winter, I think it was too close to my radiators, it had done well all summer but I think dried out too much because of the radiator heat in the winter :( Planning to get another as I loved this little one and it had done so well and flowered so consistently before that.

Wire to hold them straight?
 

To empiref, I noticed in the photos that you used wire to keep the plant upright. What a great idea. I have used a stone and done the wedge thing to try to straighten them, but wire is a much better idea. What kind of wire is it?:waving

This wire is found inside a UTP cable that is used for internet.

WARNING: BLATANT COMMERCIAL HIJACK

I can't post it directly, but I received a copy of a letter from the head groundskeeper at Citizens Bank Park (Go Phillies!) praising how Kelpak (sold as KelpMax on the North American retail market) helped the resodding of the field after this year's "Winter Classic" hockey game.

They treated the sod at one quart per acre one week before harvest. They started the installation on 1/31, and it was done midday 2/2 - and they were seeing new root growth protruding from the sod already. Not bad at all considering it was February in Philadelphia (although it was mild).

They covered the field with "growth blankets" for two weeks, retreated at the same application rate on March 6, and by late March, in time for the first exhibition game, they had 6"-8" root systems over most of the park.

Needless to say, I have contacted the Phillies to see if I can work up a case study for my own marketing effort.

I would love to read your findings!!

There were no "findings", just feedback on how well it worked, which I believed I summarized adequately.


Ray Barkalow
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