How do I encourage root growth?

[monivik]

Originally Posted by Ray

4 ml/L is a 1:250 dilution. 1 tablespoon/gallon is 1:256.

When I got my first samples, I asked what to use on orchids, and nobody knew, as their focus is food crops, turf and trees/shrubs. They suggests I start with 1:400 (more dilute does nothing), wait a month, and if that did nothing, try 1:300 and wait a month.

I’m not that patient, so chose an easy Imperial measure - a tablespoon - and tried it at two treatments a week apart on my vandaceous plants. Growing in baskets with no medium, I typically saw no more than about a half dozen new root tips when they started growing in the Spring. That year, the average was 40.

Now then. Any questions why I’m so enthusiastic about the stuff?

Hi Ray. I want to give an update on using Kelpak. Thanks for the advice first of all.

So my two worst affected orchids (from mealybug infestation) are a young Schilleriana Phal and the Hieroglyphica Phal.

The Schilleriana, it is still I think critical, it lost all leaves but the top 2 (had 5 to start with, and it's a young plant, pretty small),the roots all gone but two small short stumps. I did exactly as you said immersed the complete plant in water with Kelpak left it there for a while. Then waited 3 weeks and did it a second time (last week that was). Yesterday I noticed one new root on the way (so now 3 short stumps) and what looks like a new leaf on the way. I am so excited!!! I really don't want anything to go wrong now.

The Hieroglyphica still has a blackened crown, I've also treated this one with Kelpak. But it's the same, I don't see any change so far. But it's still there, not dead yet.

I'd now like to ask for a bit more advice. See the Hieroglyphica is my first (warm growing Phalaenopsis ever), to be honest I bought it without thinking about the "living conditions".

The thing is that I live in Northern Europe, and we're in fall now, winter coming next. The temperature inside my house is right now 72,5F (22,5C), and I grow all my plants in the house (apartment, I don't have a greenhouse). But I know that as the temperature outdoors keeps getting colder my house does too.

The average daytime temperature in my house fall/winter is 64,4F (18C) to 66,2F (19C). My husband and I work (not at home, not even during Corona) weekdays so we don't use the heating unless we're at home, and even then we don't put it particularly high, because of costs, it is expensive over here. In fact the heating is not on at night, when we sleep, either.

Not to mention daylight is also less this time of the year.

My question is can I do something, to better the conditions for plants that need a bit higher temperature?

By the way, although the Schilleriana, as I understand has normal conditions like the regular Phalaenopsis orchids, growth period would be spring/summer because of the higher temps. I think this recovering little one might also benefit from a bit warmer temp now that it's making a new leaf and new roots, right?

I'm now looking into maybe a heating mat? Is that an idea? Or growing lights? How about one of those LED growth lamps? Do the lamps also give off heat, or would you suggest the heating mat too?

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by monivik

I'd now like to ask for a bit more advice. See the Hieroglyphica is my first (warm growing Phalaenopsis ever), to be honest I bought it without thinking about the "living conditions".

The thing is that I live in Northern Europe, and we're in fall now, winter coming next. The temperature inside my house is right now 72,5F (22,5C), and I grow all my plants in the house (apartment, I don't have a greenhouse). But I know that as the temperature outdoors keeps getting colder my house does too.

The average daytime temperature in my house fall/winter is 64,4F (18C) to 66,2F (19C). My husband and I work (not at home, not even during Corona) weekdays so we don't use the heating unless we're at home, and even then we don't put it particularly high, because of costs, it is expensive over here. In fact the heating is not on at night, when we sleep, either.

Not to mention daylight is also less this time of the year.

My question is can I do something, to better the conditions for plants that need a bit higher temperature?

By the way, although the Schilleriana, as I understand has normal conditions like the regular Phalaenopsis orchids, growth period would be spring/summer because of the higher temps. I think this recovering little one might also benefit from a bit warmer temp now that it's making a new leaf and new roots, right?

I'm now looking into maybe a heating mat? Is that an idea? Or growing lights? How about one of those LED growth lamps? Do the lamps also give off heat, or would you suggest the heating mat too?

My winter conditions are similar to yours, though a bit warmer since I live in a recent, well insolated building (and our windows face south, so on sunny winter days it can reach 22C without turning on the heating). 2 years ago I bought some LED fixtures for a few of my shelves and even though they don't put off much heat, I was measuring temps up to 5C warmer at plant level than a shelf without lights. This 5C gain was on a shelf that also has lights beneath it as well (acts as a sot of bottom heat).

Otherwise I would definitely suggest a heat mat for your poor recovering schilleriana!

I have a few warm/hot growing Phals, and even though our winter temps are far from being ideal, the plants do tolerate it and do most of their growing from spring to fall. I know they they will never reach their full potential, but the growth and flowering I see is good enough for me (given that the alternative is to not have these plants at all!)

[monivik]

Originally Posted by camille1585

My winter conditions are similar to yours, though a bit warmer since I live in a recent, well insolated building (and our windows face south, so on sunny winter days it can reach 22C without turning on the heating). 2 years ago I bought some LED fixtures for a few of my shelves and even though they don't put off much heat, I was measuring temps up to 5C warmer at plant level than a shelf without lights. This 5C gain was on a shelf that also has lights beneath it as well (acts as a sot of bottom heat).

Otherwise I would definitely suggest a heat mat for your poor recovering schilleriana!

I have a few warm/hot growing Phals, and even though our winter temps are far from being ideal, the plants do tolerate it and do most of their growing from spring to fall. I know they they will never reach their full potential, but the growth and flowering I see is good enough for me (given that the alternative is to not have these plants at all!)

Thanks. I've ordered a LED lamp, full spectrum. White light rather than blue or red. I think that's the one for regular daytime light. I thought at 25 euros I'm willing to spend that, not crazy expensive. Sounds crazy to buy something for just 2 small plants, but truth is that I think it's just handy to have because of my other orchids in general, they don't get much bright light for most part of the year. I've got orchids that haven't flowered for years, they seem fine, good roots and leaves are fine. Maybe the light is the issue?

Regarding the heating mat or heating pad. I might get a small one, I mean again something that could be practical for in spring time when I start planting seeds of tomato, pepper and herbs. I have a tiny little green house for those, and the heating mat can be placed underneath. So it may just be useful anyway.

I am going to wait first for the delivery of the lamp first, then like you said I want to test by putting a thermometer under it, to see if it does affect the temperature, even a little.

[camille1585]

I originally bought my lights to grow better and more robust tomato seedlings, and then discovered that the orchids enjoy them as well! So the orchids get the LEDs from October to early march, then the tomatoes have them. I was thinking of getting heat mat for a few orchids and also using it to start veggies from seed in the spring

[Ray]

Heat mats are quite effective at stimulating seed germination, but also do wonders for encouraging orchid root growth.

The only potential "gotcha" is the medium drying out more quickly than you might expect, but that's really easy to remedy.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Ray

Heat mats are quite effective at stimulating seed germination, but also do wonders for encouraging orchid root growth.

The only potential "gotcha" is the medium drying out more quickly than you might expect, but that's really easy to remedy.

Silly question, are heat mats meant to be running 24/7, or would you use them just part of the day/night? (for orchid use, but also just in general)

[Mr.Fakename]

One thing to note about Phal schilleriana, is that it thrives under brighter conditions than most Phal.

Don't be afraid to put it close to your LEDs, I'm sure the extra photosynthesis will help it recover faster.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Silly question, are heat mats meant to be running 24/7, or would you use them just part of the day/night? (for orchid use, but also just in general)

I have only used them for germinating vegetable seeds and helping get plants established in S/H, so it was 24/7 for me.

[SouthPark]

Moni ----- I reckon that root growth is just bunched with regular plant growth.

If the orchid (leaves, roots and all) gets suitable growing temperatures, suitable lighting and lighting duration, adequate humidity, and maybe adequate air movement around leaves and around roots, and adequate water for the roots to get water into the orchid, and adequate nutrients (elements etc), and water source is satisfactory ------ then the orchid will grow satisfactorily ...... leaves, stem and roots.

There can be certain times of the year where maybe some catts do some 'resting', and not do a great deal for a little while - but picks up where it left off once the system gets back into action.

[monivik]

Originally Posted by Ray

Heat mats are quite effective at stimulating seed germination, but also do wonders for encouraging orchid root growth.

The only potential "gotcha" is the medium drying out more quickly than you might expect, but that's really easy to remedy.

I've received the heat mat that I ordered. A question though: should it be on day and night? Or should I turn it off in the evening?