Jim & Stephanie, where did you see the recommended dosage for regular application of K-L-N? I'm just curious. I don't find it in my bottle nor their web page.
Root Stimulators K-L-M
They only list the rate for topical application like after transplanting or cuttings.
I've heard that Blooming Booster is basically a commercial gimmick. As Jim said, most people say that reducing fertilizer has the same effect.
To induce blooming in hybrid phals, commercial growers use several approaches. Here is some info from Bob Gordon's excellent book.
- decrease daily minimum temp, and increase max temp. So instead of 63/85F, 58/91F (3-4 weeks) for example.
- raise the amount of light by 25-40% after the chilling treatment
- reduce water, fertilization and humidity
- feed with epsom salts (5tsp/gallon)
I don't deal with hybrids, but my phals don't need much special treatments like this. They seem to flower if they are in a good shape, and if they are ready. I do naturally reduce the watering and fertilization in the winter, though. Anyway, I highly recommend Bob Gordon's book, Culture of the Phalaenopsis Orchid, which has a lot of good tips like this. I don't think it's still in print, but you can get it pretty cheap from Amazon.