Feeding Potless Vanda

[yug]

Dissolve the fertilizer in water at the right concentration, pour into a spray bottle, and spritz away until soaked.
(is that what you are asking?)

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by yug

Dissolve the fertilizer in water at the right concentration, pour into a spray bottle, and spritz away until soaked.
(is that what you are asking?)

Pretty much. That's what I've been doing, but noticed that the new leaves on my Vanda were shorter than the earlier ones, suggesting that I need to increase the frequency or concentration. I've been doing what you described every 2 weeks with Miracid (now Miracle Grow for Acid Loving Plants) at 1/4 tsp/g. I rotate the plant to get all sides. It is a slow process, and I suspect that commercial growers have a less time consuming approach.

I live in rural Mississippi where there are no nearby orchid greenhouses to ask. The question came up, in part, because I just bought another Vanda. Based on the level of interest, it's a very good question.

[Clawhammer]

Great looking plant.

As long as you are applying some kind of ferts on a somewhat regular basis ferts will not be your problem. Orchids need very little and are quite adept at snatching nutrient ions out of water even when they are present in small quantities. i don't believe your observation about the leaves indicates an underlying issue.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

I will second Motes methodology and confirm that if you want a solid bloom effort from from vandas you have to feed a TBSP per gallon rate.
A TSP will let them grow nicely with scarce bloom if any.

[Shadeflower]

and an apple a day will keep the doctor away

sry couldn't help myself seeing your avatar pic

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Ben_in_North_FLA

I will second Motes methodology and confirm that if you want a solid bloom effort from from vandas you have to feed a TBSP per gallon rate.
A TSP will let them grow nicely with scarce bloom if any.

Don’t forget you have to include the concentration and the frequency of application in that!

How often does Motes feed their plants at a tablespoon/gallon, and using what formula fertilizer?

When I was feeding my vandas using K-Lite (12.9% N) at the equivalent of 1/10 teaspoon/gallon, they were getting thoroughly drenched daily, year round, and in warmer months, 2 or 3 times a day. They bloomed very well.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by Ray

How often does Motes feed their plants at a tablespoon/gallon, and using what formula fertilizer?

I wrote the answer to those questions in my first post to this thread.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I wrote the answer to those questions in my first post to this thread.

Sorry. Missed that.

So a 20-20-20 @ 1 tablespoon per gallon every 5 days - that's about 940 ppm N, or an average of 185 ppm N daily.

That's a LOT of fertilizer! I guess my next question is if they water first, then feed, or apply that to dry roots - it'll make a HUGE difference in the uptake dynamics.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by Ray

Sorry. Missed that.

So a 20-20-20 @ 1 tablespoon per gallon every 5 days - that's about 940 ppm N, or an average of 185 ppm N daily.

That's a LOT of fertilizer! I guess my next question is if they water first, then feed, or apply that to dry roots - it'll make a HUGE difference in the uptake dynamics.

In the book and videos he says a fertilization replaces a plain watering. So he's doing that every 5th day during most of the year and about every 2 days during hot weather. Vandas fertilized like other orchids hardly grow.

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by Ben_in_North_FLA

I will second Motes methodology and confirm that if you want a solid bloom effort from from vandas you have to feed a TBSP per gallon rate.
A TSP will let them grow nicely with scarce bloom if any.

What led you to this conclusion?
K-Sci

---------- Post added at 09:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

Sorry. Missed that.

So a 20-20-20 @ 1 tablespoon per gallon every 5 days - that's about 940 ppm N, or an average of 185 ppm N daily.

That's a LOT of fertilizer! I guess my next question is if they water first, then feed, or apply that to dry roots - it'll make a HUGE difference in the uptake dynamics.

I'd like to know if it turns the roots blue.
K-Sci