Questions about fertilizing Phalaenopsis

[HiOrcDen]

I'm planning to fertilize my orchids for the first time, and I've got a few questions...

If the medium is relatively moist, is it still necessary to water thoroughly before applying fertilizer?

If I should always water before applying fertilizer, should I fertilize on the watering schedule; that is, if say I'm fertilizing every two weeks, is it ok to fertilize approximately every two weeks on the closest day of watering?

Once I've mixed the fertilizer solution with water, how much do I apply to the orchid? Do I just pour it in until it starts to drain out the bottom, or more thoroughly? (Strange that I haven't seen this question addressed in any tutorial lol)

Sorry for so many questions...
And thanks in advance

[nicola]

hi,
from what I understand you intend to use a water-soluble fertilizer.
This means that when you fertilize it, you're watering it.
Phalaenopsis need very little amount of nutrients.
I add a balanced fertilizer (20-20-20) at every third watering in the concentration of half a teaspoon to a gallon of r.o. water.
Others add smaller amounts at each watering.
Wetting the roots before fertilizing is a precaution that many recommend.
I do it only for mounted orchids.
In the long run the greatest risk is the accumulation of salts in the substrate.
To avoid this it is good to pour copious amounts of water between fertilization.
This works well for my growing conditions.
happy growing
Nicola

[HiOrcDen]

Thanks for this, I was actually wondering if I could fertilize based on how often I water rather than a certain time period.

I was under the impression that one should not use distilled or softened water for orchids. Is reverse osmosis water something different?

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Thanks for this, I was actually wondering if I could fertilize based on how often I water rather than a certain time period.

I was under the impression that one should not use distilled or softened water for orchids. Is reverse osmosis water something different?

Distilled water is excellent for orchids, albeit more expensive than necessary. Water processed through a traditional ion exchange softener is the Antichrist of orchids. Distillation removes all the minerals from the water which isn't bad. Minerals are easy to add if necessary. A softener exchanges sodium ions for magnesium and calcium ions. Calcium and magnesium are actually necessary for plants, although often in levels much lower than typical tap water. Sodium is much less tolerated. Reverse osmosis is a process of forcing water through a membrane which mechanically filters out ions, creating water with very low to negligible mineral content.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Thanks for this, I was actually wondering if I could fertilize based on how often I water rather than a certain time period.

Yes, you can do that. For instance, I add fertilizer every 3 waterings.

[Optimist]

Remember too that some orchids need and want less ferts than others. You need to look on the care sheets for each one. Paphs are not too interested in Fert, but Cimbidiums like more (etc.) However Paphs seem to like a bit of calcium (like sea shells) as a top dressing.
I generally mix much less than the box or bottle states, maybe half or a fourth. The way I see it, you shuld fertilize less often than you put something like "liquid Kelp" in the water.

[bil]

Google 'First Ray's' and read up on the fertiliser advice there.
I go by his numbers. I use an ultra low dose when I am watering every day or every other day in the summer.. As the frquency drops to twice a week, I double the dose, and when I hit once a week, I use a triple dose. They all get a small splash of dilute kelp once a month.

My phals are all potted in coarse bark, which drains fast, and doesn't hold much water. That means they need watering more often, but I prefer that to the risk of rot in the winter.

Poting phals in moss (Mossites are filthy pagan scum, but we must pity them) is understandable if you just can't cope with watering a phal three times a week in summer..

We noble Barkistas joke about this, but there is serious thought behind it.

Of all the orchids I have bought, the ones with the worst roots have always been those potted in moss, and the best roots those potted in more open bark based mixes.

Obvs, the size of the bark varies with the size of the roots, and even I am not above using a tiny bit of moss at the roots to act as a water reservoir for a rootless, or damaged root specimen. I won't pot them in moss, because I want them to get those roots growing into moss free bark.

[bethmarie]

Originally Posted by bil

(Mossites are filthy pagan scum, but we must pity them)

I object! I'm clean, and I think filthy and scum are kind of redundant.

[bil]

Originally Posted by bethmarie

I object! I'm clean, and I think filthy and scum are kind of redundant.

My child. With phals the way of the Barkista is the only true path!

Mossites are known to practise unspeakable acts of depravity!

[bethmarie]

Originally Posted by bil

My child. With phals the way of the Barkista is the only true path!

Mossites are known to practise unspeakable acts of depravity!

I deplore adding fuel to a discriminatory fire, but it would be less than truthful to not admit here that I've been moving my Phals from moss to bark over the last few weeks. I've grown in moss for years, and have happy healthy Phals, but can't help noticing that the ones I bring home from the greenhouse in bark have healthier roots by far.

Moss was a choice of overwhelm for me. I have too many plants that must be carted from the grow room to the kitchen for water, and the fewer days per week that happens, the better.

I decided to grow fewer plants and grow them as well as possible, and so must whittle down the collection over the spring. Hence, I am turning over a new leaf, the Phals are moving into bark, and I am hoping I don't kill them before the orchid population here declines a bit.

I'll note that Peter Lin grows a damn lot of Phals and very well, and he grows with moss. I've noticed, though, that he doesn't grow so much in moss, as around moss. The plants I've gotten from him mostly have their roots growing on the outside of a densely packed sphagnum mass.

And there you have it; one woman's journey from barkophobe to barkophile.

The end.