watering and fertilizing paphs

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Pokey49

Oh, one other question . Whether watering 1x or 2x per week how much water do you use? I douse the pot until the water is running out the bottom of the pot rather than just pouring a dab of water in the pot like my mom use to water her African violets. BAsed on what I have read, all the medium must get wet, not just the top inch or so.

As for watering, you might want to revisit my older post.

I do water thoroughly, but I mist enough for top half an inch or so of the pot to be watered in between (almost daily) watering. I explained the reason why in my older post. You may find out why when you repot your paph later.

Regarding the yellowing leaves, I have no idea, but given the look, I don't think it is something to worry about unless it continues on with other leaves.

I have never seen any of my paph losing more than one leaf at a time on the most current growth if ever. I have seen more than one leaf yellowing at the same time on old growths that are over two three years old.

[Pokey49]

yes, I did not forget your misting suggestion. I have a misting bottle, albeit still in the cabinet unused which I will drag out use between waterings. thanks for the reminder.

Oh, I assume room temp water is fine?? doesnt have to be warmish?

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[NYCorchidman]

Room temperature water is fine as long as your RT is not freezing. lol

I have been watering all my orchids with the city tap water, which I believe is quite pure, for years and everything grows and flowers fine.

Most of my collection are paphiopedilums.

I do avoid the cold water though. I don't know what kind of faucet you have, but I have the one that you can turn either to the left for hot water and right for cold water. I always use something in between.

[Pokey49]

I have a good mixing faucet so can get gently warm water. When u mist I assume you mist the leaves and the top of the growing medium? The key word being mist not drench and I also assume u never mist the flowers??

[Pokey49]

Terri. What is the logic behind cutting off the spike of a phal after it is done blooming above the node that is below what was the first flower. The spike eventually turns woody and dies back. At it has done so on my three phals

[quiltergal]

Sometimes if the spike stays green and there is a viable node the plant will send out a secondary spike from that node.

Personally I cut the flower spike all the way down to the bottom when it's done flowering green or not. I would prefer to have the plant go into a vegetative growth cycle before blooming again. I have also found that the flowers on a secondary spike are fewer and not as large as the first bloom. Lots of folks here leave the old spikes on. It's just a personal preference.

[Pokey49]

Think I will whack them off. One other question. I have been repotting after my phals have done bloomed as the original medium seesm to have broken down. After repotting do you fertilize or let them "sit" for a spell before feeding again. I have one that is about done blooming but has new growth coming on. I would assume after I repot it I should continue with feeding it. For me at least, watering and fertilizing is the hardest part to get down for growing orchids

[quiltergal]

I've been using Kelp Max after repotting. It stimulates root growth. It's not a fertilizer. I give them 3-4 weeks before I start feeding again.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Pokey49

I have a good mixing faucet so can get gently warm water. When u mist I assume you mist the leaves and the top of the growing medium? The key word being mist not drench and I also assume u never mist the flowers??

I mist only the top of the growing medium, not the leaves.

I guess wetting the leaves are fine as they tend to dry out quite fast in the dry indoor setting, but I just feel better just in case there would be any unwanted fungal or bacterial diseases starting.

No, I do not mist flowers either.