Phal repotted to tight?

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Bill U.

Some growers suggest that you space fertilizing out a little bit more during the winter/cooler months (versus warm, summer months) to give the plants a little bit of a break, but it has been my experience and the experience of other growers here, that if you keep to Ray's suggested concentrations, you can maintain your fertilizing schedule year round with an every now and then 2 out of 4 waterings being fertilizer (following this system is great for busy people because if you happen to "oops" on fertilizing, it's okay ).

This probably depends on the genus. For Phals, Oncs, Den Phals, Paphs I maintain the year round pattern.

For Deciduous Dens and some others that really require more of a winter rest I cut out fertiliser all together in the winter.

All orchids are likely to slow down the amount of water they need over the winter (pretty much all plants for that matter). However some of them have much more of a need for a winter rest. There was a thread around here somewhere about which need a winter rest, I'm not sure the full list, only which of mine do. Those that need a winter rest either need hardly any water for the rest period, or need much less fertiliser.

So it really all depends what you grow I think, whether you have to do that. For Phals you should be able to use this year round.

[Bill U.]

Ah- good clarification, Rosie! I forgot that part haha

[Prairie Girl]

Thank you for all your help everyone. I let the tap water run through the bark media each time I water to be sure it's absorbs enough water then I fertilize. Is this OK?

[Bill U.]

Yes, that should be fine. There are some growers who like to wet their potting media before fertilizing and then there are others who just fertilize. I personally prefer to wet my media slightly and then fertilize, but that's pretty much up to you. From what you have described here, you should be fine.