Flowering is an extremely energy-intensive activity. It IS, after all, a
plant's expression of its sexuality, and I imagine most of us know how
energy intensive that is!
Commercial plant foods are calculated to be used periodically, for the most
part, at label strength. I prefer to feed regularly, so use a fraction of
the recommended concentration at every watering. Most commercial
phalaenopsis growers (with good light and other conditions) use about
200-250 ppm nitrogen when they feed. I use 150. Your use of 1/8
teaspoon/gallon of 6-25-25 amounts to about 10 parts per million. The fact
that phals are CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) plants, says that they are
absorbing practically nothing via foliar feeding, as their stomata are
really only open at night. In other words, your foliar feeding is doing
essentially nothing other than depositing salts on the leaves.
The fact that you're feeding every now and then via the roots is good, but
likely not nearly enough. Since January????
I would strongly recommend stopping with the foliar feeding, misting with
pure water only. AND...start feeding your plants regularly with the Schultz
stuff. A 19-31-17 formula provides about 250 ppm nitrogen per teaspoon used
per gallon of water. With your conditions, 1/2 or even 1/4 of that would be
a binge for the plants.
--
Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids -
www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
.. . . . . . . . . . .
"gardenjan" wrote in message
.net...
I don't want to overdo it on the food and end up killing them. The phal
has
been growing leaves and roots, just not flowers.
"Ray" wrote in message
...
I suspect that your plants could use some food!
Foliar feeding is not an important nutritional pathway for many orchids,
including phals.
--
Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
. . . . . . . . . . .
"gardenjan" wrote in message
news:K5N4b.324018$YN5.222971@sccrnsc01...
Am using Wonderlizer High Bloom 6-25-25. Watering without the
fertilizer.
Using the fertilizer (about 1/8th teaspoon) in sprayer bottle full of
water
and misting with the water bottle in the a.m. daily. Otherwise, use
Schultz
Orchid food 19-31-17 and use once monthly when watering ( haven't
used
the
Schultz since January this year).
Thanks again.
"Ray" wrote in message
...
I still think the phal ought to be getting enough light, so have to
wonder
what else is going on. What kind of fertilizer do you use?
I cannot recommend a brand on the fixture, but they and the bulbs
ought
to
be available at most Sears, Lowes, or Home Depots.
--
Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
. . . . . . . . . . .
"gardenjan" wrote in message
et...
Thanks everyone for your responses. I believe my plants are not
getting
enough light due to the way light comes into the windows. The
windows
face
east on one side and west ( of course) on the other, but not
directly.
The
orchids get the east sun in the a.m. but only for a few hours. I
have
read
articles from the S.F. Orchid Show, Rod McClellan (sp?) and a few
books
I
have on growing Orchids as well as checking some websites. I'm
following
the information given on watering and temperature. I've checked
the
light
at different times of the day with a light meter.
Ray, you recommend a quality fixture with an electronic ballast.
You
also
recommend the GE "Sunlight" bulb. Would you reply with
information
on
the
brand of the fixture you recommend and sources where these items
can
be
purchase.
Thanks again for your help.
"Ray" wrote in message
...
Before you go investing in fluorescent fixtures, why not
describe
why
you
think your plants aren't getting sufficient light. There are
more
things
than just light that affect blooming, and the phal should be
pretty
good
about fairly low light levels.
If you do decide to go with lights, don't bother to buy one of
those
cheapie
2-bulb fixtures. The ballast will die in short order. You're
better
off
with a quality fixture, and one with an electronic ballast will
be
quieter,
last longer, and will waste less energy generating heat.
FWIW, I prefer the GE "Sunlight" bulbs, as they have a broad
spectrum
and
are only a buck or two more than ordinary cool whites.
--
Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
. . . . . . . . . .
..
"gardenjan" wrote in message
news:A2B4b.239420$cF.77342@rwcrnsc53...
My Cattleya (mini), and Phalaenopsis do not get enough light
to
flower.
They both grow new leaves and roots. I want to try
fluorescent
lighting.
Any suggestions on types of fluorescent light bulbs, wattage,
and
hours
a
day needed for encouraging flowering.
All replies appreciated. Thanks.