Well, Cecil, it looks like you and I don't really disagree!
As phals are CAM plants, daytime foliar feeding is likely to do little for
the plants through that route. Spraying them at night is often a perfect
formula for crown rot and the fostering of fungal invasions.
Foliar feeding via a paint brush in the under sides of the leaves may be the
way around that, but in my opinion, is highly impractical for folks with a
substantial number of plants.
There's another factor to consider for folks who do "foliar feed" in
daylight hours: most do so (borrowing a phrase from a private email on the
subject) by making "three or four passes over the table, after he waters."
That is perceived by them as foliar feeding. In reality, they're just
wetting down the plants and the fertilizer is splashing into the pots, where
it can be absorbed by the root system. Maybe there is a slight bit of
foliar uptake, but as I originally said, it's likely to be minimal
--
Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids -
www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Cecil Kimber" wrote in message
news:KMU4b.246521$cF.79252@rwcrnsc53...
A trick I learned from Alan Koch at Gold Country Orchids is to once a
month
give a foliar feed feeding of Ironex and Seaweed Extract. This provides
micronutrients the plants sometimes need. I have a Den cuthbertsonii that
was a real bugger to get started flowering now it starts flowering right
on
schedule and I've got to pull the buds off to give it a rest or the little
guy would be in bloom 12 months a year! This may not be your problem but
it
was mine.
I disagree on the foliar transportation of nutrients. It just needs
to
be in the correct form. Complex organics seem to be more helpful here
(i.e.
fish emulsion, etc.). Many orchids, but especially Phals. use a unique
metabolic process called CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism). It's a way
to
conserve moisture. The stomata are closed all day to conserve moisture.
They store CO2 at night in the form of carbolic acid. During the day they
release the CO2 from the acid solution to photosynthesize. It's even more
complex than the Kreb cycle.
If you apply foliar feed in the day the stomata are closed and cannot
take it up. The trick is to apply the feed in the evening as it is
getting
dark. You must be careful to apply it to the under side of the leaf only.
I use a 1 inch paint brush (sponge type) rather than a spray. It is
tedious
but it keeps the crown dry and puts the feed where it's needed, when it's
needed. You must be sure you have good air movement during the evening
hours as well. Good luck.
"Ray" wrote in message
...
I suspect that your plants could use some food!
Foliar feeding is not an important nutritional pathway for many orchids,
including phals.
--
Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
. . . . . . . . . . .
"gardenjan" wrote in message
news:K5N4b.324018$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.