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#16
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Questions from a beginning orchid grower
Chris,
Water when the surface of the moss is dry -- when you put the finger in deeper it should still be moist. If there is any doubt about whether the surface is dry, wait another day. Joanna "The Enigma" wrote in message .com... Mines in moss. So I feel the top of the mix in the pot and it feels dry by if I put my finger a little deeper it starts to get moist. It's been a week since I've watered it but I have misted it and I refill my well once every 2 days. When Should I water it? Thanks Chris "J Fortuna" wrote in message ... Chris, Welcome to the group and to Phals :-) Here are some answers to the best of my knowledge, which admitedly is limited, but is growing fast: Also I would encourage you to search the archives of this group http://groups.google.com/groups?grou...ardens.orchids Lots of useful advice has been given. Go to http://www.firstrays.com for information and materials for hydroponics. Do you have a window which you can place your Phal in? If so, grow lights may not be necessary for Phal, they need only low light, and too much light is not good. Me, I have to suplement the natural light with artificial, but that's only because all I have are northern windows shaded by huge trees outside, so that's too little light, but as long as you have more than that, try growing your Phals without a grow light for a while first. Only get grow lights if a) yoir Phal's leaves are too dark and it won't rebloom for you without the light; b) You want the flexibility of palcing the plant somewhere away from the window; or c) You want to get other orchids not just Phals. Opinions on how much to fertilize seem to vary, but my understanding is that either the lowest amount listed on the bottle or even half that should be enough. Too much fertilizer will be harmful, and will reduce your chance of reblooming. It's better to underfertilize than to overfertilize, just as it's better to water less frequently than to water too frequently. Water needs to be lukewarm, but not too warm. Why do you want to microwave it though? You can get lukewarm from the faucet, or put some water in a bottle and let it stand in room temp, and it will be lukewarm. I once heard that if you let the water stand, at least some of the minerals from the tap water will settle on the bottom, which may be a good thing. Misting is again a topic on which I found people are devided. One side of the debate argues that misting makes no difference, since you would have to mist constantly to make a noticable difference in humidity. Some people say that misting the leaves and roots in the morning simulates dew on the plant. Others are big fans of misting whenever they pass the plant. I have not heard anyone suggest adding fertilizer in the mister though. Most people say that it is best not to water by schedule, but rather to water when the plant needs it. If your Phal is potted in moss, touch the surface and water when the surface is dry. If it is in bark, check the weight of the pot in your hand until you can figure out how light it is when it needs water versus how heavy when just watered. Some claim this is easy, me I can't tell enough of a difference in weight to know for sure when to water, so for Phals in bark I check the weight, but also keep track of the schedule when each plant was last watered, and mostly water the big ones in bark every two weeks or so. Of course if you decide to repot in hydroponics or semi-hydro the watering schedule will change. It is best to water in the morning rather than in the evening, so that the leaves are dry by night. Pour a lot of water from above and let it drain well -- excess water should be removed from the tray, unless you have a humidity tray that is below the plant but the plant is not standing in the water. "The Enigma" wrote in message .com... I have been looking into growing orchids via hydroponics. What do you guys think? Any one know were I can get a small cheap system? Also grow lights for Phal? Help speed growth? Waste? What type should I get? If my orchid is blooming right now and the spike is still growing out with a small new bud should I fertilize? I got this Schultz orchid food that says 1/4 tsp for every gallon and then a book that says what ever the package says do half that amount who should I follow? Also can I add cold water to the plant or do I need to microwave it so it is lukewarm? Misting: How frequent do I mist? What part of the plant do I mist? How much should I mist? Should I have fertilizer in the mister? Watering about once a week right? How do I water, do I pour water all around the plant till I feel it's soaked then pour out the excess water in the tray? or do I add water to a tray and let it sit for 45 minutes? Or something else? Thanks Chris |
#17
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Questions from a beginning orchid grower
Chris,
Water when the surface of the moss is dry -- when you put the finger in deeper it should still be moist. If there is any doubt about whether the surface is dry, wait another day. Joanna "The Enigma" wrote in message .com... Mines in moss. So I feel the top of the mix in the pot and it feels dry by if I put my finger a little deeper it starts to get moist. It's been a week since I've watered it but I have misted it and I refill my well once every 2 days. When Should I water it? Thanks Chris "J Fortuna" wrote in message ... Chris, Welcome to the group and to Phals :-) Here are some answers to the best of my knowledge, which admitedly is limited, but is growing fast: Also I would encourage you to search the archives of this group http://groups.google.com/groups?grou...ardens.orchids Lots of useful advice has been given. Go to http://www.firstrays.com for information and materials for hydroponics. Do you have a window which you can place your Phal in? If so, grow lights may not be necessary for Phal, they need only low light, and too much light is not good. Me, I have to suplement the natural light with artificial, but that's only because all I have are northern windows shaded by huge trees outside, so that's too little light, but as long as you have more than that, try growing your Phals without a grow light for a while first. Only get grow lights if a) yoir Phal's leaves are too dark and it won't rebloom for you without the light; b) You want the flexibility of palcing the plant somewhere away from the window; or c) You want to get other orchids not just Phals. Opinions on how much to fertilize seem to vary, but my understanding is that either the lowest amount listed on the bottle or even half that should be enough. Too much fertilizer will be harmful, and will reduce your chance of reblooming. It's better to underfertilize than to overfertilize, just as it's better to water less frequently than to water too frequently. Water needs to be lukewarm, but not too warm. Why do you want to microwave it though? You can get lukewarm from the faucet, or put some water in a bottle and let it stand in room temp, and it will be lukewarm. I once heard that if you let the water stand, at least some of the minerals from the tap water will settle on the bottom, which may be a good thing. Misting is again a topic on which I found people are devided. One side of the debate argues that misting makes no difference, since you would have to mist constantly to make a noticable difference in humidity. Some people say that misting the leaves and roots in the morning simulates dew on the plant. Others are big fans of misting whenever they pass the plant. I have not heard anyone suggest adding fertilizer in the mister though. Most people say that it is best not to water by schedule, but rather to water when the plant needs it. If your Phal is potted in moss, touch the surface and water when the surface is dry. If it is in bark, check the weight of the pot in your hand until you can figure out how light it is when it needs water versus how heavy when just watered. Some claim this is easy, me I can't tell enough of a difference in weight to know for sure when to water, so for Phals in bark I check the weight, but also keep track of the schedule when each plant was last watered, and mostly water the big ones in bark every two weeks or so. Of course if you decide to repot in hydroponics or semi-hydro the watering schedule will change. It is best to water in the morning rather than in the evening, so that the leaves are dry by night. Pour a lot of water from above and let it drain well -- excess water should be removed from the tray, unless you have a humidity tray that is below the plant but the plant is not standing in the water. "The Enigma" wrote in message .com... I have been looking into growing orchids via hydroponics. What do you guys think? Any one know were I can get a small cheap system? Also grow lights for Phal? Help speed growth? Waste? What type should I get? If my orchid is blooming right now and the spike is still growing out with a small new bud should I fertilize? I got this Schultz orchid food that says 1/4 tsp for every gallon and then a book that says what ever the package says do half that amount who should I follow? Also can I add cold water to the plant or do I need to microwave it so it is lukewarm? Misting: How frequent do I mist? What part of the plant do I mist? How much should I mist? Should I have fertilizer in the mister? Watering about once a week right? How do I water, do I pour water all around the plant till I feel it's soaked then pour out the excess water in the tray? or do I add water to a tray and let it sit for 45 minutes? Or something else? Thanks Chris |
#18
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Questions from a beginning orchid grower
Chris,
Water when the surface of the moss is dry -- when you put the finger in deeper it should still be moist. If there is any doubt about whether the surface is dry, wait another day. Joanna "The Enigma" wrote in message .com... Mines in moss. So I feel the top of the mix in the pot and it feels dry by if I put my finger a little deeper it starts to get moist. It's been a week since I've watered it but I have misted it and I refill my well once every 2 days. When Should I water it? Thanks Chris "J Fortuna" wrote in message ... Chris, Welcome to the group and to Phals :-) Here are some answers to the best of my knowledge, which admitedly is limited, but is growing fast: Also I would encourage you to search the archives of this group http://groups.google.com/groups?grou...ardens.orchids Lots of useful advice has been given. Go to http://www.firstrays.com for information and materials for hydroponics. Do you have a window which you can place your Phal in? If so, grow lights may not be necessary for Phal, they need only low light, and too much light is not good. Me, I have to suplement the natural light with artificial, but that's only because all I have are northern windows shaded by huge trees outside, so that's too little light, but as long as you have more than that, try growing your Phals without a grow light for a while first. Only get grow lights if a) yoir Phal's leaves are too dark and it won't rebloom for you without the light; b) You want the flexibility of palcing the plant somewhere away from the window; or c) You want to get other orchids not just Phals. Opinions on how much to fertilize seem to vary, but my understanding is that either the lowest amount listed on the bottle or even half that should be enough. Too much fertilizer will be harmful, and will reduce your chance of reblooming. It's better to underfertilize than to overfertilize, just as it's better to water less frequently than to water too frequently. Water needs to be lukewarm, but not too warm. Why do you want to microwave it though? You can get lukewarm from the faucet, or put some water in a bottle and let it stand in room temp, and it will be lukewarm. I once heard that if you let the water stand, at least some of the minerals from the tap water will settle on the bottom, which may be a good thing. Misting is again a topic on which I found people are devided. One side of the debate argues that misting makes no difference, since you would have to mist constantly to make a noticable difference in humidity. Some people say that misting the leaves and roots in the morning simulates dew on the plant. Others are big fans of misting whenever they pass the plant. I have not heard anyone suggest adding fertilizer in the mister though. Most people say that it is best not to water by schedule, but rather to water when the plant needs it. If your Phal is potted in moss, touch the surface and water when the surface is dry. If it is in bark, check the weight of the pot in your hand until you can figure out how light it is when it needs water versus how heavy when just watered. Some claim this is easy, me I can't tell enough of a difference in weight to know for sure when to water, so for Phals in bark I check the weight, but also keep track of the schedule when each plant was last watered, and mostly water the big ones in bark every two weeks or so. Of course if you decide to repot in hydroponics or semi-hydro the watering schedule will change. It is best to water in the morning rather than in the evening, so that the leaves are dry by night. Pour a lot of water from above and let it drain well -- excess water should be removed from the tray, unless you have a humidity tray that is below the plant but the plant is not standing in the water. "The Enigma" wrote in message .com... I have been looking into growing orchids via hydroponics. What do you guys think? Any one know were I can get a small cheap system? Also grow lights for Phal? Help speed growth? Waste? What type should I get? If my orchid is blooming right now and the spike is still growing out with a small new bud should I fertilize? I got this Schultz orchid food that says 1/4 tsp for every gallon and then a book that says what ever the package says do half that amount who should I follow? Also can I add cold water to the plant or do I need to microwave it so it is lukewarm? Misting: How frequent do I mist? What part of the plant do I mist? How much should I mist? Should I have fertilizer in the mister? Watering about once a week right? How do I water, do I pour water all around the plant till I feel it's soaked then pour out the excess water in the tray? or do I add water to a tray and let it sit for 45 minutes? Or something else? Thanks Chris |
#19
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Questions from a beginning orchid grower
Should I fertilize it also if the spike is still growing out and a bud is
forming? When people say new growth do they mean leaves or flowers? Thanks Chris |
#20
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Questions from a beginning orchid grower
Should I fertilize it also if the spike is still growing out and a bud is
forming? When people say new growth do they mean leaves or flowers? Thanks Chris |
#21
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Questions from a beginning orchid grower
Should I fertilize it also if the spike is still growing out and a bud is
forming? When people say new growth do they mean leaves or flowers? Thanks Chris |
#22
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Questions from a beginning orchid grower
Should I fertilize it also if the spike is still growing out and a bud is
forming? When people say new growth do they mean leaves or flowers? Thanks Chris |
#23
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Questions from a beginning orchid grower
Roots
-- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. . . . . . . . . . . "The Enigma" wrote in message . com... Should I fertilize it also if the spike is still growing out and a bud is forming? When people say new growth do they mean leaves or flowers? Thanks Chris |
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