Most commonly asked questions about the water culture growing method for Phalenopsis orchids!

[@suecollis9388]

That looks sooo beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@frankcamerpesci5269]

I really love orchids im happy to learn more tips thanks for more info...

[@ritaoschmann6630]

Your presentation are so valuable. It took a while to get it. After watching listening and writing down your products and the number of drops I feel confident at growing my orchids and Christmas cactus. Thank you

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Glad it was helpful, Rita! Happy growing! :)

[@markma3005]

Wonderful info. The two spikes on my water culture phalaenopsis are growing longer and longer! Will be expecting to see blooms around late winter.

[@lauralarios423]

Thank you for the videos. How long do you leave the fertilizer in the water media ? Do you change the water in the media and how often? God blessed you. Thank you

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Laura! I have a playlist on my channel about WC that will help you...the most recent videos go over your questions in detail. Blessings! Amy

[@sharonholmes4444]

Another good one Amy! I started this addiction😊three months ago. I always wanted water plants and therefore put "all" my new orchids in semi water culture. This was before I found you. Yes, you're right it's a lot of time consumption/work. Then...I really went out on a limb and rescued a cascade phal (my third) on the discount table. It had five blooms and a 1" new spike off the original spike (this phal is huge btw) Blooms are fading and dropped three but this little 1" spike is now 10" with five healthy buds! So exciting! It only has three leaves, however, they are luscious and thick. Q...After the original blooms drop should I cut the original spike back to 1" above the new spike w/buds? I am using your fertilizer recipe to a "T" all the time with fantastic results thus far. Sorry so long. Az🌵😎🌵Really enjoyed your vacation videos, thanks again.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Sharon and thank you so much! :) It sounds like your Phals in water culture are doing really well...congratulations! I'm so happy to hear that the fertilizer recipe is working for them! :)) I have a video about what I do with Phal spikes...here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZO9fXppq9l-fMk Happy growing! Amy

[@sharonholmes4444]

@@OrchidWhisperer Thank you! You are absolutely wonderfull! I think I've watched most of your videos on water culture That one I missed. 🌵😎🌵

[@margaretclark6758]

Thank you for your advice, I will try that as soon as I get some mossx😁

[@Linda60ism]

Amy, your plants are so healthy, so beautiful! You doing an amazing job!! Amy, few of my WC orchids have 2 very yellow leaves despite me using fertilizers you suggested for winter. What can i do better for them? I do 3 wet, 1 dry days. Am i doing something wrong? Not enough? Thank you so much!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Linda and thanks so much for your sweet comment! :) How long have these orchids been in WC? Some phals really like WC, and some don't. And it's really not reflective of anything you've done wrong. So if they continue to lose leaves, I would place them back in the medium of your choice. I had to convert several of mine into NZ sphagnum moss last year, and they have rebounded and are thriving. Happy growing!

[@cachef1]

Amy another informative video. I have a question regarding the proper time to use the “bloom” formulas rather than the “grow” formula fertilizer - such as your Better Grow “Grow” or Better Grow “Bloom”. Do you begin using the bloom formula as soon as you see a bloom spike emerging or when the spike actually begins to bloom. Do you alternate between the “grow” and “bloom” formulas when a plant it blooming. One nursery where I used to live used the “grow” formula for 3 weeks and on the 4th week they use the “bloom” formula as their routine. What is your take on this and your experiences? Thanks again and happy growing though all of your orchids seem very happy in their Tennessee home🤗.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi James! I don't use a bloom formula anymore. I haven't for about 2 years, and I'm really happy with the results. I believe they're getting plenty of P and K with the Better Gro Orchid Plus, and I want to keep my fertilizing routine as simple as possible. Thanks always for watching and for your kind words! Happy growing! :)

[@cachef1]

Thanks. Excellent idea

[@margespenst]

Hello again, question, I transferred 9 of my 15 Phals. Into water culture. Most seem to love it, 3 smaller phals who didn't have good roots are slow in getting accustom but they are producing new roots. I am not getting upset yet. I am keeping them in water Sat. - Thurs. out for Fri. Do you think it would be better your way or my way will work?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi! I think if they're doing well, I would keep the schedule you're doing. There's really no "right" or "wrong" schedule...it's what works for them in your environment. Happy growing!

[@margespenst]

I thought maybe 6 days in water is to long. I will keep watch and change to your idea if need be. I am very new to water culture, so will try different ideas. I am liking yours.......thanks so much

[@sharonholmes4444]

@@margespenst Amy has a recent video out about...only 3 days in water at a time cause the pH changes. It's very interesting!

[@lyndahollins2881]

wow she is beautiful. I have a tiny one that I might try water culture. do I have to wash all the medium off thoroughly ? and in fertilizer water or plain mineral water

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Lynda! Yes, it's really important to wash all the medium off the roots thoroughly before placing them in WC. Here's a link to my latest fertilizing and care regimen for winter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6CVm3ucpr18h7M Happy growing!

[@4chappels]

Hi Amy - Your videos are so helpful! I recently put three old phals into water culture to see if I can get them to grow some nice roots. They hardly had any root system left. Thank you for the link to your fertilizer formula for water culture. Tammy in Alabama.

[@padminipooladi9623]

Thanks

[@TheBrokenDoll6]

I have had my orchids in water culture for along time now but no improvement. I am really interested in trying your fertilizer methods but have to buy most of the materials to do so. I do happen to have some liquid seaweed extract but no real way to measure it out. Would following your method of 20 (or maybe less) drops per gallon be an alright method to start out with until I do get all the materials? I just came across your channel and have so many questions that you'll probably see me posting on many of your videos. xD

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi! You can try the seaweed extract on just one of your orchids to start and see how it does. It's really meant to be used as a supplement with regular orchid fertilizer, tho. Happy growing!

[@TheBrokenDoll6]

@@OrchidWhisperer Thanks so much for the advice. Hopefully I am not asking too many questions on your videos. :)

[@margaretclark6758]

Regarding my black roots should I try and cut them away if I do that I will only be left with the stem.As for spagnum moss should it be very wet or slightly damp thanks again

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Margaret! You should cut the roots away if they're squishy. The NZ sphagnum moss should just be damp, not very wet. Happy growing!

[@margaretclark6758]

Thanks again as you can see from my questions I am somewhat of a novi e

[@Emily-qk7ht]

What do you do when the leaves go all droopy and wrinkled but roots are still growing well?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Emily! That's a sign that it needs to go into some NZ sphagnum moss. It will make the leaves plump up again in no time. Happy growing!

[@trangson998]

So it’s in fertilizer everyday except dry days right?

[@JohnJames.]

starting water culture, I left the roots, as is for the moment, to try to let new ones grow first, before I remove the unsightly ones. the plant was growing in really tight spagnum, so the roots grow, then stop and gets skinny then fat. Or cut off the black even if it's in the middle and the ends are nice?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi John! If the root is squishy, then cut it back. Happy growing!

[@johnny31623]

hello, I want to ask that so far your orchids in water culture are all complex hybrids (which we can get from normal garden center and supermarket), do you have any species such as Phal Belina, Schilleriana etc... that grows in water culture? Thank you.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi and thanks so much for your question! I don't have any species Phals in water culture, and I really don't recommend them for water culture. Species Phals are usually much more expensive than the complex hybrids and they're also harder to replace. Happy growing and have a great day!

[@flowercat812]

Thank you for the video! I have a question for you that I am personally dying to know!!! Do you grow anything else but Orchids?? Was in Walmart today and saw the bare root roses are out. I just bought a $5 daffodil in a pot, it's beautiful! Do you plant bulbs and grow flowers? How about Ivy w/ your green thumb do you have an awesome Ivy plant growing wildly somewhere? When it warms up I would love to see a video of any other types of plants and/or flowers you grow or anything in your yard thats thriving! Again thanks for taking your time I hope you had a great vacay but I am glad you're back home making Orchid videos haha! Take care!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi and thanks so much for your sweet comment! Yes, I grow all different kinds of plants! Last summer I did many videos of my roses, Lantana, herb garden, hummingbirds....I like doing outside videos when it's warm. :) Thanks for letting me know you enjoy this kind of thing as well...as soon as there's something in the yard growing, I'll be making videos outside again! Happy growing! Amy

[@caysonreign2079]

instaBlaster

[@cyndyfisher]

Love your videos!! One of my water culture has spiked since I started your fall fertilizer routine. On 4 days, dry 2 days. If I understand correctly I will stop fertilizer when blooms?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Cyndy and thanks so much for your sweet comment! Yes I do fertilize them while they're in bud and bloom...here's a link to the video with the recipe: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5rElZmvqd6Gbck Happy growing! Amy

[@rickmaue5866]

I have a Phal that is completely healthy has gotten 3 new leaves I fertilize regularly yet it refuses to spike any thoughts?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Rick! I'm going to do a video about this...it's a question I'm asked frequently, so I'll go into detail. Thanks so much for watching!

[@jessiewang4201]

Hi Orchid Whisperer! I have a question about fertilization. I use one third of the fertilizers on instruction. Then I always use this fertilized water to water my orchids, I never just use pure water. I water my orchids whenever the media looks completely dry. Do you think this idea is bad?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Jessie! I recommend you water your orchids with just pure water--no fertilizer added--about 1 or 2 times per month. This prevents salt build-up in your pots that can lead to root burn. Happy growing!

[@jessiewang4201]

@@OrchidWhisperer Thank you for the suggestion! Sure will do that! It is also always delightful to watch your videos!

[@kellyduguay3368]

Great video. Your phalaenopsis are looking fabulous. I do not have any WC orchids any more, I have several semi hydro (lecca, gravel, stones and or lava) which I soak once every 7 to 10 days, then drain. Living in the northern part of New England, I worry about leaving my orchids in the water during the winter months, I let the temperature drop in my plant room to the mid 50s most nights, I fear the wet roots would rot (I lost many roots two years ago). What is the temperature in your growing space during the night? Also, where does your water come from? I have well water, and it's quite hard so most of my water is captured rain or melted snow ATM.... Thanks, Kelly

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Kelly! The temp in my grow room is about 65-67 degrees at night. I use reverse osmosis triple filtered water. Have a great day and happy growing!

[@margaretclark6758]

The phal I have had hardly roots I am trying water culture but what roots I have are turning black help!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Margaret! It sounds like your Phal needs to be repotted into New Zealand sphagnum moss. Happy growing!

[@jessiewang4201]

Where are youuu Amy! We are worried and miss you!!

[@georgevega962]

One of my Phals has these little sticky droplets on its leaves... Never seen that before... Any idea what it might be?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

I'm not sure what this could be...I've never had this happen before. Happy growing!

[@allynestalita4730]

@@OrchidWhisperer hello what do you use for the leaves to be shiny. Thanks and God bless.

[@myhandmadejournals]

I have two phals in water culture since May. The answer to your questions is no. They're just living but not growing. But I never fertilized them either. Should I bring them back to medium or just try with addition of fertilizer? Thanks a lot 😊

[@cyndyfisher]

Laura Bertucci I started her recommended fertilizer schedule this fall & see a big difference & got a spike!

[@sharonholmes4444]

@@cyndyfisher I got the darkest greenest leaves and roots, OMG you've ever seen w/Amy's recipes!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Laura! I would definitely fertilize them and see what happens. I think you'll be pleased with the results! :) Happy growing! Amy

[@myhandmadejournals]

Orchid Whisperer great! I will definitely try and update you. Thank you 😊

[@myhandmadejournals]

Cyndy Fisher I will for sure. I have a balanced fertilizer now. I think I will start will that then see what happens. Thanks 🙏🏻