Store Bought Phalaenopsis - Pt 5 Watering and Feeding

[@laurazubella2543]

Thanks I just found your fertilizer products you use . I have ordered it thanks

[@sylviabeichert943]

It's the 1st time I've heard someone saying to leave the repotted plant to dry for a few days to let cut root ends callous over. Makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the advice.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

You're welcome.

[@YnseSchaap]

Have to agree with the comments below, this is the most comprehensive care guide you've done so far (if I didn't know any better I would think you own a nursery)

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

A dream - but too old to start a new business now.

[@YnseSchaap]

@@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai 😁 I think i missed something along those lines as well

[@tess140]

Roger, I always feel like I'm taking a masterclass in orchids when I watch your videos. I especially appreciate your humorous, basic approach with the technical information about water quality and fertillzers. This series will be my "go-to" recommendation when asked for advice about that first orchid purchase.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@wilairat26atoady]

Fantastic series of Videos, in my opinion for a new Orchid growers or just a few at home - "You nailed It". Well Done once again.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@barbaradoyle9388]

Roger, you are a good teacher. Love your instructions on all orchids.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@kimmatlock2096]

Thank you for your time in making these videos, the knowledge you share and your just a joy to watch.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@richardwilliams3302]

I really enjoy the way you ‘present’. I hope you find your Oncidium alliance orchids this weekend so I can follow that series as well. Also looking forward to the project orchids update. I don’t know how you do it all, there must be more than 24 hours in a UK day 😁 Thank you for your generosity in sharing so much.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Organisation - the only way for a busy life. (The trip is next week-end)

[@MelissaWalker82]

Love this series. I’ll be sharing it with new growing friends as well. Thanks again, Roger!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

You're welcome.

[@kenethrandy7412]

Lovely phal

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@victoriabrownfrank4328]

Good information

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@yourteacher458]

Words of wisdom.Thank you!

[@sparkyjoes]

I was so relieved to see what fertilizer you use. My MSU formula fertilizer is supposed to arrive tomorrow. It’s been over a year since I got my first ever orchids; a couple of phalaenopsis. I never repotted them or gave them any food, except what nitrates and other nutrients are in the water I use, which is “dirty” water from when I clean my freshwater aquariums. Somehow my orchids survived and actually spiked for me this spring. I decided that since they survived my abuse, they should do great with some proper care. Your videos are excellent! You’re a great teacher and very entertaining.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@barbfroede1343]

You are an excellent teacher! Thank you Roger! Cannot wait for the oncidiums!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks and you're welcome.

[@Rockdoc2174]

My tap-water is classed as medium hard. We don’t have to descale regularly but we don’t have trouble rinsing either. I’ve never used water straight from the tap but, until a few months ago when I fitted a water butt, I used water I’ve taken from one of my aquaria. My plants get a soak unless the pot is too big for the jugs I use. The tanks are filled with mains water but it’s passed through a carbon filter first. It will have had some nitrate content. For a long time I used the little plastic spikes containing fertiliser and the plants, as you put it, survived and my Phals rebloomed regularly. Once I expanded my collection I had to change to a different fertiliser and I chose Orchid Focus, which I still use. I used the aquarium water until I had rainwater available but haven’t seen a change in my Phals since I swapped over. In terms of frequency I check most days and water when I think they’re ready, as you do. The size of pot makes a huge difference so a small one needs doing more often than a big one and a clay pot of any size more often again.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

That's one of the problems I've found with putting Oncidium types in small pots - great root systems but dry out very fast.

[@brigittejohnson1285]

I’m really enjoying this series. There is something new to be gleaned from each video.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@barbaradessel2625]

Thank you for the tip on the changing height of the sun. I have really noticed the change in the past two weeks. What was great in July is harmful in August. Been shifting about but will put back in the winter months because the sun will be welcome on those very short middle New York State days!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

It's all about keep our eye on any changes.

[@juliashearer7842]

Hi Roger, I am new to your channel and really enjoying your videos. The information you give about light in this video is so comprehensive (along with the very useful information on watering and feeding), I wonder if it would be a good idea to include light in the title of this video? Also, I recently watched your video on repotting a new zygo, I can't remember how old that video was. Was there an update on the zygo's progress? Thank you.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

My Zygos are not doing well - they are included in one the 'Orchid Mix' recent vids - pt 2 I think which will be posted soon.

[@miche7032]

Enjoyable video, especially the part on fertilizer. Thank you for sharing & showing. Happy growing 😊

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@blancaacosta333]

Just when I thought they couldn't get any better. Wonderful, easy to follow for the slow ones like me. Lol. Now about the phal which came with two plants in the same pot, are they identical phals? What I am asking is if the nurseries pot up the same seedlings all at one time, or is it possible a variety of phalaenopsis get potted up and mixed in together? You may a complete different phalaenopsis growing there.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

When the orchids are taken out of the flasks and potted, often two are just stuck together and they just don't have time to mess about so two end up in the same pot. It's unlikely that different types would be being worked on together, so probably both the same plants in this case.

[@liz3putt]

Is there any ‘feed’ in that water?

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

As I said and showed in the video, yes.

[@liz3putt]

@@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai oh I am sorry I must have missed that. What feed did you use please?

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

MSU and Calcium Nitrate.

[@ROlson-dx2jc]

What quantities?

[@nicolegilbert4950]

Roger, as always most interesting video!!!!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@haylinmilsam]

Excellent video! ❤️

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Thanks.

[@angelbabesuz1612]

Fascinating stuff :) I looked up the American Website for that fertilizer and was going to buy some, even although I only need a small amount, but at the end it said they don't ship to UK? So can you recommend a good fertiliser I can buy here Richard?

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

This is the latest MSU feriliser I bought - still from the States and the postage was quite high but for a 2lb bag that will feed 250 orchids for at least 2 years, well worth it. : www.ebay.co.uk/usr/tezulaplants?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

[@laurazubella2543]

Can I mix a gallon or half and keep it till used up if covered

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

I was advised that when mixed up, it will keep for a short time - some also say no. I use a TDS meter and mix up fresh every time mixing just the amount I need.

[@martinavelasco7421]

I really enjoy your videos Roger! Love them, since my surgery I've been watching all of your videos. I love them. I have learned so much! I have a question, can store bought orchids be okay with tap water when adding the fertilizer? My tap water's pH is about 7 or 7.5. Not sure what else is in the water. I also am curious, I've seen other videos of other youtubers that also mention organic fertilier for example aloe vera. Have you used it before?

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Tap water can vary a huge amount with both a TDS reading and Ph. I've been using those meters for years now and am happy to do so. My tap water has a TDS of about 270 - if I then added my normal fertiliser levels, it would be about 450. That may be just about ok for some, but far too strong for those low feeders and those with sensitive roots. I only use standard type fertilisers (man-made) as I know exactly what's in them. Most fertilisers lower the Ph but not all.

[@wendyc8815]

Sorry, off this particular topic, but wanted to suggest a video idea. If you ever have an oncidium with climbing PBs, a how to repot video would be great!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

I would probably mount one that persistently grew that way.

[@wendyc8815]

Ahhhh! That would solve it!

[@cathlightfoot9629]

Hi Roger This is a great video I have never been able to keep Phalaenopsis they all just die.Wales it will be so interesting Also I didn’t spray the roots with hypo, I only repotted them 2 days ago? Should just leave them?

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

The H2O2 spray is just a precaution - not essential.

[@YnseSchaap]

Consider me new to Phaleanopsis 😁

[@oakesbiddulph29]

I think this series is an excellent idea. However, I am sorry to say you are mistaken about the need for microbial action before an orchid can use ammonia or urea. Both compounds are absorbed directly by the orchid roots in particular and plant roots in general.. Nitrate is quickly assimilated, but this is not the complete view of nitrate metabolism. Nitrate metabolism is costly in terms of energetics. Two important products of photosynthesis are chemical energy (ATP molecules) and reducing power (NADPH molecules). Nitrate in quickly absorbed because the molecule is actively transported which requires ATP. The usable form of nitrogen for a plant is ammonia, so NADPH is expended reducing the nitrate. Nitrate assimilation and reduction has a real cost to a plant's metabolism because the process consumes 12 to 30% of the photosynthetically captured energy in a 24 hour period. The reality of nitrogen nutrition is that the salt forms of nitrogen play a minor role in the nutrition of a plant; ammonia and nitrate are typically about 10% of total nitrogen (a bit more in tropical soils). Plants absorb large nitrogen containing molecules left by the micro and macroscopic life. I am a plant breeder by profession and an orchid grower for 45 years, but 15 years ago I started working to reconcile what I know about plant nutrition, soil fertility and how I fertilize my orchids. Today, the nitrogen needs of my plants are met by 5 ppm urea (calculated) and 160 ppm amino acid nitrogen (calculated).

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Your out on a limb - going against everything else that research has turned up. I will run with the majority, not the one. Back this up with some actual articles (links) and I may read them but they need to be up to date. Coming out with stand-alone ideas without back up when controversial is not going to wash here. btw - we don't grow orchids in SOIL!

[@oakesbiddulph29]

Perhaps I can coax you onto the limb. I like the view: I can see for miles. Thank you for reminding me orchids do not grow in soil, but I have found over the years that "so above so below" applies. I am unclear as to what research I am going against. I repeated basic plant physiology and I do not contest that nitrogen salts can grow and flower an orchid. I question what methods are best practice given new knowledge. I am not alone by any means; I appear a lonely guy among orchid growers.. What follows are a short list of videos and articles you might find interesting. A talk given by Rick Haney, inventor of a novel means of determining total nitrogen available to a crop. Though interesting, at 31 minutes a slide of N-containing compounds available to plants in soil is shown. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqDFkmh4ltyVnJo This is a recent paper comparing different approaches to fertilization of orchids. One method is similar to my own. More importantly, Introduction, and Results and Discussion contain references to papers on urea and amino acid absorption and use by orchids. Just for reference my basic fertilizer is DIY micronutrients + scary sources of N + organic sources for Ca and P + inorganic K and Mg + fulvic acid + chitin + microbes. www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/hortj/87/4/87_OKD-148/_html/-char/ja An empirical example of amino acids at work. At about 34:30 minutes Ron Wallace talks about his feeding regime to produce one ton pumpkins. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmKuaHqYpNOhoLs A talk divided into two parts that gives an excellent summation of modern concepts of plant nutrition and fertilization. The presentation is in relation to increasing nutrient density (for humans), but is applicable to raising healthy plants in general. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqO7mK14qLV6mtE kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3ytmWWZlt9jos0

[@YnseSchaap]

Oxygen ? don't you mean Carbon Dioxide

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

I think the roots take in oxygen and the leaves take in CO2.

[@YnseSchaap]

@@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai hmmm have to check that😁

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

Could be more complicated than that - the leaves certainly take in 'air' - all of it and the roots need air but air has moisture in it H2O so there's oxygen in that too. My memory of basic stuff from school-days is a bit vague.

[@YnseSchaap]

@@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai My school was basically how to mow grass and milk cows, nothing to deep (I hated it, didn't finish)

[@YnseSchaap]

@@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai Found this just now and you're right One very important function of epiphytic roots is the exchange of gases, mostly to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, so they enjoy being exposed to moving fresh air. now I understand the need for moving air