Fertilizer Questions

[espranch]

I'm sure you did a great job, Sam. If the "dying" one had four roots, it will come back. Now...do not water for seven to ten days! Betty :-)

[HHLL38]

Alright, no water till next week.

I used some sphagnum on the bottom like someone had recommended and i had to soak it to make it pliable, should I extend my no watering?

[espranch]

Personally, I NEVER use sphagnum moss on the bottom...I use lava rocks for good drainage. However, that is just MY opinion. Soooooooooooo, yes, I definately would wait ten days to water. It fact, if they were mine, I'd re-pot them, using lava rocks for good drainage. Did you know that more orchids are killed by too much water...rather than too little? As I said...just my opinion...Good luck, Betty

[HHLL38]

Well, I suppose i'll just have to see how it works out. So far so good, in so much as that they haven't spontaneously combusted or anything.

It was my understanding that Phals enjoy being a little moist all the time, no?

And Paphs like to dry out completely?

[HHLL38]

Here are some pictures I took:

[HHLL38]

And of the two healthy plants flowers:

[HHLL38]

I have no problem watering constantly, I treat my orchids as if they were my children.

I just can't figure out if/when i'm watering too much/too little.

I'm a bit, as if anyone couldn't tell by my abundance of questions, an obsessive perfectionist, with orchids being my latest focus.

So, watering it is then? Someone mentioned i shouldn't be watering.

[opaline]

Hi Sam. To understand the balance of watering take a look at them in the wild as 'epiphytes'. They come from habitats of high humidity so take what they want from the air. When it rains the rainwater dribbles over the roots as they are clinging to the bark. The roots absorb what they need from the direct contact remembering that the falling water is collect nutrients as it washes over decaying organic matter.. Air circulation is constant so the roots breathe and dont rot in still stagnant wet conditions. Strike that medium or as close to and your on the right track.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Sam. To understand the balance of watering take a look at them in the wild as 'epiphytes'. They come from habitats of high humidity so take what they want from the air. When it rains the rainwater dribbles over the roots as they are clinging to the bark. The roots absorb what they need from the direct contact remembering that the falling water is collect nutrients as it washes over decaying organic matter.. Air circulation is constant so the roots breathe and dont rot in still stagnant wet conditions. Strike that medium or as close to and your on the right track.

Very well said, Matt!

cheers,
BD

[HHLL38]

Hi Sam. To understand the balance of watering take a look at them in the wild as 'epiphytes'. They come from habitats of high humidity so take what they want from the air. When it rains the rainwater dribbles over the roots as they are clinging to the bark. The roots absorb what they need from the direct contact remembering that the falling water is collect nutrients as it washes over decaying organic matter.. Air circulation is constant so the roots breathe and dont rot in still stagnant wet conditions. Strike that medium or as close to and your on the right track.

So, I really should mount them? If I want to simulate the conditions they're grown in the jungle/wherever. I think I could do that with my sickly one and the smaller one, but my other one has grown quite large.

So, repotting without sphag would be best? Watering them now or waiting until the 7 days are up as they look thirsty?

Questions, questions.