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Thread: when to fertilize a repotted phal orchid plant

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  1. #1
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    Default when to fertilize a repotted phal orchid plant

    When do you start fertilizing a repotted phal.. plant? I had to trim a goodbit of mushy roots. I t was a new plant.also, would regular fertilizer be best or the worm tea?
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  2. #2
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    After several new roots have properly anchored the plant to the pot.

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    worm tea or any organic stuff in low concentration would be ok. I would avoid inorganic fertilizer till new roots grow.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ksriramkumar View Post
    I would avoid inorganic fertilizer till new roots grow.
    May I ask why you think that?

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    I have a reasonable success with organic fertilizers (seaweed extrat/humid acid/fish emulsion) on sick orchids. organic fertilizers have always helped me in lower doses and have had not so good recovery experience with inorganic ones (regular 19 all I use) even at very low dose (~50 ppm) and usual ph of around 6 i maintain during normal fertilization

    I have not experimented with a control group to back-it with statistics as I don't have too many plants but would be worth it.

  6. #6
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    Ray Barkalow
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    The nutrient ions absorbed by the plant are the same, whether the source is organic of inorganic, so I suspect that success or failure is a matter of the details of the additives, and not merely the organic/inorganic difference.

    For example, the organic combination you mention may be adding root-growth stimulating hormones that are not in the fertilizer. They would surely have a positive effect.

    I have not used a so-called "organic" fertilizer in 40+ years of growing, and my plants do fine. Over the last couple of years, I do add KelpMax to it on a periodic basis, especially when repotting, but is it specifically sold as a root-stimulating hormone additive (with lots of scientific studies to back up it's effectiveness), and is NOT a fertilizer.

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    I agree with you ray. I meant to convey the use of seaweed extrat/humid acid/fish emulsion as a additive.

  8. #8
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    I would sure try the Kelp Max for a newly repotted orchid. Since I started to use that, many of my plants have responded really well. Which reminds me, I want to use it with the next watering as I've several getting established in new pots...

  9. #9
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    Thank you for your prompt answer. I understand because it has justt one small root I should water very lightly right?
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  10. #10
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    Well, Phals don't like soggy roots, so you can water the root when it gets dry. Don't let the media become soggy and stay wet though and don't get water in the crown.

    The plant won't take up a lot of water with one root and will benefit from lower stress - keep the light moderate and the humidity fairly high and give it some air movement. Phals do like warmth at the root area and it might benefit from a heating mat. I found the Kelp Max to help my plants (not just orchids) to put out roots and be more vigorous, so that could be helpful when you do water.

    Beyond that, give it time and try not to mess with it unless you see a real need might well give it a chance to recover. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. I like trying to rescue orchids myself, I find it very rewarding if they come around, I hope yours does!

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