Phal. with 3 spikes

[Tikva]

I'm very excited to have found a Phal with the coloring I have loved but never bought yet - with THREE spikes. I'm very excited!
My goal of course is to grow a huge strong amazing Phal. - my plan of action is to enjoy the blooms until they drop, then to cut them all the way back, repot, and care for it as usual.... should I do anything different? Should I know any secrets to making a plant more than stay alive, but grow and grow and grow?
Thanks :c)

[orchid-man]

it's just a general cultural thing .Having the conditions right,I was brought with phalies require 70% shade,70% humidity and 70 degrees farenheight(sp).
They also apperiate regular feeding of a say 10:10:10 fert at about 1/4 strength weekly.

[Diane]

70, 70, 70 - - I never heard that before - - that's a good one!

[orchid-man]

when you look at it that 3 70's is very much correct

[Piper]

I actually grow my Phals in near Catt light, and they go nuts. But northern New England light is pretty woosy. Kirstie (aka Tikva is just north of me.)

70% shade here is reserved for mushrooms!

Julie

[Tikva]

ROFL..... Funny Piper :c)
Yeah, there is only so much I can do... humidity seems to be about 50% these days.... I guess I'll do what I can and just be pleased if I get it to rebloom haha! :c)

[Kelcey]

Orchid-man, I have a question or two. How do you know if a plant is getting 70% shade and humidity? And what does 10:10:10 mean? I haven't fed my Phal yet because I haven't had time to buy any food for it. I want to buy the right kind of stuff. What should I buy and how do I feed it 10:10:10?

All of my blooms just dropped, so I'm about to repot as well. Also, I've named my orchid Virginia.

[orchid-man]

Orchid-man, I have a question or two. How do you know if a plant is getting 70% shade and humidity? And what does 10:10:10 mean? I haven't fed my Phal yet because I haven't had time to buy any food for it. I want to buy the right kind of stuff. What should I buy and how do I feed it 10:10:10?

All of my blooms just dropped, so I'm about to repot as well. Also, I've named my orchid Virginia.

Hi
Lets see if I can get this right,(have a diferent fert. coding here in New Zealand).The system that is used where you are is described in parts per million,and here its percentage.Basically a 10:10:10 fert would be low in nitrogen,phosphurous and potassium(potash),and classed as a fert to be used at flowering time .It can also be called a blossom booster.A 20:20:20 would be classed as high in nitrogen and would be used during the growing season.
To give you an example I will refere to what I use ,but it will be in percentage and not the patrs per million, in the order of Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassiim or N/P/K.
Growing 27:5.5:9
Flowering 15:4:26

To use the fert.If they say 1 teaspoon to 1 gallon you would put ,1/2 teaspoon to 1 gallon ,as full strenght is too strong for the plants.

70% light and humidity.

the easyest way to get the humidity and light is to buy the appropriate meters.I use an electronic meter that measures light and measure the light outside my shadehouse and then measure the light inside .The inside light level should be 30% of what it was outside.If you are growing with a covering that covers the whole growing area(walls and roof)a quick reference is .If you hold your hand about 12inches above the plant ,there should be a slight shadow.

I dont bother checking the humidity here as it never falls below 60%.But them one could buy a hydrometer and hang that in the growing area.

[Diane]

Kelcey - a good general purpose fertilizer that many people use in the potting media (it's time released little pills) is a 13-13-13 that you can get at the big home improvement stores. Also many orchid supply places carry it as well. I use a LIGHT amount of the dry when I repot, and still use liquid fertilizer for bloom or growth every other watering depending on the plant and season.

If you want some specific brand names, PM me.

[Kelcey]

Thank you so much. That helps a TON!