Just a brief description of why I grow in inert medias, and what Im feeding with.......I will show more mixing of nutrients as I continue to grow outside....
Thank you for explaining. I really appreciate that you keep mentioning about confidence. Every time I water, I would be so afraid that I was doing something very wrong. My confidence level is getting better--thanks to your videos. Please don't stop. 😊
Hi Rick! Look at your beautiful vegetable garden...I am stunned every time you show it...wow! And the amount of growth you're seeing in your orchids is equally as stunning. Thanks for your expertise in explaining nutrients. Such an important and sometimes equally as puzzling topic. Everyone fertilizes differently, and it can be overwhelming. But you break it down so it's comprehensible. Thanks so much for your videos...many blessings to you and Jan! 😇
Sir Rick! 🥰 I love your garden and the harvest bearing beds! I remember when I had a veggie / kitchen garden and, other than growing orchids, it was such a satisfying space. Picking things for a salad, herbs and such perfumed by the warmth of the sun... homegrown, there is nothing better!! Thank you for sharing the vista and for the memories. Also, thank you again for such an informative breakdown of nutrients 🤗 to see your shade house 2.0 made me do cartwheels around the patio 🥳 beautiful work!! Thank you, also, so much for your kind shout out! It is awkward for me to ask for help, but being isolated by YT in Europe, every kind mention directed at my channel is so greatly appreciated! Thank you for being so gracious 🫶🏼🥲 wishing you and your camera lady a beautiful Friday 🫶🏼❤
@@rickl.orchids If I may, the stream is scheduled for tomorrow 05/18 at probably 08:30 am your time. I do not want you to think that I cancelled anything. i can't stream during the day on Fridays, and have opted to go with Saturdays if I can. 🫶🏼
Hi, Rick! Thank you for this great and informative video. It is so wonderful that you are back and sharing your wisdom so generously. That shadehouse is fantastic! Quite an inspiration! Take care!😊
Thank you Rick for going over the nutrients again. It is a subject that is very important. You got more rain coming! Glad you are doing well. May God bless-later
Wow, what a great nutrition talk, Rick! It must may be your best one yet. Thank you for getting into it with us again. I've missed it and appreciate the refresher. These reminders are great! Happy growing!
I second the notion of not constantly changing ferts. I wasted a bunch of time worrying about not having the best fertilizer, supplaments, etc. Finding something that you'r comfortable with and works with your conditions will always be the best method
Nice to have you Back with all of us! You sound so good! God's Peace be with you. Many times someone on my channel mentions you so I have to tell you! You are making a lot of People happy Love Carolyn
Hi Rick! It’s so funny how I was thinking of u ! May your Garden bring u love and joy. May God protect you and your beautiful family. I can’t wait for your next video!
I have huge Texas Rat Snake crawling at my grow spaces few days ago. Lol… it spooked me so bad. My husband told me it is not venomous snake. I said, it might not venomous but I will die for heart attack… 🤣🤣🤣 As always, very informative. I used to use cal mag and liquid seaweeds when I just started growing orchids and it always give my plants root rot, cane rot, and even kills my orchids. So I thought about not using those fertilizers. I just simply water them with pure water. And they grew more better doing so. But then I realized whenever I received orchids and plants purchased online, I always saw slow release fertilizer. So, I thought maybe I should use that instead. And it also turns good. So I stick into it since. Oh, I also checked my water ph level and everything, and it is actually just right. I don’t really need to put anything in it. Thank you so much for always sharing your thoughts and knowledge in growing plants specially orchids. I/we dearly appreciate it so much. 🤗🤗🤗
So excited tonight when I saw your back! I have watched all your new videos that you've put out. I'm so glad your ok! I felt like a friend had been sick and have often of you. I did find Hillbilly Orchids and heard her mention you and I was relieved to hear you were ok. I love hearing your research and nutrient talk. I learned more from your channel than any other orchid channel. I need the encouragement now to keep my orchis going. Four years lots happens. Again, so happy to hear your doing ok and back into what makes you happy!
I decided to check out the channel after the NinjaOrchids livestream today. I've seen one of the older videos about nutrients before. 2:09 200 would be too many for me. Maybe this type of shade house can be one of rhe channel's merch items. 😁 I've heard that cattleyas (especially larger ones) need more fertilizer than other types of orchids. I mostly use MSU and Cal-Mag after repotting for a couple of weeks.
......welcome Joe.....Mine are outside now....growing strong and with many new growths and root tips......also making up for poor conditions before I got them......they seem to do well on 150-165ppm.....during cooler temps and slower growth I drop to 50-100ppm....MSU and Calmag are great products...My cattleyas love stronger feeds......I say that from watching them grow,..and how well they bloom for me....
Thank you Rick for your great service to the orchid community. You are greatly appreciated. I do grow my orchids indoors year round, in orchiata bark and spagnum moss. I could always improve on fertilizer. Have a nice weekend. 👏🤗
Hi Rick, great stuff as usual. Pleased to hear you sounding so strong and well. Since I’ve spoken to you last, I’ve had major changes in my lifestyle. I have moved away from Australia into Thailand. I haven’t started growing yet, but it won’t be long before I do. Looking for a small house and small garden and then I have to go find somewhere where they sell very cheap orchids as they do in this country. Once I start, I will keep you appraised of what’s happening .
Lynn....wonderful to hear from you as well.....My brother lives in Thailand, and loves it there.....I wish you a safe transition and look forward to your new orchid adventures......please keep in touch my friend.
Dear Rick, it is such an ecstatic moment to see you back on the channel after so long. May you be blessed with good health at all times and may you continue delighting us sharing your gardening chit chats 😊😊😊
Hi Rick! Thank you for the video- it was very helpful! I am now following your advice, using a Pipette and checking the tsd meter when I fertilize. Hope all is well, please keep posting videos! Can’t wait to see your orchids in bloom 🙏🌸
.......you made me smile this morning.......after you check things for a little while.....you will know what works and then you wont have to monitor things so much......these changes will make you a very good grower.....thank you for the great questions......
Thank you so much for this talk about nutrients, it is never too much. So glad to see your plants in your new shade house, looking so happy in the filtered sun 😍😍😍😍😍
I love how calming your videos are. Thanks for the feeding break down. Its always nice for a constant reminder. Are you planning to make your metal stakes again?
This is so interesting Rick as was your talk with Paula a few weeks ago. Your plants just love you, I can tell 😁. It's wonderful to have you back. I love Ninja too, and must listen too, we are both ex Africa residents, she from Kenya and me from Malawi 🦁
.....Nanette...thank you so much...I'm really having fun building my collection slowly, and watching them grow..... Paula and Nina both have wonderful channels, they are so informative, helpful, and are great growers......Malawi.....home to some of the most beautiful Cichlid fish.....I used to raise African Cichlids.....such a beautiful place.......
@@rickl.orchids strangely enough in the 22 years I lived in Malawi, I knew nothing about these fish until, many years later, meeting up with a friend in Houston, she took us to a place that had a tank full of these beautiful fish 💖💖
Hello Rick, the orchids look so healthy and great on the mounts! Beautiful. This year I started growing unions too. I hope they will do well… and very informative video on the nutrients again. Very interesting! I did hear from another grower that orchids can adjust the pH around their roots to some degree. I am curious to know what you think about this?
.....Thanks EJ.....Yes....I was reading about how orchids can release different cations, anions, etc to actually adjust the ph of thier substrate to allow for absorbtion of different nutrients.......was fascinating information.....The paper was called "The Acidification of Sphagnum Moss Substrate during Phalaenopsis Cultivation"........its kind of natures way of breaking down or decomposing material around thier roots to release nutrients to feed on...love research like this.
Hey brother 👋 awesome awesome talk! I love it! Im like you, cant get enough nutrient talk! That is amazing how your right, you can water more than me and thats an amazing thing! I do like those micros and flora by general hydroponics. They make the best stuff! Really enjoyed the video! Hope you have had a lovely week. Big hugs from Wv! 😊🤗🌹🩷💚
.....hey Paula.....thank you my friend....Im still using and will be using the 2part Jacks......I may have not explained it well.....but I will be adjusting my ratios to lower the Phos....thats what is nice about the jacks......very flexible....The General Hydroponic mixes are just another choice for those that cant find Jacks......the growth Im seeing is wonderful....
@rickl.orchids Hey Rick, yea I think I understand your using the Jack's 15-0-0 but with the flora grow and flora micro, right? That way the phosphorus is lower. Is that what your meaning?
@@hillbillyorchids .....no....sorry I wasnt clear in the video......I will explain it better on next video......Im still going to use the 2 part Jacks.....cal nit and 5-12-26.....the General hydroponics are seperate nutrient options.... example.....if Im feeding 150ppm of nutrients.....instead of using 75ppm calcium nitrite and 75 ppm of the 5-12-26.....I will just adjust the ratio....more like 125ppm of cal nit....and 50 ppm of 5-12-26.......thats all......overall it will lesson the phos amount......I forgot how very flexible that mix is!......its very important to use the 5-12-26 for the micro and macro nutriments.along with the calcium nitrate.....Calcium nitrate alone will cause floppy weak spindly growths.....thats wont stand up on thier own.........I hope Im explaining it correctly.
@rickl.orchids ooh ok yes I see. I was misunderstanding you. Gosh I hope others didn't do that too. Maybe showing us would help with a visual. Thanks for explaining it better. 😊
Thanks for a great video. I do like watching your videos because you explain what you’re doing thanks. I’m using two different fertilises on mine to see which is the best growing one at the moment?
Hi Rick, I have followed your advice since years back and have had the same bottle of cal mag. Is there an expiration date to fertilizers/nutrients? So glad you’re back!
.......thank you and what a great question.....from personal experience, I have never seen them breakdown or have had any ill effects from older solutions......but...if you see any seperation of the solutions, odd coloring, or bad odor..... I would dispose of them and buy new.....I have seen kelp/seaweed mixes clump somewhat.......but a good shaking breaks it up quickly.
Good job Rick. Thanks for all the help you give the neophyte orchid growers. I have one problem; I'm old and don't have the strength and time anymore to move all my 220 orchids into a bath mix. I flush after every third or fourth fertilization. My PH off the roof is usually 6.8 to 7.3 and use that Drop acid to drop it to 5.8 - 6.2. I rarely go above 200 ppm in the summer the rainwater's ppm and 150 ppm in winter. When fertilizing I water until it flows out the hole(s). After a year or two when transplanting, I usually find a good amount of salt build-up in the inside bottoms of the pots. Why? I switch back and forth between the Jacks and Calcium Nitrate. and Bettergrow and Cal-Mag about every 5 days. Should I just start flushing more often? My temps may be higher than yours (Central Florida), haven't seen a frost in 40 years. Thanks!
.......Lawrence I would love to never see a frost again....to me your doing a great job feeding your orchids....the mixes you use are fine as well....The only thing I would add is .......you can never flush to much...... .....I lived in Miami for years.....and I know the constant wind will blow sand into every nook and crack around....are you sure its not sand your seeing in the pots?...Im 64 and have Parkinsons.....so I somewhat understand your "old" comment.........not sure if I helped you or not....Question......you said you repot every few years....is this due to outgrowing the pots?.....or something else?
Yea a nutrient talk. Apparently I confuse people because I talk about how much I like your nutrient talks. Then I turn around and do something like use marine aquarium salt. So I tried to explain it to somebody the other day. They said they watched a bunch of your old nutrient talks in the past. So I asked. What does Rick talk about the most? What nutrient? Calcium! Then I asked what do you think the main ingredient is in marine aquarium salt? I think I'll just leave it at that, if people want to they can go pick a marine aquarium salt and a plant fertilizer and just compare the ingredients. If anyone does it, I bet they will be surprised about the similarities.
Thanks for the vid Rick! You did inspire me to focus and hone in on TDS and orchid fertilizers. I've been experimenting with powdered eggshell. It absorbs great in water and I've seen positive results (lush green leaves, etc...). So it's way cheaper than commercial Cal-Mag (which may be too low already. Thoughts!?
......thank you.....and thats a great question....Ive never tried powdered egg shells....but I have noticed that egg shells that were scattered in my garden years ago are still there and not broken down much.....I know that microbial action would need to occur to help break down and release any calcium etc.......Orchids in most home collections have very little microbial life around them, because of repotting and salt fertilizers being applied... ....however, the shells in a powdered form may very well speed that process up quickly.....great bit of information... I thank you....I really need to look your channel over .....you have a lot going on.....wonderful work your doing!
Glad your back 30:23 Rick and felling b😮etter. Don you water your orchids with house water or rain water? What do you soak orchids in? Our house water has flourid in water . Rain water has a 0 on meter Dot
'thank you Dot......I use rainwater I collect......it is usually around 2-5ppm.......very good water......my house water isnt real bad....around 165ppm......better than a lot of tap water......but like you said....contains flouride, clorine, cloramine, and anti foaming agents,... etc....
@@rickl.orchids Thank you for your reply. I use rain water on my house plants, never thought to the orchids. Your thoughts on distilled water? Rain water not easy to collect Dot
@@dorothycherkas17 ......rainwater for orchids is a game changer.......they do so well with it.....distilled water is perfectly fine also....it just cost money.....I also have a r/o filter set up for making R/O water.....it comes out around 0-1ppm.....there are many options ......
Thanks for this video. It’s very interesting. If you use something like MSU, would you still add all those other ingredients? Also, is there a “starting” place for ppm and would you add the same amounts of each of those nutrients? It’s hard for us beginners to know what a good starting TDS # should be. Again, thanks for doing this video. Greatly appreciate it!
.....you want your water very pure....under 50ppm if you can......cleaner the better.......after that I add nutrients till Im around 125-175ppm.....If I was feeding MSU if would add nutrients to175ppm.........plus Ill add some kelp/seaweed.at 1tsp per gallon....you dont need to add other stuff...my next video will be in more detail
@@LizE2654 .....R/O is great water....but contains almost nothing nutritional.... The Calmag and seaweed are excellent supplements, great choices.....the MSU which is a good fertilizer....I'm sure has calcium in it.....but I like calcium % to match the Nitrogen %.....orchids will absorb what calcium they need and leave the rest for later.......wont harm them.....a little seaweed is a great addition.....lots of growth hormones and some additional potassium....Nitrogen with out enough calcium can grow some spindly floppy growths that have trouble standing up on thier own.....keep up the great work!
Rick, Do any of these nutrients have a shelf life.? I have Cali-Magic that’s 4 years old . Have been using small amts over the years bc I don’t have that many orchids. So was wondering if it’s still “good”? This video was a big help & a refresher for me in feeding my orchids. Thanks very much.
Hi Rick! Thank you for explaining your fertilizing/watering schedule again! I took notes, LOL! Nutrients are such an important factor in achieving healthy orchids that I don't think you can ever talk about it too often, huh? I found it very interesting that you are not only 'swinging' your PH but your PPM levels as well! What ratio are you currently using for the Calcium Nitrate and Jack's Fertilizer? And does this ratio stay the same no matter what the overall PPM is? For instance, if my fertilizer mix is 125 PPM (overall), I use 50 PPM CN and 75 PPM Jack's. Does that sound about right? Hope I'm not confusing you! :)
......thank you so much.....and yes your correct ...I will add....if my orchids are growing strong.....warm temps....lots of new root growth and shoots...and not winter resting....I will up my Calnit %.....to maybe.....75ppm of calnit and 50ppm of 5-12-26......I may also jump my total feed up to 175 -200ppm.....and keep those same ratios........hope that makes sense......Its important to keep the 5-12-26 along with the calnit.......it contains all the macro and micro nutrients that plants need to grow correctly........to much calnit and not enough micro and macro nutirents and you can get spindly, soft, weak growths that have trouble standing up.. ....Feed and watch your plants reaction.......If mine are actively growing...like they are now......and I feed them......I notice growth for several days........then they slow down......I feed again and they grow again.....and I keep repeating........we are going to go over this over the next few videos.....
@@rickl.orchids Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! Do you think it's possible to actually overfeed your orchids when the weather is warm, as it is right now? Where I live, in Tennessee, we've had alot of rain this month. I'm wondering - if you keep your orchids outside and you have a period where it rains every day, does that affect your feeding schedule? How do you adjust to rainy weather?
@@tobiesmom .......another great question....with rain falling on my orchids....they get flushed.....and flushed.....Im in inert media, lava, stone, etc.... and it doesnt really get over saturated......I love to feed them in the rain....it mimics more like what they get in nature...they all seem to love the rain......especially the mounted orchids....I can feed everyday if they are getting rained on......the only thing I would adjust is the strength of feed......If Im normally feeding 150-175ppm.......I may drop it to 100ppm.....if Im feeding more often........I hope that makes sense.........great question.
Rick, on mount do you have certain woods you suggest against using? Or any that you find work best? I have some pignut hickory bark that I’ve been hesitant in using.
.....great question.......Ive had mixed results with hickory......more bad than good........the woods that I use are cedar, and cypress,.......Oaks of all types, maple, elms, and woods that have stone fruits like cherry, peach, , as well as walnut ......really seem to cause issues........I only use cedar and cypress now....some trees like walnut release chemicals to kill and or keep other plants from growing around them......
....Thank you....and a great question.......probably not one thing as much as several things....The top 4 things that cause root rot or dieback.are probably.......not flushing your media is a big one, not providing enough calcium, is another big cause.... over feeding......and not giving your orchids a dry cycle.....mimic mother nature and your orchids will grow wonderfully........great question.
Hi Rick🤗. I hope you have a second to answer a few questions. I grow inside and it’s time to flush, there is a whitish buildup on the outside of my pots. I wonder at times could it be from the humidity (70-80%) but always flush to be on the safe side. You being in AL, me in MS, our humidity outside is pretty close. Is it ok to use tap water to flush thoroughly and then final rinse with my RO water? Also, do you have any specs on your outdoor wood shelf? 🤞🏻hubby will surprise me!
Happy to help......if your tap water is pretty good.....like under 300ppm......yes use it, flush a little with some R/O water after.....a little scotchbrite on the pots helps remove the buildup.......My shade house was sized to fit against the back of my chimney.......you can adjust the dimensions for a specific spot at your location........mine is around 6' wide.....26" deep....and about 76" tall.....I made it that tall so I can roll it thru my shop door if there is a severe storm....If I can answer anything else feel free to ask.......
Could you please tell what proportions to use Flora Gro 2-1-6 & Flora Micro 5-0-1 to use for my phals. I have a TDS gauge & want to know how much to use to get a 150 TDS or a lower TDS solution. Thank you.
.......try around 50ppm of Micro and 100 of the Gro........if your a bit higher or lower it will be fine......add a little kelp/seaweed and your really good......the kelp/seaweed wont raise the TDS very much
Me again I grow mine in lacer lava rock on my windowsill in my living room. I find it takes a little bit longer to dry out at the bottom and the roots are staying green longer. Am I doing the right thing? Do you think my wet and dry cycle, so I put them in just a pot with holes in and leave them or put them into another pot on the windowsill without any difference. I have tried putting the pot on the windowsill with holes and see how long it takes to dry out just experiment at the moment, a few days ago catch you very soon😊
......staying damp for several days is fine......but you do want them to dry out every so often......if you use trays under them it may slow down the drying process.......mine are on wire shelving when inside, with no trays.... and outside in my shadehouse... they are on wire mesh shelving.......They get alot of airflow this way......allowing them to go thru a natural wet dry cycle......If you have to use a tray under them.....maybe place something under the pots to raise them up....allow more air flow.
I was under the impression that CaliMagic was something you used on the roots but researching and seeing some other replies here...this is only used as a foliar spray? It does address soil but not sure if bark represents soil. Spraying sounds like a mess when I only grow inside and not interested in hauling them outside but I will if absolutely necessary. Thanks for the great information much appreciated.
CALiMAGic is a calcium /magnesium supplement.....you can use it on roots, leaves etc.....wont matter if your in bark, moss, stone, lava rock, semi hydro, coco coir, mounted orchids, etc....or even soil.....I mix mine with water when flushing, and mix with nutirents if I need additional calcium....I have used as a foliar spray......but usually its used on the roots.....my peppers and tomatoes in my garden soil love it also....will prevent blossom end rot......thank you....
Hi Rick. I had a problem after i mix the fertilizer with oms (or drinking water). The pH drop to 4.3 around and i have to add baking sode to bring it up to where it 6.0. Do you think is it ok to use baking soda to the fertilizer?
Hi again, sorry to be a pest. I have questions. This involves fertilizing. I use orchid sense . Also have the cal mag and to be honest just ordered all 3 of the flora hydroponics I saw in this video. I know u have fertilizer vids. I’ll revisit them at some point. But I’d really like to see what u do with these and how often. I’ve been so afraid of fertilizers in the past as I get root burn, but it’s been a few years without any at all and the roots still get burned. So I dunno. I have a few orchids that are struggling. Haven’t flowered in 2 seasons so I’m thinking they could benefit from some help. Also I have one orchid I’d like to show u if I could email u a pic. It has a lot of areal roots and the leaves seem to be smaller than they once were. It’s spiking rn, and I cannot wait, because this one is scented and I missed it last year as it also did not bloom.😢,
.....not a pest at all, happy to answer any questions.....root burn is usually one of 2 things.....too much fertilizer or salt accumilation in the media......most fertlizers are salt based, and can build up reside in the media if not flushed out......in soil plants it isnt usually an issue but with bare root orchids that feed very low.....and are more sensitive it can be... ..After several feeds.....flush the pots with clean water, with no fertlizer.....flush them good......orchids in the wild would get rained on and it would feed them as well as flush excess or unused nutrients away.. ..The best way to not over feed,... is to use a TDS meter to measure your nutrient solution.......they are under $15 dollars and simple to use....gives you control of your feed and makes caring for orchids much easier.....you can also measure your water to see if its pure enough for orchids....Tap water over 50ppm isnt best for orchids......I collect rainwater..... ....the General Hydroponics are great......easy to mix, the orchids love it, and it last a long time.....The bottle will tell you to use tsp/gallon type of measurements.......dont do that......Use a pipette or a straw to measure them out......sometimes I only add 5-6 drops per gallon for the correct amount.......again use a TDS meter.......and please ask any questions you like......happy to assist.......I want you to have great success with your orchids and get lots of blooms.......after you use your meter a few times, you will know how much to feed and it becomes even easier.....
@@rickl.orchids you are the best! I already have a tds meter from your advice years ago. The calmag too. Can I mix calmag and other hydroponics I mentioned earlier together? I won’t use the orchid sense
.......dolomitic lime will work also.....but....it takes time to break down and wont give them a quick source of calcium.....any garden center that sells gardening products should have a calcium supplement......look for one thats made for tomatoes, peppers, etc.....that is for blossom end rot......Canna or Roots, are a couple of brands to check out.......also if there are any hydroponic stores they also will carry calcium supplements........Calmag is almost a generic name for it......the seaweed supplement is a great addition for your orchids.
Hi Rick, so summer is up and i have problem with spider mites. Everybody says isopropyl alcohol helps and i did u it and still those mites still on my orchids seems like it didnt work 😢 what should i do? what should i use? Thanks and keep making more videosssssss!❤
great question.......go back to mother nature....you have to ask yourself.....how do orchids in the wild not all die off from spider mites?......if they have plenty of calcium and are healthy orchids....the calcium keeps them tough, thick and protects them from mites etc.......also very important is..... what do wild orchids get,.... that they dont get in our greenhouses, grow rooms, basements, windowsills, etc?........."Rain".."Rain".....they get washed off occasionally....mites like dry conditions....spray your orchids off every few days.....it will kill off most mites.....they cant breed and survive in wet conditions.......I have never had mites, scale, mealy bugs etc on my orchids......even when outside near other plants....but mine get rained on.......the orchids love it......I have never used alcohol,... peroxide....or pesticides on my orchids......they never need it in the wild.
@@CarmensOrchids .....that was a great question.....also if they are inside.......place a fan on them......it will dry them off like a light breeze would after rinseing them off.......and breezes also keep mites, gnats etc for getting started......they need very still calm conditions to breed and move around....the slightest breeze keeps them hindered.....
@@rickl.orchids thanks rick, my orchids are now on my terrace since it is summer, i have a mini greenhouse for my 70 orchids and yes i have fan on them , also i am going to a orchids event NOW! Hahahaha im excited!
.......Liz MSU is great alone......I was showing that there are choices for feeding your orchids.......I use Jacks most of the time........but will use the others as well.......
@@LizE2654 .......I use calmag to add "extra" calcium to my nutrient mix or my flushing water......whats important is to match your Nitrogen% to your calcium %.......if your MSU has 10% Nitrogen.....I would want 10% or even better 12% calcium.......read you label and see what % of N & C it contains.....you can then add calmag to supplement you calcium.
Hello Rick, me again. Sorry to bother you, but today I bought a bottle of maxicrop Liquid Seaweed for my orchids. It says to mix 1 ounce into a gallon, is this correct? It looks so dark 😮
Hello Nanette......kelp/seaweed supplements are great for orchids.......most brands are usually dark in color....and will look like weak tea when mixed.......I use a tsp per gallon....it wont add a lot of PPM if you use a meter to check.....but are full of great growth hormones etc, and some potassium as well.... ....Better to use small amounts often....these products are used for many different plants,......including tomatoes peppers, etc......and they work great.......the directions on the bottle are more for soil plants vs orchids.......hope this helps........great question.....
@@rickl.orchids Thank you so very much Rick. I had a hunch that 1 ounce was too much 😮 and 1 tsp per gallon it will be for me. It's great to be able to ask you these things. So appreciated, thank you 😁
......Great question......depending on the orchid its not normal.........for a dendrobium or cattleya to have its spike die back....yes its normal.......For a phalaenopsis.....not as much.....Some orchids, like phals will rebloom from old spikes.....if phals re-absorb thier spikes.....they are lacking in nutrients, or unable to absorb nutrients due to issues.
Thank you for the reply. It was a phal and I’m starting to apply the Cal magic and seaweed extract to my fertilizer. Will also add the Cal magic to my watering routine. I don’t have RO water but I use a tabletop water filter to filter my water. Is that a decent alternative to the RO or rain water?
@danacoates6511 you start with providing the conditions the orchid you're growing prefers with regards to: temperature, water, light, air and nutrients. As hobby growers, we can't "trick" an orchid to bloom whenever we want. It'll bloom according to its cycle and blooming pattern. Most orchids will have a particular season for flowers and follow a pattern. There's usually a temperature variation that makes them put out flower spikes. Some can bloom several times a year, others bloom once a year and some, like paphs, can take more than a year to rebloom. So if you bought an orchid that had flowers in March, you can expect it to rebloom around that time.
@danacoates6511 what's the name of your orchid? Was it mature/ blooming sized when you bought it? I'm no Rick L (haha) but I'd be happy to help you figure out what's going on or at least point you in the direction of a resource that may help you.
.......good question.......equal parts of each is fine....I use a TDS meter.....so 75ppm of each is good.........if your using a tsp.....1/2 tsp per gallon of each is OK.
