My phal since the last repot

[lotusindigo]

Hi, I'd like to thank everyone who gave me advice in my last thread about my troubled phal. I wanted to post an update and ask for advice again. It's only been about week, so maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit, looking at all these "signs". But these are the changes I've noticed since the last repot:

- a flower bud that has been sitting there, doing nothing for weeks, has finally opened
- one of the top leaves seems to be going "vertical," as in it seems to be standing up straighter instead of laying down flat with the other leaves
- the highest node of the spike I had cut (after the last flower fell) seems to be sprouting a new growth.

I would post pictures, but it seems that I don't have enough posts. Anyway, I was hoping for some help on how to read this new activity. Are they good signs, or do they not mean much either way? When I repotted, I had to trim off many of the old roots, because they had died. The only ones I left on the plant were the ones highest in the root system, closest to the potting surface. The lowest two leaves (the oldest leaves?) seem to be wrinkling a bit, perhaps the roots I had snipped were the ones supporting them. Lowe's did not have any clear plastic pots available, so I am not able to get a good look at the roots to see how they're doing. Is there anything I can do to encourage root growth? I keep hearing about this thing called worm tea, but I also hear that I should not use any fertilizers while re-establishing roots.

[mehitabel]

I think the changes you've noted sound good for your phal.

Phals typically show a burst of new growth after repotting, principally because the old medium can become saturated with salts that are harmful to roots.

A liquid rooting hormone diluted into your watering water will help stimulate root formation. I use Hormex liquid root hormone, but lots of people use Superthrive. The active ingredient in Superthrive is a rooting hormone.

BTW, nothing I have read says not to use fertilizers on phals while establishing roots. IMO, you will get faster root growth if you fertilize. Your should not use fertilizer on a sick or declining plant. Yours is a plant on the rebound.

[lotusindigo]

I've heard a lot about Superthrive, also. Is that something I can get from a local store, or will I have to order online?

[tangers40]

i got my bottle of superthrive from walmart, believe it or not. check in the garden center, next to the other fertilizers and pesticides. it was somewhere around 8 bucks if i remember correctly.

[patticake]

It sounds as if your plant is doing well! Yay! Superthrive is avaiable at many garden centers. I love it!

[vcuchick]

SEE? all your plant needed was a little TLC and it responds with good growth! Well done! Happy growing! Once you've posted a bunch, we'd love to see pictures!

[CharliesAngel51]

I'm sure you can find Superthrive at Lowe's or Home Depot. I got mine at one of them, I don't remember which. It was with the plant foods.

Good that your orchid is responding to the re pot so well.

[lotusindigo]

Thanks everyone, I went and picked up a bottle of Superthrive at Wal-mart today. I think I understand how to use it... just one drop per cup used when watering? Easy enough. But it says that it's not a fertilizer replacement. In that case, can anyone make some good recommendations about which fertilizer to use?

[Plucky Purcell]

Nice to see some turn around. Nothing like a good rescue.

[tangers40]

i have been putting a couple drops per gallon of superthrive in my regular fertilizer. the plants are all going crazy with new growth.

[E-Jag]

Lotus, if you can find a 20-20-20, that would be perfect. You can use it year 'round (except, of course, for those orchids, like some dends, that prefer to winter without fertilizer). If you were going to have only one, a well balanced fertilizer like 20-20-20 would be it.