Just too vague

[JudyC]

I've been hashing over this certain term over & over from 1 of my orchid books..."water when growing"

Ok what is considered "growing"?? Only when leaves are forming, or spikes are showing (which is what I'm assuming)...but what about flowering?? is that not growing??

I'm probably making more into this, and sure it's not that hard, but I hate these darn vague statements.

Oppsss on edit: forgot to post up LOL...

went & bought 3 more new orchids to my collection: Epc. Joseph Romans - Roman Holiday, Oda. Hot Pants - Hot to Trot and MTSSA. Charles M. Fitch - Izumi.

will have to go google what exactly these are & their proper care in case they need anything different that the other chids I'm assuming are in the same growing category

[jsehorn]

For some orchids, like certain deciduous Dendrobium species, there are well defined rest and growth seasons, so that's fairly easy to distinguish, but I agree that with most other plants, the defining factors are tenuous.

Personally, I consider a plant to be "in growth" when it is producing new shoots, leaves, and/or roots. As far as culture goes, I reduce fertilizer when a plant is in bloom, but I certainly don't treat a blooming plant like it is dormant. Although I reduce fertilizer for blooming plants, I still continue to water them business as usual. I don't base my culture as much on the growth habits of specific plants, but more around the seasons. Due to decreased day length, I reduce fertilizer in the winter, but I continue to fertilize to some degree, even with plants that aren't actively growing new leaves. Orchids that don't have a well-defined dry season should never be left completely dry.

"When growing" is indeed a very vague term, as most orchids are always "growing" in some way and to some degree.

I'm not familiar with Oda. Hot Pants 'Hot to Trot' but based upon the name alone, I think I need one hahahaha.

Just my thoughts, but there it is

[hera]

Generally go by new growths forming and/or new roots growing. Of the two new root formation is the more important.

[JudyC]

Thanks Jeff

We ALL know you don't much of a push to go orchid shopping LOL!

I also have been doing basically what you also do for your orchids.

That "term" just too vague, I know the writer KNOWS what he's talking about & to put words in print sometimes goes awry.

I don't have any "dormant" type plants yet, unless I include the silk ivy above the armoire

I've been "weakly" weekly fertilizing all my orchids, so maybe I shouldn't do the few that are in bloom...sure hope I haven't hurt them.

Thanks for the advice

[orchids4me]

I agree with the above posters
Unless its a orchid that has a defined rest period (like noble type Dens or deciduous type orchids) even those Dens after they start sprouting again the watering starts back up because they are in a growth stage. Mind you the catesums (hope I spelled that right) are a whole different story check RCB's detailed thread for those types.

[1joyceh]

Oda. Hot Pants - Hot to Trot...
you KNOW I had to look that one up!!!!
It is really beautiful, the coloring is outstanding, can't wait until yours blooms and you post the pictures

[JudyC]

My newly acquired:


ODA. Hot Pants - Hot to Trot



MTTSA. Charles M. Fitch - Izumi



Epc. Joseph Romans - Roman Holiday - smells like hot chocolate!



My Stained Glass Flower Fairy who looks over all my plants/flowers for years (larger one with blue birds in the background - in the sunroom)




Thanks for looking

[1joyceh]

They are gorgeous JudyC!!!!
Your "Hot Pants" is even more outstanding then the one picture I had looked at!!
ooo...and a hot chocolate scented orchid??? that one is going on my list!!
Thanks for sharing

[otis 226]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing...Oh, and I too consider any new growth, be it root, shoot, whatever, to be an actively growing plant. I have enough that just sit there like silk plants for up to half year to know when something wakes up!
Best,
Tony

[jsehorn]

I didn't have time to google Oda. Hot Pants, but now that I've seen your picture, I most definitely have to have one! But not til this spring... no more orchids til spring hahahaha, but hey, spring is right around the corner! That is a magnificent plant, and you've grown it well. Very nice.

[Puddy1]

Hot Pants is gorgeous!! (but then so are the rest ) How big are the flowers?

[jsehorn]

I failed to comment on the "weakly weekly" fertilizer regimen you use on plants, even when they are in flower. I don't think it damages the plants at all. I have fertilized plants in bloom before to no ill effects, but somewhere I read that you shouldn't fertilize plants in bloom, so I tend to reduce fertilizer for blooming plants, even though I don't know if there's any scientific data to support that claim. If a plant is in bloom with no new shoots or leaves forming, I generally reduce fertilizer, but if the plant is both blooming and in active growth, I still fertilize (I fertilize weakly weekly as well). I can't think of any reason fertilizer would harm a plant in bloom, but like I said, I read that somewhere, so that's in the back of my mind.

The most important thing is that your plants are happy and healthy. If you haven't noticed any ill effects from fertilizing blooming plants, then I wouldn't worry about it. If it works for you, there's really no reason to change anything.

[JudyC]

Originally Posted by Puddy1

Hot Pants is gorgeous!! (but then so are the rest ) How big are the flowers?

Hi Puddy - the flowers are approx. 3" wide x 3" long --- just measured them

I have more ready to bloom further down the spike and one other HUGE spike loaded with over 30 buds, ready to bloom

Funny thing, when purchasing plants I bury my nose to see if any have a scent/stink, etc. This had no smell, but a few days home, it definitely has a slight fragrance - nothing wowie tho.

[JudyC]

Originally Posted by jsehorn

I didn't have time to google Oda. Hot Pants, but now that I've seen your picture, I most definitely have to have one! But not til this spring... no more orchids til spring hahahaha, but hey, spring is right around the corner! That is a magnificent plant, and you've grown it well. Very nice.

Oh Jeff I cannot take credit for this one - I purchased it in spike.

Yeahhhh right...no more orchids...hmmm me thinks me heard this a time or 2 before

I believe I've said the exact same thing you did

[jsehorn]

Originally Posted by JudyC

Oh Jeff I cannot take credit for this one - I purchased it in spike.

Yeahhhh right...no more orchids...hmmm me thinks me heard this a time or 2 before

I believe I've said the exact same thing you did

You don't know me.....

[BGGraham1]

Originally Posted by jsehorn

I'm not familiar with Oda. Hot Pants 'Hot to Trot' but based upon the name alone, I think I need one hahahaha.

Just my thoughts, but there it is

Me, too!! I'll put it next to my Golden Shower!!

[jsehorn]

Actually, physically, LOLd, Brigitte. Thanks for that!

[BGGraham1]

Ok. Now I for sure have to have 'Hot Pants'!! What a brilliant color!!!

You're such an enabler!