Orchids ID please! if possible info on PH, K N P. thanks!

thanks in advance!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Dendrobium, same, Phalaenopsis, same
Ascocenda, Phalaenopsis, same, Dendrobium?
Dendrobium

Looks like all the Dendrobiums are the warm growing hybrids. Second question is too general. Maybe someone can point you to a Fact or web site.

Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

thank you. will try to id them this weekend. any other help will be appreciate

[jerrymeola]

I will try to discuss the general issues of Ph fertilizer and trace elements as it may apply to everyone reading this.

My personal opinion, and there may be many who differ, is to not be too concerned about Ph or mineral levels in your water. Trying to change water conditions is very difficult and usually not consistent. Your orchids will adapt to whatever you give them. If you want to collect rain water, this will always yield good results.

most commercial hybrids adapt very easily. Specific species plants may not do as well, but there are hundreds of thousands of different orchids and decide if a difficult one to grow is worth the effort to you.

I assume your reference to potassium nitrogen and phosphate was in regards to fertilizing.

I recommend any good brand of fertilizer at the rate of one teaspoon per gallon of water once a week. (balanced 20-20-20) These will have all the trace elements the plants need. Only very cheap off brands fail to have the necessary trace elements. Different brands offer more and different trace elements but while you may prefer one they all do a decent job. Magnesium (Epsom salt) is the most important trace element and is usually listed on the package. Peter's, Miracle Grow and just about every other brand includes it.

thanks jerry. appreciate it.