Problems growing mutiflorals

[Stone]

which kind of fertilizer would you recommend and at which concentration? Must the fertilizer be applied in foliar or on the substrate?

AT the moment for the plants with few roots I'm using plain water 2 times, kelp once, plain water 2 times and organic fermented fish at a VERY weak concentration in a rotation. I also warm the water to about 20C and water everything leaves and all. The biggest issue is having the patience to wait for the pots to dry out before watering/feeding! But I really think its the heat/humidity and air which is making the most difference. Everything has picked up from goyefroyaes and bellatulums to argus and hangianum. As David mentioned, the multis seem to be the fastest/easiest. Actually I was inspired after seeing Paphmans success with his Dunkels.http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19671&highlight=dunkel&page=4

 

[Stone]

which kind of fertilizer would you recommend and at which concentration? Must the fertilizer be applied in foliar or on the substrate?

AT the moment for the plants with few roots I'm using plain water 2 times, kelp once, plain water 2 times and organic fermented fish at a VERY weak concentration in a rotation. I also warm the water to about 20C and water everything leaves and all. The biggest issue is having the patience to wait for the pots to dry out before watering/feeding! But I really think its the heat/humidity and air which is making the most difference. Everything has picked up from goyefroyaes and bellatulums to argus and hangianum. As David mentioned, the multis seem to be the fastest/easiest.

 

[emydura]

I suppose we all find different genera easy or difficult depending on our conditions and how we treat the plants.

Yes, but I think most people would find the Paphiopedilum group the easiest to care for. There are a few tough species (faiirieanum, charlesworthii, tigrinum for example) but the vast majority are some of the easiest orchids of all to grow. Species like insigne, villosum, gratrixianum and spicerianum can be grown by just about anyone under a wide range of conditions. They can be grown quite cool, so can handle life outside in the back yard. They multiply very fast and can reach specimen size in a short period of time. No matter how much abuse and neglect they receive, they keep on keeping on.

Compare that to the sigmatopetalums which require warm temperatures and high humidity, conditions that most of us can only provide in specialised glasshouses. Most of these species do not clump well and rarely increase to more than a handful of growths. I think most of the general public would struggle to keep these species alive for any considerable time.

 

[The Mutant]

Yes, but I think most people would find the Paphiopedilum group the easiest to care for. There are a few tough species (faiirieanum, charlesworthii, tigrinum for example) but the vast majority are some of the easiest orchids of all to grow. Species like insigne, villosum, gratrixianum and spicerianum can be grown by just about anyone under a wide range of conditions. They can be grown quite cool, so can handle life outside in the back yard. They multiply very fast and can reach specimen size in a short period of time. No matter how much abuse and neglect they receive, they keep on keeping on.

Compare that to the sigmatopetalums which require warm temperatures and high humidity, conditions that most of us can only provide in specialised glasshouses. Most of these species do not clump well and rarely increase to more than a handful of growths. I think most of the general public would struggle to keep these species alive for any considerable time.

Ah, now that you say it... You have a very good point actually. I do hope that many of my sigmatopetalums will get more growths and stay with me for a long, long time.

How is fairrieanum a bit more difficult? I have one and I keep it together with the rest of the paphiopedilums and it grows like a little weed. Is it difficult to bloom?

 

[annab]

the vast majority are some of the easiest orchids of all to grow. Species like insigne, villosum, gratrixianum and spicerianum can be grown by just about anyone under a wide range of conditions.

just those who do not like me(I like but not so much)

Compare that to the sigmatopetalums which require warm temperatures and high humidity, conditions that most of us can only provide in specialised glasshouses. Most of these species do not clump well and rarely increase to more than a handful of growths. I think most of the general public would struggle to keep these species alive for any considerable time.

I am not sure have understood,David does you say that paphs multifloral without greenhouse hardly flowering or grow up?

 

[The Mutant]

I am not sure have understood,David does you say that paphs multifloral without greenhouse hardly flowering or grow up?

No, he's talking about sigmatopetalums, barbata types. I'm sorry, it's my fault that this thread veered off of multifloras.

I have multiflora Paphs and they grow for me even though I don't have a greenhouse. If I can get them to flower though, that's a whole different topic.

 

[annab]

Thanks The Mutant, I misunderstood ,now I know that David have talk about sigmatopetalums barbata types and that multifloral have nothing to do.
damn ignorance.
Anna

 

[SlipperFan]

Thanks The Mutant, I misunderstood ,now I know that David have talk about sigmatopetalums barbata types and that multifloral have nothing to do.
damn ignorance.
Anna

But that's why we are all here -- to learn and share...

 

[emydura]

Ah,
How is fairrieanum a bit more difficult? I have one and I keep it together with the rest of the paphiopedilums and it grows like a little weed. Is it difficult to bloom?

This can be a tough one to keep alive long term. They can grow and flower well initially but then slowly decline. This is my experience and others as well. Maybe K-lite will help with this.

Hopefully yours will continue to grow like a weed as it is a magnificent species. Best of luck.

 

[The Mutant]

This can be a tough one to keep alive long term. They can grow and flower well initially but then slowly decline. This is my experience and others as well. Maybe K-lite will help with this.

Hopefully yours will continue to grow like a weed as it is a magnificent species. Best of luck.

Thank you, i need all the luck I can get since it seems I have some deficiency issue with the entire collection.

 

[Paphman910]

Paphman, no I do not grow that particular cattleya, but I do grow lots of cattleyas with no problems. maxima,mossiae,purpurata. They grow and flower well. I can grow phrags with NP and I have quite a big one in a soda bottle.

Sounds like your greenhouse is in the cool to intermediate temperature range. I bet Miltonopsis grows well for you!