Hello dear slipper experts,
I didn't know whether to post this in the newbie section or here, but as it is more of a general culture question, I decided to post it here.
I've read a lot about watering and fertilizing, but it still remains the most problematic aspect of orchid culture to me. Here is how I currently water and fertilize my slippers:
Phragmipedium:
Watering: RO water mixed with tap water, between 30-60 μS, I keep my Phrags wet and water them every two to three days, when it's hot in the summer, daily.
Fertilizing: RO water mixed with fertilizer up to 100 μS every other or every third watering, usually about once, sometimes twice a week.
All my Phrags stand in about 1/2 inch/1cm of water, with the exception of popowii, which does not stand in water and which I only water when the medium starts to dry. Same schedule all year.
Paphiopedilum:
Watering: I treat these like my Phalaenopsis: RO water mixed with tap water, between 100-150 μS. I water when the medium starts to dry, about two to four times a week. I keep the medium moist, but not wet.
Fertilizing: RO water mixed with fertilizer, between 250-300 μS, every other watering, so once or twice a week.
I have mostly Parvisepalum and Sigmapetalum alliance Paphs. Seedlings and mature plants are treated the same.
I am sorry for all the questions, but I promise that I have used the search function extensively. Still, I am unsure if my methods are the right ones.
Thank you in advance for any replies.
I didn't know whether to post this in the newbie section or here, but as it is more of a general culture question, I decided to post it here.
I've read a lot about watering and fertilizing, but it still remains the most problematic aspect of orchid culture to me. Here is how I currently water and fertilize my slippers:
Phragmipedium:
Watering: RO water mixed with tap water, between 30-60 μS, I keep my Phrags wet and water them every two to three days, when it's hot in the summer, daily.
Fertilizing: RO water mixed with fertilizer up to 100 μS every other or every third watering, usually about once, sometimes twice a week.
All my Phrags stand in about 1/2 inch/1cm of water, with the exception of popowii, which does not stand in water and which I only water when the medium starts to dry. Same schedule all year.
Paphiopedilum:
Watering: I treat these like my Phalaenopsis: RO water mixed with tap water, between 100-150 μS. I water when the medium starts to dry, about two to four times a week. I keep the medium moist, but not wet.
Fertilizing: RO water mixed with fertilizer, between 250-300 μS, every other watering, so once or twice a week.
I have mostly Parvisepalum and Sigmapetalum alliance Paphs. Seedlings and mature plants are treated the same.
- Am I correct in assuming that Paphs have no winter rest, so I can use the same schedule all year? One species I am not sure about is micranthum. I have read conflicting info, some say this species needs a dry winter rest with reduced watering and no fertilizer and others say it doesn't. Which should I believe?
- Some weeks when I am very busy, some of my Paphs get quite dry or the medium almost dries out completely before I get to water them. Does this hurt the plants?
- I switch back and forth between two fertilizers: NPK 17-7-8 and NPK 20-5-10. Are these suitable for slippers?
- Is my watering and fertilizing schedule fine, what could I improve, or what am I doing wrong?
I am sorry for all the questions, but I promise that I have used the search function extensively. Still, I am unsure if my methods are the right ones.
Thank you in advance for any replies.
Last edited: