So u are growing outside? My phrags paph obsession (new) moved from Nc to Tampa a month ago. Great new interest for lock down!
Will post my growing conditions once my courtyard is cleaned up in a week by heavy duty workers .
I know this will cause shudders but I have great luck w miracle grow liquid. (don’t throw me out of forum lol!)
lots of cattleyas and onciniums in my collection too
Hi Sherry,
Yes, all my orchids are grown outside here, but I have polycarbonate “roofs” over some. For most of the year, for most orchids, no roof is no problem for me. However, in the “winter” it is not unusual for us to have periods of rain and cloudy skies for a week or two, without a break. Then, I have had problems with crown rot, Botrytis, other bacterial/fungal types of problems. Phrags seem the most impervious to heavy rains, along with Vandas, mounted Bulbophyllums, and Catts in/on wooden baskets (no media), although sometimes plants have to take their chances with “space available,” and proper lighting/shading is the biggest determiner of where I put something. However, I keep my littlest phrags (<6 mo or so from flask; that first out-of-flask planting) under cover, as well as all Paphs, which suffered during those rainy spells.
Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with Miracle Gro, as long as you can avoid salt build up and leaf burn. More power to you! I quit using it on orchids after listening to the old-timers here in Hawaii talk about the different forms of N, salt build up, and the importance of micro-nutrients (not to mention good water, which is slightly related). Of course, there are lots of opinions out there and few scientific studies in ”hobbyist” conditions, which are actually quite varied.
Enjoy your new home! Best, Kate
