Either a) plant is inferior (always possible) or b) needs not being met (light and fertilizer) c) plant is ill (causes various)

What is BG spray?

hi

The phal was given to my wife for mother day in 82 always grown in a pot in the shadehouse until 3 years ago It regularly produced 6/8 wide x a dozen dlowers often double spiking. have no idea which but is a hybrid for sure . I have never used media on Phals as I'm too heavy handed with water though several others are mounted on cork I use Better grow weakly weekly

since I've had it It is mounted directly in the fork of a Cassia roxbughii .I used a bit of sphag when started . The roots completely encircle the tree and are now over 4 feet from the plant lol The sphag is long gone All are attached to the tree like they've been welded . Much different than pot where it often put out free roots even growing into other pots The tree is semi deciduous almost bare during winter It has just now completely leafed out so it is actually getting some direct sun though dappled .much brighter than the shadehouse for sure lol attaching any kind of media would be very difficult given the root growth ??

It did experience some low 40's in Feb but has never affected it before .

I have a pink in another tree which I thought was toast but is now spiking too soon to judge size and numbers

I'm thinking maybe stronger weekly ?? Im guessing that the fert is not as effective in this situation ?? Thanks for the advice gary

Sounds like you have found a host that the Phals like. Sometimes the orchids just refuse to attach to living trees, but Cassia seems to be an exception. Perhaps the long line hybrids are so far removed from their species ancestors that they don't know what they are "supposed" to grow on...☺ Don't let bloom count get you down, sounds like you have the situation well in hand.....enjoy.

Bill

I uses orchid plus at big boxes. I add maxi-crop, a seaweed root stimulant, and mag/cal additive, and I just started adding black strap molasses with good results. Mol- 1 Tbl. spn to gal. add to hot water first then to sprayer. Various trace elements may be important to your plant. Magnesium and calcium are very important. The seaweed spray is good for all plants. My tomatoes included. You will see more translucent tips!

Hi Gary. Can you increase the light? I bet its in a lot of shade in Fall when it begins to spike....just a guess as I have no idea when the tree loses its leaves. But the Phal leaves need light during the growth faze. So I would prune some of those leaves, branches, up the light and fertilize with anything high in N during the growth period. See if that works. I use any fertilizer I have laying around, lol!

Bill

You wouldn't want a roxburghii !! I raised it from seed took 12 years to flower and turned out to be the orange form rather than red .Saw one in full glory at Fairchild and HAD to have one. Didn't realize that there are several color varieties . . Doesn't seem to be as "seedy" as most Cassias at least so far. only sprouted in the compost bin so far lol If it will hold epiphytes then it will have a redeeming quality ?? I'm also using it for Brassidiums ,Epicatts ,vanilla some Broms and 3 types of epipyllums plus it holds up some Coconut orchids and leftovers from a "floofy" Catt but they are in pots.

Jane The Cr is semideciduous if the winter is warm {above 40) almost bare during winter This is a spring flowering Phal has never failed to flower on Mothers day except the first year on the tree This will be it's second season right on cue just disappointing as to nos and quality from what it has produced in the past . There is a Fireworks tree to the south that is spring deciduous flowering and heavily foliating in winter . It is almost bare now so light has tremendously increased .Too much to my mind?? but the roxburghii is refoliating but seem to be skipping flowering this year . I'm growing some mini phals under it BUT are attached to cork they are growing fine these are fall flowering types so no flowers as yet.

Shaved

have always used the better grow brand on all my orchids though I'm a bit sloppy on weekly weakly lol But have kept up on the tree mounted ones for the 3 years . have had very good luck in the past particularly with Phals.

After flowering I think I'll increase the strength .

My SH is in need of serious repairs so all my orchids are going out to the yard for better or worse

thanks to everyone for the ideas!!! gary

Gary, After reading all your posts, a thought has occurred (miracle of miracles) There is a possibility you are growing the Phal too hard. In the fall, reduce the fertilizer a bit, and reduce the amount of Nitrogen you are feeding it. Sometimes orchids will grow instead of bloom if they get too much frert., and especially too much Nitrogen. Its something I would consider.

Bill

Hi

Here is latest pic of the tree grown phal As you can see olnly 3 smaller flowers I took the pic from a distance to show the roots barely visible as vertical darker streaks well over 5 feet frome the plant and still growing!!

The pink on the other tree is spiking in spite of looking dead I think the rainy season has arrived so will step up the strength of the fert To the back left is a Hybrid Catt that is growing well but squirrels use it for a trampoline lol gary

In general, my tree grown orchids were less productive this year. I believe it was due to very cold temps last winter. It is hard to protect them from cold outdoors. It killed a catt. I had in a tree. it was not about the feed.

hi

Would tend to agree with you except I've had that Phal for 33 years ,wife got it as a present on mothers day so have no idea which variety. was always grown in a pot in the shadehouse moved to the tree 3 years ago where it always flowered in spring often with two spikes and never less than 12 flowers usually over 6 inches span.. Had it been subjected to cold would agree with you but low was 45 for around 3 hours and has been subjected to 30's in the shadehouse but never failed to flower .

This particular variety always maintains two leaves as a new one develops the oldest will fade. I suppose this should give me a clue as to the type ?? All my others maintain multiple leaves Regardless I'm sure it's a hybrid due to the source .

Have had mixed results with orchids on trees Catts cane Dends ,Epis and several types of Vandas Runaway best perfoorming are Epicatts .They seem to do better .Oldest is a Lcatt growing on a Carombola 8 years ,but has only flowered 4 of those but several times the sheath was eaten by something lol

Thanks gary

I said above the orchids outside were less productive this year. It is not just this year. It is every year. I have some reed stem epi's both inside and out. The outside produce less flowers and the canes are much shorter. Also, between fertilizer and culture, there are many more varibles on culture than fertilizer. Just a guess...