I've never used it. There is so many different products around promising to make your orchids spectacular.

Who knows? I have learned over the years that what is more important than any supplement is learning how to grow your plant...light, temperatures, watering.

A good fertilizer and most important, experience. You learn by making mistakes. You learn which plants can grow under your conditions and care and those which won't.

There is no miracle product which can replace knowledge and experience.

Jane

It seems to help with new root production which is helpful for people who like to collect orchids that others would throw away.

Thanks for the great input Jane. I agree. There is no magic product.

Aviolet6, I could use something to help with root growth. I have some orchids that were rescue orchids. Many need to grow roots. I think I will give it ago and see if it helps with that.

Time of year and growth phase of the plant is a major factor. I've had luck with a KLN rooting concentrate. I use it on both orchids and dirt plants. I use it in diluted form when reporting even with a good root system as it stimulates new root growth rapidly.

Again, time of year is important.

Jane

Wow great. I will definitely try that. That is very helpful. It has been very difficult finding healthy orchids in KS. Do you have any other great tips to pass on that every grower should know?

I found one from dyna-gro. Is that the brand you use or do you recommend it? Can I use this now since the plants have been repotted just about a week ago? How would you use that? While the plant is unpotted let it sit in the diluted concentrate or water with it? How often is it meant to be used? Thanks for your patience.

I swear by maxi-crop. A norwegian seaweed juice. Organic and renewable. It is a root stimulator and works very good. I add it to my fertilizer each time I feed...

What form of it do you use shavedmonkey?

How much do you add to your fertilizer?

There are many options on amazon. I don't want to get the wrong thing.

Since since you already repotted, you can soak the pot in it, I usually dilute. Soak for about an hour. Make sure the plant is getting strong light. You might want to supplement light with a lamp. The idea is to stimulate growth.

The days are short and plants are not in growth mode. Extra light, warmth should give a boost. I assume we are talking about a Phal?

Dont over water, keep it in a warm spot. Yes, I use Dyna-Gro rooting concentrate. I also use it diluted mixed with fertilizer on plants which need an extra push. Works great on transplants when other growing conditions are optimal. There are other supplements I use occasionally but not during the winter. This is not the best time to do any major work on a plant. But I do think a good rooting hormone is the best shot. Again, with warmth and additional light.

Jane

Thanks so much. I have a masdevallia, vanda, oncidium, cattleya, and a couple phals. My bathroom has a large window and it's S facing and I am able to control the light with the curtain. That's where I keep most of them. I will def try a rooting hormone.

I I have used Maxi crop based on Harvey's recommendation and have to agree that it is good stuff. I think it's the only product I've used that I can actually see a difference in growth.

I would use fertilizer on the masdevallia. They like pure water.

Can you tell me what type you used? There are many options on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dlawngarden&field-keywords=maxicrop

I also use the powdered. Much cheaper.

In my previous post I meant to say that I would NOT use fertilizer masdies.

Ok I figured. Could you explain why they don't like to be fertilized/why it's not beneficial? I haven't fertilized mine yet. Would the seaweed be a good option for the masdevallia? I also noticed that the powered form (0-0-17) has different NPK number than the liquid version (0-0-1). So do you dilute the powered version also? My fertilizer is:

I don't want the K to be any higher than what it already is.

Macronutrients:

• Total Nitrogen 13% (Nitrate Nitrogen 12.5%, Ammoniacal Nitrogen 0.7%)
• Phosphate 3.7%
• Potash 15.9%
• Calcium 8%
• Magnesium 2.6%

Micronutrients:

• Iron 0.177%
• Manganese 0.088%
• Zinc 0.044%
• Copper 0.044%
• Boron 0.018%
• Molybdenum 0.018%

I use quantum for my orchids and they love in 1 week ihad a new root on my mini phal just as I was going to toss it

Yes, I have used it and continue to use it. Like microbes in yogurt help us - it is the same with plants. These microbes, fungus like in mycorrhizae are very beneficial and necessary to help plants stand up to stress by various symbiotic relationships with the web of organisms in the ground. Now, whether it can work the same in a pot of bark I’m not sure but I do believe my plants look better and do better. I also use KelpMax because it deliver plant hormones to cause plants to grow more roots and for those roots to branch and have healthy tips provided general conditions are correct - it is the same with products like Quantum. This is the thing though - if you aren’t properly feeding, watering, providing the right humidity, using the right potting media for the type of orchid and giving the right light - no supplement will save a plant. You have to feed orchids with NPK, calcium and magnesium and a number of trace minerals for them to be healthy. Light needs to be right 1000-1500 fc for phals, 3000-5000 foot candles for cattleya, and even more for Vandas. Humidity needs to be a minimum of 50% - if your roots don’t have long pretty green or pinkish tips - they need more humidity. If your new growths are rotting and black - you need calcium, and you also need magnesium. I say get all the other things right and then try various supplements although KelpMax and rooting hormones can be used to help get roots going in order for the plant to recover from stress, repotting, etc to get healthy. Join the american orchid society (lots of free info too) and learn about orchids from the experts of over 100 yrs and also your local chapter.