I really like the positive attitude you present. The joy you recieve by keeping something beautiful and caring for it is a nice respite from the reverse in society. I will never comprehend that. i suppose joy will have to be found where it is appreciated, as it exists for whoever wishes to behold such a thing wondrous, and yet fleeting in it's capture of the imagination.
Thank you for saying this so eloquently. Orchids are wondrous plants...I've grown them for 16 years and they never fail to amaze me with their beauty. Joy is indeed something to spread around in ample supply, as they do. Happy growing! :)
Such a great view from your window, what a joy! And i wish to have sun room for my almost 20 orchid plants. I am still lucky to have a huge area around my big square bath tub and 2 windows next to each other, facing diff directions. I also keep some plants in my big sunny kitchen, although in a winter need use plates with water around it, thanks for your advice! Your video, knowledge, voice making my day! ☺ Love and grow orchids for 2 decades. Was lucky to meet a client at my firm, who had Orchid green house for a hobby. He wrote books all about orchids and eventually became a judge on USA orchids shows every year. He also traveled all over the world, buying unusual kind of orchids and by mixing them with diff kinds, was a creator of a very new, gorgeous plants. Under his name he created 8 brand new orchid plants, naming them all with his grandkids's names. Thus, i had a chance to be on these shows in many states with him, got crazy about these wonderful plants and learn a lot in a process. The only thing back then nobody knew about water culture, so now i have to learn all new area for me. Although it's challenging so far, but i love it! To be honest, i love water culture so much better. First of all love to see roots, I am so happy to see how they doing, i can recognise the problem by just seeing the color of it's roots. No bugs, no rotten roots! And it easier to take care of them, at least I think so. ☺
Hi Linda! Thanks so much for sharing your story, and I think it's wonderful that you've been growing for 20 years! :) (I've been growing for 17 years!) It sounds like you have the perfect places to grow orchids. It's amazing that you got to attend shows with someone so skilled and knowledgeable about orchids...that's a great way to learn about them. Happy growing and have a great day!
I really enjoy watching and listening to your videos. You have a nice voice and a great disposition, which makes it easier to learn. Thank you for your kindness too!!!
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Yolanda! You made my day! :) I appreciate your positive feedback more than you know! Have a wonderful day and happy growing my friend!
Very cute indeedy. I love Einstein. Thank you for your lovely video. You have taught me a few good tips, and I am grateful as a freshman on orchid growing. The bug has bitten and I am thoroughly enjoying my new found love. Grateful thanks. Elaine Baxter from South Africa xx
Hi Catherine! Thanks so much for watching...and for your sweet comment! :) So glad to hear that you're enjoying growing orchids! Have a great day and happy growing!
Some one gave me an orchid 5 years ago and have given them(now I have 3) Epsom salts along with my other plants and it seems to work fine, also give it to my outdoor garden. Enjoying your channel God Bless
Excellent help with vanda care, thanks Amy this time of year, I have one that is still growing so I found your info on fertilising in the autumn with a still growing vanda very helpful. Thanks Amy!👍👍👍😊😊😊
Thanks for your positive feedback Chris, I'm so glad this was helpful to you! And thanks always for watching, I appreciate you more than you know! Have a great day and happy growing! :)
Happy to listen to your tips since you live where you have a cold winter, though not as cold as we get! Winter is frustrating since I can't get the house to the temperature that makes Orchids & family happy. Still working through that, hoping I can figure something out.
Hi Rene! It can be a challenge to keep orchids warm in the winter, especially in a really cold climate. Just a thought, if I lived in a colder climate than I do now, I would try to keep all my orchids in one room and climate control that smaller space. Thanks so much for watching and have a great day! :)
Hi Amy ,great tip using the epsom salts.I read also that phalaenopsis growers give their phals epsom salts in the fall to encourage flowering .your christmas cactus is beautiful ,i have several all flowering now too
Thanks so much for your comment and for passing on that info about Epsom salts, Tina! I'll be including my Christmas cacti's progress as they bloom...I love these plants. :) Happy growing and have a great day!
I take a waste basket, throw some fresh Banana Peals in it for a Fruit Fly Trap. Over the day they will find it, so once or twice a day you can throw a towel over the waste basket to hold them in trash basket. So you can walk it outdoors where you uncover the towel and release them a good distance from the house. It gets them out without poison, keeping your living environment safe..
Thank you Amy for a kind answer. If you don't mind, I would like to hear your opinion. Which way of growng orchids you prefer, which way is more sucsessful in your opinion? I transfered 18 of my 20 orchid plants to a water culture. I love the way they look in glass vases, enjoy taking care of them, although i found water culture takes more care, am i right? So far I am learning water culture and i like it, but I wonder which way of growing brings more satisfuction to you? Which way of growing brings more blooms, less mold, problems, etc. ? Thank you Amy!
Hi Linda and thanks so much for your sweet comment! I actually did a video last February on this topic, here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/wTy07y-AtS4/v-deo.html Every growing method has its ups and downs, and water culture does as well. I find it to be the most challenging growing method. I did a Pros and Cons videos for all my growing methods at the end of Jan through Feb 2018 that will interest you. The video I provided the link for above was a kind of summary to that series. Have a great day and happy growing!
Oooo amy dear im so honored you nicknamed it Einstein officially 😍 i hadn't watched the whole video i always speak before the rest of the video is over. And you just made my day. ❤ Love rose 🌹
Hi Rose! I kept thinking this phal needed a new name...I've had it for 9 years, after all. Einstein is perfect and it seems to be looking proud since it's been re-named. :) You always make me smile, Rose...you're a dear friend! Much love and many blessings to you, Amy
Hi, my name is Ute, your new subscriber. You featured a Christmas cactus in this segment. Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving cactus are called Schlumbergia, it is not the name of your blooming white Christmas cactus. It is the scientific name for the species. Regards, Ute.
Hello Ammy ---- it's interesting one ..... I am very old to your channel but in this comments section ofcourse a newbie ! Do you reply to all question even they are sily at your eyes ? can i use only epsom salt for foliar feeds ? How often i can ? my orchids are in short of magnesium ! what ppm i should mrasure ? Note plz : i am on holly clay pots with rocks as media !! may u be blessed too......
I really enjoy watching your videos. I still don’t really get why you would want to grow in straight water (no mix) - they just sort of flop around. Except for yours, the ones I have seen are mostly rotted but I noticed the difference is you don’t let the stem/base of the plant sit in the water - just part of the roots. Thus they can pull the moisture as needed, but other roots have plenty of air and by misting those - it seems to work. However, as I say, still think it is a floppy way to grow plants that prefer to be almost potbound and firmly in place. It reminds me of trees not properly planted that wobble around in the ground - they eventually give up and die because there is too much root movement but then orchids aren’t trees and in nature grow with roots all up in the breeze. See bottom of comments on MSU Magic Fertilizer formula. You know, I always thought that purple in stems, leaves and die back at tips was a phosphorus deficiency. Magnesium deficient will give you chlorosis of the leaves with veining (yellow leaves, dark green veins), low nitrogen will cause yellow, and little new growth. Lack of iron will also contribute to chlorosis. This an article from extension service (corn but all plants react the same)bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/print.php?id=1163 . There are lots of articles on the subject. You can easily have one or more deficiencies like a magnesium and phosphorus. I also understand from reading something from AOS and other types of plants that many of these deficiencies happen with over leeching of soil like lots of rain or too much watering. In good soil, it will self correct as the soil dries up; however with orchids especially those in the new all water experiments, or watered a lot growing in potting mixes that provide no nutrients - it is very easy to leech out what they need or what you just gave them. Thus the reason they say to fertilize with a balanced fertilizer at 1/4 strength (to a gallon) every watering, Though I’m not sure what you do when you grow in water. I’d be tempted to do a 1/16 strength in a gallon water and use this to keep them in all the time to provide them with those nutrients consistently as would happen if a plant in regular soil. Actually I might give hydroponics fertilizer a try that has macro and micro nutrients for all water growing. Sometimes it is best to start with a balanced fertilizer unless you are positive you are only missing 1 macro nutrient like calcium, etc. or one of the needed micronutrients such as iron, boron, manganese, etc. Then you can add just that a little bit to see if you get a response. But many times if a plant is missing one nutrient, they are missing another and each nutrient supports the other. Soil can have plenty of a nutrient but it might be locked up due to another deficiency. Lack of iron will also show chlorosis in the leaves but it can be because of the ph of the soil is off. In Azaleas,vvff if the soil ph is too high say a 7.5 or 8 (more alkaline) as opposed to the more acid soil they prefer which is 4.5 or 5, they will show yellow leaves with veining (chlorosis). A ph of 7 is neutral. You can help with iron, but you really need to amend the soil with sulfur to correct the problem longterm. Epson salts will help, but again it’s short term because it needs the soil ph corrected to unlock the available nutrients. This why many times at least annual use of compost will unlock all of it’s potential - an example is clay soil. It actually has lots of nutrients but you have to unbind them so the plant can use, i.e., compost, or a change in ph, etc. This is why with soil or potting mixes you need to know you are working with by testing, Water also works off ph levels - like soil, it is very helpful to know what your city supplied water runs, or well water or RO. It is also my understanding, softened water isn’t good for orchids (sodium added and ph affected). (N) Nitrogen gives you growth/new leaves, is vital to chlorophyll, which allows plants to carry out photosynthesis (the process by which they take in sunlight to produce sugars from carbon dioxide and water). If your plants are putting out lots of new growth, but no blooms (or fruit), then you want a fertilizer such as a 0/10/10 or other such combo. (P) phosphorus gives you roots, plays a role in an array of functions necessary for healthy plant growth, contributing to structural strength, crop quality, seed production, and encourages the growth of roots, and promotes blooming. (K) potassium contributes to growth and development, is often referred to as the “quality element,” because of its contribution to many of the characteristics we associate with quality, such as size, shape, color, even taste in vegetables and fruits. Plants low in potassium are stunted in growth and provide lower yields. The higher the number, the more concentrated the nutrient is in the fertilizer. For example, numbers on fertilizer listed as 20-5-5 has four times more nitrogen in it than phosphorus and potassium. A 20-20-20 fertilizer has twice as much concentration of all three nutrients than 10-10-10. For those who haven’t seen it, here is an excellence article on Michigan State University’s Magic Fertilizer” for orchids (they have won lots of cultural excellence awards etc. on their orchids). There is a formula for reverse osmosis (13-3-15) and one for well water (19-4-23). Works also with tap or rain water as directed. www.aos.org/orchids/additional-resources/a-new-fertilizer-without-high-phosphorus.aspx I hope someone can use this info. Your orchids do look wonderful even your phalaenopsis growing in very bright light (looks to be in same light as your dendrobiums) which I always thought required much more light -more like a cattleya. I might try them. I always did cattleyas but had to have grow lights and just don’t have them up right now so sticking to phalaenopsis which seem to be happy with east window and on a counter back aways from Southwest window. Keep up the great work..we enjoy learning from your experiences. everything-orchids.com/orchid-care/orchid-fertilizerMacronutrientsHydrogen (H) - food productionCarbon (C) - food productionOxygen (O) - food productionNitrogen (N) - leave and stem growthPhosphorus (P) - flower productionPotassium (K) - general good health and orchid issue buildingCalcium (Ca) - cell wall formation and cell activity regulationSulfur (S) - combined with nitrogen and phosphorus to produce proteinsMagnesium (Mg) - part of chlorophyll molecule and thus for producing foodMicronutrients - catalysts in vital chemical reactionsIron (Fe)Manganese (Mn)Zinc (Zn)Copper (Cu)Boron (B)Molybdenum (Mo)Chlorine (Cl)Hydrogen, carbon and oxygen are available from air and water, so you don’t need a fertilizer that includes these elements. Most fertilizers also do not include any of the micronutrients because the trace amount can be found in the tap water and potting material. So that means most plant food only includes nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur and magnesium.If you are using rain or reverse osmosis water, you need to find a fertilizer that contains all of the macronutrients and micronutrients, since rain and reverse osmosis water don’t come with them. But the “complete fertilizer” in the market only means that it contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It’s really not that complete, so read the fine print on the label
I love listening to you...I have a favorite cousin in TN and it’s like talking to her! Do you have a preferred potting mix (bark or spag moss or a mix) and I notice you have both plastic and clay...any preference for phalaenopsis. Also your christmas cactus is beautiful. I have had a couple of these...I just thought they came in a couple colors that bloom either easter, christmas, or thanksgiving. So wrong...there are so many types, colors, sizes, etc. For anyone interest in these plants that some look like little orchids (some not so little blooms either), do a search on pinterest on the genus Schlumbergera and also Zygocactus. You will be amazed. I use with good results those little yellow sticky cards (for aphids and white flies). You can cut them and spread around. Also there is a natural product called Gnatrol (I think) it is a B.T. product but this a different B.T. than what is used to kill caterpillars like on cabbage or tomatoes. I forget which variety it is but the brand is Gnatrol. I have read articles that the reason you get them is because plants are very high in fungas rich material (old potting bark, etc);or plants are kept too wet. But then that makes sense since you are using so much water. I don’t know about using it around the plants...but I have found orange oil (in the spray bottle for polishing furniture - just orange oil, natural) works well too and it smells good. In the summer when I get gnats from peaches, bananas, etc. - I will put a piece of each of them in a bowl, wait til they have gathered in droves and hit them with the orange oil spray. Twice of this...and all gone until I bring more home. Bit it is kick. God Bless.....
Hi and thanks so much for your comment and information! I grow most of my phals in orchid grade premium sphagnum moss and in bark, and a couple are in water culture. I choose the media according to what the plant does best in. Blessings to you and thanks again for watching! Happy growing! :)
Good morning, great video very informative and I will take you up on the mag. infor I also have a little of purple on my phals Now concerning my Aeridovanda beth and aerides korat koki well Im having a tough time keeping them hydrated, I soak them every day for about 2 hrs and them on the third or forth day for 6 hr. they still are a little shriveled and Beth still has a lot of leaves that wont open, mind you though I've only had them for a month. Any suggestions will be very appreciated. Thanks and have a great day.
Hi Maria and thank you so much! It sounds like the orchids are adjusting to their new environment, and it takes some time. If you're having difficulty keeping them hydrated, I would place some damp orchid grade sphagnum moss around the top of the pot to help them along. I'm doing the same thing with some of mine that have long air roots and it's hard for me to keep them misted this time of the year since it's cooler. Keep me posted, and have a great day! :)
Hi Christina and thanks so much for your sweet comment! :) I bought my holiday cacti at Kroger, right before Thanksgiving. That's usually when they sell them. Have a great day!
Orchid Whisperer I forgot to tell you my little miniature fowl has seven leaves a new Leaf coming out on it and it's reblooming from the very point of the old flower stem I'm tickled to death about it because she is one of my favorite orchids as a matter of fact her little flowers are so pretty cuz they're yellow on the outside and pink on the inside just beautiful they look like little stars👉👵👈
Wow Libby! Congratulations my friend! This sounds like the mini phal I bought a few months ago, I think we have the same one!! I'm so glad it's reblooming and has all those leaves! Thanks so much for sharing this with me...Yay! I'm so happy for you! :))
My deliciosa and lindinii x equestris have spiked in FWC but maybe won’t again as they’ve been put in water culture but were in other media when they arrived and may have got what they needed to spike in their previous media? Oh goodness I’m a bit confused but think I may up their very low dose of fertiliser a bit to see if they will survive and spike for me next year in FWC, but have the spaghnum moss to hand if they stall. 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Hi Chris! If your orchid spiked in FWC and the plant looks good, that means she's happy. I wouldn't change anything. In my book, spikes equal success! :) It's good to have media on hand, that's always a good back-up plan. Please keep me posted, I'm hoping that everything grows really well for you! :) Amy
Hi Amy, I loved this installment! I thought of this video today when I found one phal whose new growing root tips was not only bright, lime green but also tinged with purple.....I don't see that on any other phals. Have you ever seen this? This particular phal has lots of purple in it's new leaves, underside of old leaves, and lavendar blossoms....but I have a lot of phals with similar coloring, except for these funny root tips...I wonder if it is magnesium deficiency? What do you think? Thank you so much for any input....Cara
Hi Cara! I have some phals with purple root tips, especially the ones that have purple blooms. You can add a small amount of Epsom salts to your water (not your fertilizer) like I mention in this video, and that will prevent mag deficiency. But just because a leaf or root tips are purple tinged, doesn't necessarily mean it's mag deficient. If the blooms are normally purple, you're going to get that purple pigmentation elsewhere on the plant as well. Thanks always for watching and happy growing my friend! :)
Orchid Whisperer thank you, Amy. I give them cal mag once in a while....is epsom salt preferred for any reason? Do folks use it because it is a cheaper source of magnesium....is it easier for the plant to uptake? Thank you, btw...I watch your videos all the time, I am learning so much....
Hi Cara! I use Epsom salts because I already have a high mineral (calcium) content in my tap water. So I don't need to use Cal Mag, when I have an abundant source of calcium in my water. As far as the magnesium source, all magnesium sulfate is the same, the difference is how it's packaged. Thanks always for watching my friend....and have a wonderful day! :))
Orchid Whisperer thank you Amy! Now I will go do some research on magnesium sulfate....this hobby leads in all sorts of interesting directions, doesn't it? God is good and His creation is wonderful to explore😊 I love learning new things, don't you?
Hi Christinna! When I'm buying from a grower, I start with asking them how to care for it first. That's the ideal source to start with. Also, I have some really good orchid resource books in my library, and I look up the care on the American Orchid Society's website, aos.org. There's a lot of good information there. I also like to get feedback from other growers on my channel or growers in or near my area. Experience is a great teacher! :) Have a great day! :)
Hi Linda and thanks for your sweet comment! I use CalMag with all my orchids. I do seasonal videos on how I fertilize all the orchids in my collection. Have a great day and happy growing! :)
hi amy.. are you still doing water culture or are you moving towards moss and bark now.. and also my fertiliser i just bought... (put the ingred list on Ricks page) has cal / mag as well... what should i be looking for when there is a deficiency /?
Hi Chris! I'm growing in all three methods...moss, bark and water culture. I did a video last month that might interest you, "Reasons why to convert orchids to media from water culture" publish date Sept 13, 2017. I cover a lot of information in that video about my own experience with all 3 media. If you have a fertilizer that has cal/mag in it, you shouldn't have a deficiency...it will prevent it. A few of my phals had old flower spikes that suddenly turned purple and had some purple tint on the margins of the leaves, so I knew they needed some mag. I'm showing in my next video that one of my phals has a pink tinge to a new leaf, but that's perfectly normal for that plant. In this case, it's just the genetics of the plant. Have a great day and happy growing! ;0
Hi Amy, just wondering do you give Cal mag week 1and fertilizer each week 2 for phals all times?😳 I am starting to fertilizer now. Also do I need to soak the phal before give them Cal mag? Thanks
Hi Joanne! I have a recent video on how I'm fertilizing my Phals this summer...here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/yRaGOwZ6e5g/v-deo.html If you have any other questions, let me know! Happy growing! Amy
Hello. Your name? 😉☺️. I was wondering if you can give tips on the Christmas Cactus? I have 2 but none bloomed for me this Christmas! I did have one years ago and it bloomed 2 X for me. Any fertilizer suggestions? . Jo Anne ☺️
Joanne Acevedo Hi Joanne! I have a video, "Tutorial on how I grow my Thanksgiving/ Christmas cactus throughout the year" publish date Nov 15, 2017. I don't start fertilizing mine until April. Thanks so much for watching and have a great day! Amy :)
Hello Amy, I have seen your video but I didnt understand how to give the epsom salt to my phlas but in sphangmus moss? Only in water culture. Thanks for your help.
Hi Andreina! I feed the Epsom salts the same rate to all my phals, whether they're in moss, bark or in water culture. I use 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water or about 150-200 tds. Thanks again for watching! Have a great day! :)
Hi Samantha! I use Epsom salts at 20-30 ppm. I just cured one with Magnesium deficiency at this rate...I did a video about it and here's the link: ua-cam.com/users/edit?o=U&video_id=ImoKdqc6qSc
I bought my phal because of its dark colored, almost purple leaves and flower stalk. Could that be the type of phal or are all phal leaves and flower stalks green?
Hi Dawn! Phal leaves should be green, not purple. I suggest you try some Epsom salts...purple leaves are a sign of magnesium deficiency. Sometimes when the new leaves first start growing, they might have a purple tint, but that should go away as the leaf matures. Have a great day! :)
It's one-eighth of a teaspoon...not 1.8 teaspoons. One-eighth of a teaspoon is .62 ml. (Conversions from teaspoons to metric is confusing, but 1/8 of a teaspoon is a very small amount.) So you'll dissolve .62 ml in 1 gallon of water.
lol ... no i meant is the eight of a tsp...but is the .62mls that conversion....thanks for the replying though rick uses a different measure ... wondering the difference...would help them..
Hi Chris! I'm using this concentration of mag because of my growing conditions. If you have a severe mag deficiency, give them a larger dose a few times, then taper off your dose. I don't have mag deficiency, so I'm giving trace amounts to keep from having a deficiency. I tend to feed small doses of fertilizers and supplements to prevent deficiencies from ever happening. Have a great day and happy growing!
Hi and thanks so much for watching! I've never grown prayer plants! But I think anything that blooms would benefit from Epsom salts, or even better, CalMag that has magnesium (Epsom salts) in it. Happy growing!
I really like the positive attitude you present. The joy you recieve by keeping something beautiful and caring for it is a nice respite from the reverse in society. I will never comprehend that. i suppose joy will have to be found where it is appreciated, as it exists for whoever wishes to behold such a thing wondrous, and yet fleeting in it's capture of the imagination.
Thank you for saying this so eloquently. Orchids are wondrous plants...I've grown them for 16 years and they never fail to amaze me with their beauty. Joy is indeed something to spread around in ample supply, as they do. Happy growing! :)
This video has been a wealth of information (I took notes!). Thanks so much!
So glad it was helpful! 😊🌺
Such a great view from your window, what a joy! And i wish to have sun room for my almost 20 orchid plants. I am still lucky to have a huge area around my big square bath tub and 2 windows next to each other, facing diff directions. I also keep some plants in my big sunny kitchen, although in a winter need use plates with water around it, thanks for your advice!
Your video, knowledge, voice making my day! ☺
Love and grow orchids for 2 decades. Was lucky to meet a client at my firm, who had Orchid green house for a hobby. He wrote books all about orchids and eventually became a judge on USA orchids shows every year. He also traveled all over the world, buying unusual kind of orchids and by mixing them with diff kinds, was a creator of a very new, gorgeous plants. Under his name he created 8 brand new orchid plants, naming them all with his grandkids's names. Thus, i had a chance to be on these shows in many states with him, got crazy about these wonderful plants and learn a lot in a process. The only thing back then nobody knew about water culture, so now i have to learn all new area for me. Although it's challenging so far, but i love it! To be honest, i love water culture so much better. First of all love to see roots, I am so happy to see how they doing, i can recognise the problem by just seeing the color of it's roots. No bugs, no rotten roots! And it easier to take care of them, at least I think so. ☺
Hi Linda! Thanks so much for sharing your story, and I think it's wonderful that you've been growing for 20 years! :) (I've been growing for 17 years!) It sounds like you have the perfect places to grow orchids. It's amazing that you got to attend shows with someone so skilled and knowledgeable about orchids...that's a great way to learn about them. Happy growing and have a great day!
I really enjoy watching and listening to your videos. You have a nice voice and a great disposition, which makes it easier to learn. Thank you for your kindness too!!!
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Yolanda! You made my day! :) I appreciate your positive feedback more than you know! Have a wonderful day and happy growing my friend!
Very cute indeedy. I love Einstein. Thank you for your lovely video. You have taught me a few good tips, and I am grateful as a freshman on orchid growing. The bug has bitten and I am thoroughly enjoying my new found love. Grateful thanks. Elaine Baxter from South Africa xx
Hi Catherine! Thanks so much for watching...and for your sweet comment! :) So glad to hear that you're enjoying growing orchids! Have a great day and happy growing!
Great tips on fertilizing. 👍👍👍 and i love that christmas cactus. Very healthy and pretty
Some one gave me an orchid 5 years ago and have given them(now I have 3) Epsom salts along with my other plants and it seems to work fine, also give it to my outdoor garden. Enjoying your channel God Bless
Excellent help with vanda care, thanks Amy this time of year, I have one that is still growing so I found your info on fertilising in the autumn with a still growing vanda very helpful. Thanks Amy!👍👍👍😊😊😊
Thanks for your positive feedback Chris, I'm so glad this was helpful to you! And thanks always for watching, I appreciate you more than you know! Have a great day and happy growing! :)
I'll be back home in Tennessee all next week spending thanksgiving with my family. I really enjoy your videos. Your orchids look great.
Thank you so much for your kind comment! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
Happy to listen to your tips since you live where you have a cold winter, though not as cold as we get! Winter is frustrating since I can't get the house to the temperature that makes Orchids & family happy. Still working through that, hoping I can figure something out.
Hi Rene! It can be a challenge to keep orchids warm in the winter, especially in a really cold climate. Just a thought, if I lived in a colder climate than I do now, I would try to keep all my orchids in one room and climate control that smaller space. Thanks so much for watching and have a great day! :)
You share so much joy to your fans! Love your insights and you are so inspiring as always. Love your vlogs! Be well❤️
Thanks so much for your awesome comment...it made my day! :) Happy growing!
Wow! Stunning colour of yr vanda Tayanne Cerise & Einsten .. 👍
Hi and thanks so much! I'll be doing more updates on Einstein as the spike continues to bloom. :) Have a great day!
Hi Amy ,great tip using the epsom salts.I read also that phalaenopsis growers give their phals epsom salts in the fall to encourage flowering .your christmas cactus is beautiful ,i have several all flowering now too
Thanks so much for your comment and for passing on that info about Epsom salts, Tina! I'll be including my Christmas cacti's progress as they bloom...I love these plants. :) Happy growing and have a great day!
Epson salts are also great for roses, tomatoes, and peppers. I also use Neptune 3/2/1 Seaweed/Fish emulsion to pick up micronutrients.
I take a waste basket, throw some fresh Banana Peals in it for a Fruit Fly Trap. Over the day they will find it, so once or twice a day you can throw a towel over the waste basket to hold them in trash basket. So you can walk it outdoors where you uncover the towel and release them a good distance from the house.
It gets them out without poison, keeping your living environment safe..
Thanks so much for sharing this! GREAT idea! I don't use chemicals in my growing areas, so this is perfect! Have a wonderful day!
Thank you Amy for a kind answer. If you don't mind, I would like to hear your opinion. Which way of growng orchids you prefer, which way is more sucsessful in your opinion? I transfered 18 of my 20 orchid plants to a water culture. I love the way they look in glass vases, enjoy taking care of them, although i found water culture takes more care, am i right? So far I am learning water culture and i like it, but I wonder which way of growing brings more satisfuction to you? Which way of growing brings more blooms, less mold, problems, etc. ? Thank you Amy!
Hi Linda and thanks so much for your sweet comment! I actually did a video last February on this topic, here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/wTy07y-AtS4/v-deo.html
Every growing method has its ups and downs, and water culture does as well. I find it to be the most challenging growing method. I did a Pros and Cons videos for all my growing methods at the end of Jan through Feb 2018 that will interest you. The video I provided the link for above was a kind of summary to that series. Have a great day and happy growing!
Oooo amy dear im so honored you nicknamed it Einstein officially 😍 i hadn't watched the whole video i always speak before the rest of the video is over. And you just made my day. ❤
Love rose 🌹
Hi Rose! I kept thinking this phal needed a new name...I've had it for 9 years, after all. Einstein is perfect and it seems to be looking proud since it's been re-named. :) You always make me smile, Rose...you're a dear friend! Much love and many blessings to you, Amy
The new roots in water culture is prob bc it's looking for something to hang onto so it's stable to support top growth.
I believe you're right! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, my name is Ute, your new subscriber. You featured a Christmas cactus in this segment. Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving cactus are called Schlumbergia, it is not the name of your blooming white Christmas cactus. It is the scientific name for the species. Regards, Ute.
A wonderful video, Amy!
Thanks so much, Barb! Have a great day! :)
so beautiful. I like your video, number 169
Thank you so much! :)
Hi, try a cold shock with your phalienopsis maybe is too warm for her, bloom guaranty!
Hello Ammy ----
it's interesting one ..... I am very old to your channel but in this comments section ofcourse a newbie !
Do you reply to all question even they are sily at your eyes ?
can i use only epsom salt for foliar feeds ?
How often i can ?
my orchids are in short of magnesium !
what ppm i should mrasure ?
Note plz :
i am on holly clay pots with rocks as media !!
may u be blessed too......
Hi, l just repotted my cymbidium. On the bag of the potting media” feed for 6 months” . Does it mean that l don’t have to fertilize in 6 months?
I really enjoy watching your videos. I still don’t really get why you would want to grow in straight water (no mix) - they just sort of flop around. Except for yours, the ones I have seen are mostly rotted but I noticed the difference is you don’t let the stem/base of the plant sit in the water - just part of the roots. Thus they can pull the moisture as needed, but other roots have plenty of air and by misting those - it seems to work. However, as I say, still think it is a floppy way to grow plants that prefer to be almost potbound and firmly in place. It reminds me of trees not properly planted that wobble around in the ground - they eventually give up and die because there is too much root movement but then orchids aren’t trees and in nature grow with roots all up in the breeze. See bottom of comments on MSU Magic Fertilizer formula.
You know, I always thought that purple in stems, leaves and die back at tips was a phosphorus deficiency. Magnesium deficient will give you chlorosis of the leaves with veining (yellow leaves, dark green veins), low nitrogen will cause yellow, and little new growth. Lack of iron will also contribute to chlorosis. This an article from extension service (corn but all plants react the same)bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/print.php?id=1163 . There are lots of articles on the subject. You can easily have one or more deficiencies like a magnesium and phosphorus. I also understand from reading something from AOS and other types of plants that many of these deficiencies happen with over leeching of soil like lots of rain or too much watering. In good soil, it will self correct as the soil dries up; however with orchids especially those in the new all water experiments, or watered a lot growing in potting mixes that provide no nutrients - it is very easy to leech out what they need or what you just gave them. Thus the reason they say to fertilize with a balanced fertilizer at 1/4 strength (to a gallon) every watering, Though I’m not sure what you do when you grow in water. I’d be tempted to do a 1/16 strength in a gallon water and use this to keep them in all the time to provide them with those nutrients consistently as would happen if a plant in regular soil. Actually I might give hydroponics fertilizer a try that has macro and micro nutrients for all water growing. Sometimes it is best to start with a balanced fertilizer unless you are positive you are only missing 1 macro nutrient like calcium, etc. or one of the needed micronutrients such as iron, boron, manganese, etc. Then you can add just that a little bit to see if you get a response. But many times if a plant is missing one nutrient, they are missing another and each nutrient supports the other. Soil can have plenty of a nutrient but it might be locked up due to another deficiency. Lack of iron will also show chlorosis in the leaves but it can be because of the ph of the soil is off. In Azaleas,vvff if the soil ph is too high say a 7.5 or 8 (more alkaline) as opposed to the more acid soil they prefer which is 4.5 or 5, they will show yellow leaves with veining (chlorosis). A ph of 7 is neutral. You can help with iron, but you really need to amend the soil with sulfur to correct the problem longterm. Epson salts will help, but again it’s short term because it needs the soil ph corrected to unlock the available nutrients. This why many times at least annual use of compost will unlock all of it’s potential - an example is clay soil. It actually has lots of nutrients but you have to unbind them so the plant can use, i.e., compost, or a change in ph, etc. This is why with soil or potting mixes you need to know you are working with by testing, Water also works off ph levels - like soil, it is very helpful to know what your city supplied water runs, or well water or RO. It is also my understanding, softened water isn’t good for orchids (sodium added and ph affected).
(N) Nitrogen gives you growth/new leaves, is vital to chlorophyll, which allows plants to carry out photosynthesis (the process by which they take in sunlight to produce sugars from carbon dioxide and water). If your plants are putting out lots of new growth, but no blooms (or fruit), then you want a fertilizer such as a 0/10/10 or other such combo. (P) phosphorus gives you roots, plays a role in an array of functions necessary for healthy plant growth, contributing to structural strength, crop quality, seed production, and encourages the growth of roots, and promotes blooming. (K) potassium contributes to growth and development, is often referred to as the “quality element,” because of its contribution to many of the characteristics we associate with quality, such as size, shape, color, even taste in vegetables and fruits. Plants low in potassium are stunted in growth and provide lower yields. The higher the number, the more concentrated the nutrient is in the fertilizer. For example, numbers on fertilizer listed as 20-5-5 has four times more nitrogen in it than phosphorus and potassium. A 20-20-20 fertilizer has twice as much concentration of all three nutrients than 10-10-10.
For those who haven’t seen it, here is an excellence article on Michigan State University’s Magic Fertilizer” for orchids (they have won lots of cultural excellence awards etc. on their orchids). There is a formula for reverse osmosis (13-3-15) and one for well water (19-4-23). Works also with tap or rain water as directed. www.aos.org/orchids/additional-resources/a-new-fertilizer-without-high-phosphorus.aspx
I hope someone can use this info. Your orchids do look wonderful even your phalaenopsis growing in very bright light (looks to be in same light as your dendrobiums) which I always thought required much more light -more like a cattleya. I might try them. I always did cattleyas but had to have grow lights and just don’t have them up right now so sticking to phalaenopsis which seem to be happy with east window and on a counter back aways from Southwest window. Keep up the great work..we enjoy learning from your experiences.
everything-orchids.com/orchid-care/orchid-fertilizerMacronutrientsHydrogen (H) - food productionCarbon (C) - food productionOxygen (O) - food productionNitrogen (N) - leave and stem growthPhosphorus (P) - flower productionPotassium (K) - general good health and orchid issue buildingCalcium (Ca) - cell wall formation and cell activity regulationSulfur (S) - combined with nitrogen and phosphorus to produce proteinsMagnesium (Mg) - part of chlorophyll molecule and thus for producing foodMicronutrients - catalysts in vital chemical reactionsIron (Fe)Manganese (Mn)Zinc (Zn)Copper (Cu)Boron (B)Molybdenum (Mo)Chlorine (Cl)Hydrogen, carbon and oxygen are available from air and water, so you don’t need a fertilizer that includes these elements. Most fertilizers also do not include any of the micronutrients because the trace amount can be found in the tap water and potting material. So that means most plant food only includes nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur and magnesium.If you are using rain or reverse osmosis water, you need to find a fertilizer that contains all of the macronutrients and micronutrients, since rain and reverse osmosis water don’t come with them. But the “complete fertilizer” in the market only means that it contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It’s really not that complete, so read the fine print on the label
Thank you so much for your kind comment and the information! Have a great day! :)
I love listening to you...I have a favorite cousin in TN and it’s like talking to her!
Do you have a preferred potting mix (bark or spag moss or a mix) and I notice you have both plastic and clay...any preference for phalaenopsis. Also your christmas cactus is beautiful. I have had a couple of these...I just thought they came in a couple colors that bloom either easter, christmas, or thanksgiving. So wrong...there are so many types, colors, sizes, etc. For anyone interest in these plants that some look like little orchids (some not so little blooms either), do a search on pinterest on the genus Schlumbergera and also Zygocactus. You will be amazed.
I use with good results those little yellow sticky cards (for aphids and white flies). You can cut them and spread around. Also there is a natural product called Gnatrol (I think) it is a B.T. product but this a different B.T. than what is used to kill caterpillars like on cabbage or tomatoes. I forget which variety it is but the brand is Gnatrol. I have read articles that the reason you get them is because plants are very high in fungas rich material (old potting bark, etc);or plants are kept too wet. But then that makes sense since you are using so much water. I don’t know about using it around the plants...but I have found orange oil (in the spray bottle for polishing furniture - just orange oil, natural) works well too and it smells good. In the summer when I get gnats from peaches, bananas, etc. - I will put a piece of each of them in a bowl, wait til they have gathered in droves and hit them with the orange oil spray. Twice of this...and all gone until I bring more home. Bit it is kick.
God Bless.....
Hi and thanks so much for your comment and information! I grow most of my phals in orchid grade premium sphagnum moss and in bark, and a couple are in water culture. I choose the media according to what the plant does best in. Blessings to you and thanks again for watching! Happy growing! :)
Hi do you turn the plant over towards u after they open to enjoy ?? Or do I have to leave it alone so I don't lose the flowers. Tjanks
Hi Leticia! I turn the plant so that I can enjoy the blooms while it's blooming. Happy growing! :)
Good morning, great video very informative and I will take you up on the mag. infor I also have a little of purple on my phals
Now concerning my Aeridovanda beth and aerides korat koki well Im having a tough time keeping them hydrated, I soak them
every day for about 2 hrs and them on the third or forth day for 6 hr. they still are a little shriveled and Beth still has a lot of leaves
that wont open, mind you though I've only had them for a month. Any suggestions will be very appreciated. Thanks and have a great day.
Hi Maria and thank you so much! It sounds like the orchids are adjusting to their new environment, and it takes some time. If you're having difficulty keeping them hydrated, I would place some damp orchid grade sphagnum moss around the top of the pot to help them along. I'm doing the same thing with some of mine that have long air roots and it's hard for me to keep them misted this time of the year since it's cooler. Keep me posted, and have a great day! :)
Thanks and will do and I will keep you posted,
Have a great day.
Beautiful!!!!
Thank you Terry! :)
Amy.love all you advice on orchid were did you purchase your Christmas cactus would love you purchase one
Hi Christina and thanks so much for your sweet comment! :) I bought my holiday cacti at Kroger, right before Thanksgiving. That's usually when they sell them. Have a great day!
You're not Amy you are🎶🎵🎼😎THE ORCHID WHISPER😎🎼🎶🎵 I said that to the tune of 007.😍
👉👵👈
Hi Libby! LOL! I loved this comment! 007 music is awesome! :) Thank you so much my friend...I appreciate you more than you know! Have a splendid day!
Orchid Whisperer have a beautiful blessed day!
Orchid Whisperer I forgot to tell you my little miniature fowl has seven leaves a new Leaf coming out on it and it's reblooming from the very point of the old flower stem I'm tickled to death about it because she is one of my favorite orchids as a matter of fact her little flowers are so pretty cuz they're yellow on the outside and pink on the inside just beautiful they look like little stars👉👵👈
Wow Libby! Congratulations my friend! This sounds like the mini phal I bought a few months ago, I think we have the same one!! I'm so glad it's reblooming and has all those leaves! Thanks so much for sharing this with me...Yay! I'm so happy for you! :))
My deliciosa and lindinii x equestris have spiked in FWC but maybe won’t again as they’ve been put in water culture but were in other media when they arrived and may have got what they needed to spike in their previous media? Oh goodness I’m a bit confused but think I may up their very low dose of fertiliser a bit to see if they will survive and spike for me next year in FWC, but have the spaghnum moss to hand if they stall. 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Hi Chris! If your orchid spiked in FWC and the plant looks good, that means she's happy. I wouldn't change anything. In my book, spikes equal success! :) It's good to have media on hand, that's always a good back-up plan. Please keep me posted, I'm hoping that everything grows really well for you! :) Amy
Hi Amy, I loved this installment! I thought of this video today when I found one phal whose new growing root tips was not only bright, lime green but also tinged with purple.....I don't see that on any other phals. Have you ever seen this? This particular phal has lots of purple in it's new leaves, underside of old leaves, and lavendar blossoms....but I have a lot of phals with similar coloring, except for these funny root tips...I wonder if it is magnesium deficiency? What do you think? Thank you so much for any input....Cara
Hi Cara! I have some phals with purple root tips, especially the ones that have purple blooms. You can add a small amount of Epsom salts to your water (not your fertilizer) like I mention in this video, and that will prevent mag deficiency. But just because a leaf or root tips are purple tinged, doesn't necessarily mean it's mag deficient. If the blooms are normally purple, you're going to get that purple pigmentation elsewhere on the plant as well. Thanks always for watching and happy growing my friend! :)
Orchid Whisperer thank you, Amy. I give them cal mag once in a while....is epsom salt preferred for any reason? Do folks use it because it is a cheaper source of magnesium....is it easier for the plant to uptake? Thank you, btw...I watch your videos all the time, I am learning so much....
Hi Cara! I use Epsom salts because I already have a high mineral (calcium) content in my tap water. So I don't need to use Cal Mag, when I have an abundant source of calcium in my water. As far as the magnesium source, all magnesium sulfate is the same, the difference is how it's packaged. Thanks always for watching my friend....and have a wonderful day! :))
Orchid Whisperer thank you Amy! Now I will go do some research on magnesium sulfate....this hobby leads in all sorts of interesting directions, doesn't it? God is good and His creation is wonderful to explore😊 I love learning new things, don't you?
I was wondering where you go to find out the information regarding the plant?
Hi Christinna! When I'm buying from a grower, I start with asking them how to care for it first. That's the ideal source to start with. Also, I have some really good orchid resource books in my library, and I look up the care on the American Orchid Society's website, aos.org. There's a lot of good information there. I also like to get feedback from other growers on my channel or growers in or near my area. Experience is a great teacher! :) Have a great day! :)
Orchid Whisperer
Cool sounds good thank you☺!
Hi Amy, thank you for your helpful, always happy videous.
Can you please let me know if you use CalMag for wandas only or for all Orchids? Thank you
Hi Linda and thanks for your sweet comment! I use CalMag with all my orchids. I do seasonal videos on how I fertilize all the orchids in my collection. Have a great day and happy growing! :)
hi amy.. are you still doing water culture or are you moving towards moss and bark now..
and also my fertiliser i just bought... (put the ingred list on Ricks page) has cal / mag as well... what should i be looking for when there is a deficiency /?
Hi Chris! I'm growing in all three methods...moss, bark and water culture. I did a video last month that might interest you, "Reasons why to convert orchids to media from water culture" publish date Sept 13, 2017. I cover a lot of information in that video about my own experience with all 3 media. If you have a fertilizer that has cal/mag in it, you shouldn't have a deficiency...it will prevent it. A few of my phals had old flower spikes that suddenly turned purple and had some purple tint on the margins of the leaves, so I knew they needed some mag. I'm showing in my next video that one of my phals has a pink tinge to a new leaf, but that's perfectly normal for that plant. In this case, it's just the genetics of the plant. Have a great day and happy growing! ;0
thanks Amy for the reply ....
Hi Amy, just wondering do you give Cal mag week 1and fertilizer each week 2 for phals all times?😳 I am starting to fertilizer now. Also do I need to soak the phal before give them Cal mag? Thanks
Hi Joanne! I have a recent video on how I'm fertilizing my Phals this summer...here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/yRaGOwZ6e5g/v-deo.html
If you have any other questions, let me know! Happy growing! Amy
Hello. Your name? 😉☺️. I was wondering if you can give tips on the Christmas Cactus? I have 2 but none bloomed for me this Christmas! I did have one years ago and it bloomed 2 X for me. Any fertilizer suggestions? . Jo Anne ☺️
Joanne Acevedo Hi Joanne! I have a video, "Tutorial on how I grow my Thanksgiving/ Christmas cactus throughout the year" publish date Nov 15, 2017. I don't start fertilizing mine until April. Thanks so much for watching and have a great day! Amy :)
Orchid Whisperer thanks Amy. Will watch it. 🤗🤗
Oh catleya orchid you have beautiful colors
Hello Amy, I have seen your video but I didnt understand how to give the epsom salt to my phlas but in sphangmus moss? Only in water culture. Thanks for your help.
Hi Andreina! I feed the Epsom salts the same rate to all my phals, whether they're in moss, bark or in water culture. I use 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water or about 150-200 tds. Thanks again for watching! Have a great day! :)
Hello Amy. What is the highest ppm for my orchids when using epsom salt?? 60 -70 was my guess but I need your expetise???? Thanks
Hi Samantha! I use Epsom salts at 20-30 ppm. I just cured one with Magnesium deficiency at this rate...I did a video about it and here's the link: ua-cam.com/users/edit?o=U&video_id=ImoKdqc6qSc
I bought my phal because of its dark colored, almost purple leaves and flower stalk. Could that be the type of phal or are all phal leaves and flower stalks green?
Hi Dawn! Phal leaves should be green, not purple. I suggest you try some Epsom salts...purple leaves are a sign of magnesium deficiency. Sometimes when the new leaves first start growing, they might have a purple tint, but that should go away as the leaf matures. Have a great day! :)
Thank you so much! I will add some Epsom salts. I appreciate all the fantastic information that you provide.
YOU HAVE GREEN THOUMB BEAUTIFUL !
Thank you so much, Margaret! :)
how do you use the ES for a bark media ?? and the conversion to metric???
Hi Chris! I use the same amount of Epsom salts for bark, moss, and water culture. The conversion amount for metric is .62 ml, or a tds of 150-200 ppm.
is the .62mls diluted? not sure of 1.8 tsp the amount of epsom salts Amy???
It's one-eighth of a teaspoon...not 1.8 teaspoons. One-eighth of a teaspoon is .62 ml. (Conversions from teaspoons to metric is confusing, but 1/8 of a teaspoon is a very small amount.) So you'll dissolve .62 ml in 1 gallon of water.
lol ... no i meant is the eight of a tsp...but is the .62mls that conversion....thanks for the replying though
rick uses a different measure ... wondering the difference...would help them..
Hi Chris! I'm using this concentration of mag because of my growing conditions. If you have a severe mag deficiency, give them a larger dose a few times, then taper off your dose. I don't have mag deficiency, so I'm giving trace amounts to keep from having a deficiency. I tend to feed small doses of fertilizers and supplements to prevent deficiencies from ever happening. Have a great day and happy growing!
Can I use Epsom salt on my prayers plants?
Hi and thanks so much for watching! I've never grown prayer plants! But I think anything that blooms would benefit from Epsom salts, or even better, CalMag that has magnesium (Epsom salts) in it. Happy growing!
Thank you for responding!!..I spray my house plants and prayers plants today finger cross😀😀