1. Forum News
    NEW SOFTWARE & SERVER IS COMING!
    Please click on the link below to get the most up to date information: CLICK HERE

Feeding Phaleopsis in winter

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by Alan Tomox, Nov 24, 2025.

  1. Alan Tomox

    Alan Tomox Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2025
    Messages:
    9
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Merseyside
    Ratings:
    +0
    I appreciate it is a general rule that plants should not be fed during the winter to give them a rest period. However I have two Phalenopsis which, in the past few weeks, have sent out new flower spikes which are growing away.
    Should I make an exception and feed these two?
     
  2. Allotment Boy

    Allotment Boy Lifelong Allotmenteer

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2024
    Messages:
    1,252
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Medical Lab Scientist
    Location:
    The edge of suburban North London
    Ratings:
    +4,693
    Good question I was wondering the same thing. There may be info on the Kew Gardens or RHS websites as they both have big glasshouse displays from around now till the end of March. If I find anything I will post.
     
  3. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    57,989
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +114,950
    I rarely feed them, just a few times a year, I think if they are looking good and flowering its best not to over do it.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Philippa

      Philippa Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 3, 2019
      Messages:
      1,654
      Location:
      West Somerset
      Ratings:
      +3,360
      One issue I have now is finding a suitable Orchid feed. The ones I have seen online seem rather vague. I have Cymbidium, Dendrobium and the last couple of years also a Phaelonopsis. I used to get my orchid feed from Ray Creek Orchids but no success recently.
       
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

      Joined:
      Jan 9, 2005
      Messages:
      57,989
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Mid Kent
      Ratings:
      +114,950
      I just use miracle grow or similar.
      Chempak high potash.
       
    • On the Levels

      On the Levels Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Mar 17, 2024
      Messages:
      1,455
      Ratings:
      +3,484
      Ours are also showing brilliant growth of flower spikes. We don't feed them now but they are misted to keep the humidity up about every 3 or 4 days.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • CarolineL

        CarolineL Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jun 12, 2016
        Messages:
        3,077
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Retired Software engineer
        Location:
        Rural Carmarthenshire
        Ratings:
        +7,736
        I use any cheap feed. When I remember.
         
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • Spruce

          Spruce Glad to be back .....

          Joined:
          Apr 10, 2009
          Messages:
          9,209
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +12,915
          Hi

          you can soak rice overnight and use that to water your orchids , and then you can cook the rice to eat , win win
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • The Bird Lady

            The Bird Lady Apprentice Gardener

            Joined:
            Mar 15, 2024
            Messages:
            22
            Gender:
            Female
            Ratings:
            +23
            Just been watching some videos on Youtube, my orchids are looking quite sad at the moment and I thought I'd pick up some tips there. One guy was watering his orchids with ground coffee (pour on boiling water, allow to cool and then strain), and another was using a solution made from sliced banana, sliced aloe vera and a clove of garlic, left in water for about three weeks and then strained. I did see someone using rice water and the other thing they did, was to soak the bark in a solution of bicarb and water before putting in the pot. I can't decide which is the best growing medium for orchids, is it the bark type or the gravel type?
             
          • ricky101

            ricky101 Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 15, 2016
            Messages:
            3,739
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Sheffield
            Ratings:
            +4,654
            Its generally suggested you use an Orchid feed, basically they are a diluted version of standard fertilisers at around a quarter stength.

            Also said, its best to used plain water every 4th or 5th watering to flush away any build up of "salts" from the ferts.

            We are feeding ours now which like yours are in spike, we use the Vitax Growth and Bloom liquids, easy to use and lo cost, though many others around.

            Use a stick and clip to help train the spike to the position you want once they get over about 150mm long, they can be delicate but also reasonably flexible with care.
             
          Loading...

          Share This Page

          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
            Dismiss Notice