Off Topic.....How to care for Orchids, Organically?

[BostonBull]

I just purchased my first INDOOR plant. It is a 'Phalaenopsis' species of orchid. They have no traditional root system, in soil. They grown on moss and rocks in a pot. The place I bought it said no fert, every website calls for fert. I know someone here must have experience with these, and can help me.

[dishboy]

This year I built two large raised beds for my wife to grow veggies. They are 15 feet by 4 feet and two feet tall. I filled them about 2/3rds full with soil from sod that had composted all the way down and and then mixed the remaining with about 1.5 to 2.0 yards of leaf/grass compost mixed with the same soil/sod soil.

My question is will this supply enough N for a vegetable garden or do I need to supplement soy or alfalfa meal? So far almost everything is up and appears to be doing very well.

[growingdeeprootsorganicly]

for prized plants i like bat,sea bird guano's my self.
what kind of medium is it in? temps? light source?
is it actively growing? flowing?
is it showing signs it needs feeding? no? then leave it be for now. most impotently water it correctly.

can't go wrong with worm cast tea,....kelp meal/tea,fish h. ete ete
what ever you do don't over feed, watch the plant and it will tell you what it need's.

maybe down the line repot with a really good draining nutrient rich mix?
research it more.

[dishboy]

Originally Posted by dishboy

This year I built two large raised beds for my wife to grow veggies. They are 15 feet by 4 feet and two feet tall. I filled them about 2/3rds full with soil from sod that had composted all the way down and and then mixed the remaining with about 1.5 to 2.0 yards of leaf/grass compost mixed with the same soil/sod soil.

My question is will this supply enough N for a vegetable garden or do I need to supplement soy or alfalfa meal? So far almost everything is up and appears to be doing very well.

Sorry, thought I had hit the new thread button, disregard.

[BostonBull]

Nice thread derail.........thanks!

anyone have experience with this species of orchids?

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by BostonBull

Nice thread derail.........thanks!

anyone have experience with this species of orchids?

Not sure, but consider where/how orchids get their nutrients.

[BostonBull]

Originally Posted by Kiril

Not sure, but consider where/how orchids get their nutrients.

by this, you're referring to the fact that they are air rooted plants and do not live in soil??

[Kiril]

Originally Posted by BostonBull

by this, you're referring to the fact that they are air rooted plants and do not live in soil??

........ yes

[growingdeeprootsorganicly]

same way other plants feed is the same way that plants feeds more or less, the roots still need to anchor in some thing? draw nutrients from. a place for biology to live/draw from and cycle nutes to the plant, these plants like soil less/airy rich organic matter mix's?

the roots of this plant are in a medium no? in some type of organic matter mix correct?

what kind of medium is it in? bark mix? bark/moss? other?

[BostonBull]

they are in Sphagnum Moss, and decorative rocks.