This is one orchid that will take fertilizing with almost any formula devised 
by man that will not cause burning or dehydration by being too strong. Weak solu- 
uons of liquid dairy manure—blood—sheep manure or what have you during the 
growing season after repotting and root action has started will greatly assist this 
robust fleshy leaved orchid. This may be applied once every two weeks or once 
a month until the flower spike shows. Every good Phalaenopsis grower has his own 
pet treatments so you will have to experiment to see which method suits your 
success. When using straight organic fertilizers as above mentioned it is helpful to 
balance the nitrogen by using some superphosphate and potash (wood ashes) in 
the brew. Just remember weak applications often are better than an over-dose 
once a year. Some growers prefer to use the balanced inorganic formulas that are 
offered as plant foods under various trade names. The nutrient formulae for sow- 
ing orchid seed is fine but need not be made with chemically pure salts. 
The orchid pests of the Moth orchid are not difficult to control. Generally 
sponging the plants two or three times a year will keep them clean of scale. Use 
any mild insecticide (Wilson’s O. K.) or just nicotine sulphate with tvory soap 
flakes (40 percent Nicotine sulphate 1 oz. to 3 gal. of water). Soap enough to make 
water wet the foliage smoothly. Pour excess out of crowns. Ants often are a pest by 
carrying mealy bugs up onto the flower stems and crown of plant. Control the ants 
and the mealy bugs won't have a chance after you sponge them off. You may place 
cotton around the flower stem to prevent them climbing to the flowers. Chloradane is 
the wonder ant killer used as a dust or spray on ground and benches. 
Phalaenopsis generally like to be grown moist—especially during the growing 
season of summer. However, don’t let water stand in the crown of the plant over- 
nite, particularly in the winter when chilled water will rot the crown and your 
plant will disintegrate in a fairly short period of days. In winter spray in the 
mornings and on sunny days. During summer water about once a week thoroughly 
and syringe with water in a fine mist when days are warm and sunny. During the 
Winter every 10 days or 14 days unless heating dries them out should be sufficient 
to water. Rainwater is by far the best. 
Phalaenopsis may be repotted every year after flowering or every two years. 
Here again every grower develops his own preferences, They can be grown in 
almost any type of container and they will do well. Some people like wooden 
baskets, others clay pots or bamboo or cypress rafts—cocoanut husks—tree fern 
blocks. They do not need to be potted quite as firmly as cattleyas and often like 
a bit of sphagnum moss to hold moisture. Place charcoal and broken clay pot 
pieces throughout the osmunda to insure good drainage and aeration. The lighter 
brown osmunda mixed with some dark works out well. 
There is just one thing about the Moth orchid—if you like orchids at all you 
will like this genera. If you can and like to grow orchids you can grow these with 
a minimum of effort. 
GREEN HH OSs 2S AST MANDARIN ON 18 de bl > S Ts JOHNS ROYER 
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