Question
QUESTION: Hi Wayne King,

I'm new to orchids. I live in tropic region. I grow a few of phalaenopsis pots in my high-rise north-facing balcony. Now, their
new leaves are much smaller compared to old leaves. All pot have been repotted 4 months ago.

1) Which orchids are suitable for my balcony growing?

2) How to water them? Just roots only or leaves only or both?
  How often do I need to water? How will I know that orchids need    water? Once a week or how? My potting mix is 1 part charcoal, 1 part tree bark & 1 part hydrotons (which is used in hydroponic growing).

3) How to fertilize them as I didn't fertilize for about 1 1/2 months? Again roots only or just leaves?

Looking forwards to receiving your reply.

With heart-felt thanks,
Cucu

ANSWER: Thank you for your questions Cucu.  First, I know that temperatures can get hot in your vicinity.  That may be okay if you have a constant breeze to cool the plant.  Phalaenopsis do best in the temperature range of 20 - 30 degrees C.  Secondly, you should feed lightly (1/2 tsp/ gallon of water) with every watering.  Be sure to use water with fairly low salt concentration.  If you are not sure of the salt concentration, as a precaution, mix your water 50/50 with collected rain water.  Be sure your plant is in a pot that has lots of drainage holes.  There is no formula as to how often to water.  This is because there are many factors that influence moisture loss from the potting mix.  Among these are humidity, temperature, air movement, type of pot, number of drainage holes, and type of potting mix. You have a potting mix likely to be fairly water retentive so water only when you feel no dampness in the potting mix.  Do this by thrusting your finger about half way to the bottom of the mix.  Remember that root damage is more likely to occur when the mix is too wet than when it is too dry. Try to keep the leaves dry by just watering the potting mix.  As a precaution, water just in the morning so any leaves that get wet can dry by nightfall.

Be sure to keep your plant shaded so it gets minimal direct sunlight.

If you want to experiment with other types of plants, you might try a warm growing dendrobium.  The trick with those is that, unlike phalaenopsis, dendrobiums have a rest period during which minimal to no water is provided.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Wayne King,

Thanks for your reply.

My balcony is receiving no direct sunlight at all as it is facing north. So, is it possible to grow warm growing dendrobium? How about mini-dendrobium?

Thanks,
cucu

ANSWER: Dendrobiums do like a lot of light.  If you have bright indirect light that might be okay.  Because of the lack of direct sunlight, I would concentrate for now on the phalaenopsis which take less light than most dendrobiums.  To flower well, phalaenopsis leaves need enough light to be yellow green.  If you can achieve this degree of lighting, then you may also be able to grow and flower dendrobiums in this location.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Wayne King,

My friend told me that lady slipper orchid also can grow in such a low light
balcony. Is it true? Is light requirement for lady slipper & phalaenopsis same?

Thanks,
Cucu

Answer
Cucu, your friend could be right,  There are three general classifications for lady slippers.  Usually, that term refers to cypripedium lady slippers that are primarily temperate climate terrestrials.  Your growing conditions may be too warm for these.  Most asiatic lady slippers are in the genus paphiopedilum (Paphs for short).  These are native to southeast asia and the phillipines.  The third group are south american and called phragmipediums.  I think your best bet will be to concentrate on paphs as many are native to your area (broadly speaking).  Secondly, I recommend that you focus on hybrids rather than species.  Hybrids, being crosses between species, don't usually have the specific growing requirements of species and are, generally, easier to grow.  I have found that obtaining plants from local growers provides plants that are adapted to your conditions as they are being grown in your area.  You might check your local outdoor markets for plants.  Most paphs prefer lower, indirect light and should do well under phalaenopsis conditions.  If you cannot find any paphs at local markets, try E-Bay.  Obtaining plants outside of your country may require paperwork such as an import permit or CITES (Congress on the International Trade of Endangered Species) documents.