- Thu Mar 26, 2020 10:21 am
#350664
Orchids need to be fed regularly. Growers suggest using a "balanced" fertilizer such as 20-20-20 that includes all "necessary trace elements." Regardless of the fertilizer formulation you choose to use, it should contain little or no urea. If you are unsure of what fertilizer to use, you can generally use any fertilizer you would for your other container plants. Orchids will do far better with too little fertilizer than with too much. Many growers recommend the "weakly, weekly" approach, applying a dilute (1/4 strength) fertilizer each time they water, rather than applying a full dose once a month. Also, it is best not to fertilize a completely dry plant as the fertilizer can burn the dry roots. Water first then follow with fertilizer solution.
In the active phase of growth, orchids are fed with special fertilizers for orchids once every 2 weeks. Such fertilizers are specially designed and have a lower concentration of macronutrients and classic micronutrients, because epiphytes do not tolerate the salinity of the substrate. If there are no special fertilizers for orchids, you can use fertilizers for flowering indoor plants, only in half the concentration.
Before feeding, it is imperative to water the orchid or first soak it in a basin with soft, settled water at room temperature so that the roots absorb water. And only then add fertilizer to the water according to the dosage specified in the instructions. The roots of orchids are quite tender, and if orchids are fertilized without first soaking the roots, they will get burns, gradually the ends of the roots will begin to die. Never fertilize orchids with undiluted fertilizer, it is strictly forbidden!
In a solution with fertilizer, the orchid should be 10-20 minutes. Water for the preparation of the solution can be used only specially purified or drinking. After top dressing, you need to put it in a permanent place, avoiding the remnants of the solution at the bottom of the pot or saucer under the pot in order to avoid decay of the roots.
In the autumn-winter period, geeding is reduced to a minimum, fertilizers should be balanced no more than once a month. In spring, feeding is renewed.