FlyTrapCare Forums

What kind of Orchid fertilizer do you recommend?

I use no fertilizer

http://www.orchidlight.com/growmorefert ... JUEALw_wcB

Always buy a powder form or your paying for distilled water with a small scoop of fertilizer

I also use Grow More and alternate between Grow More 20-10-20 and Maxsea 16-16-16.

Sakaaaaa wrote:I use no fertilizer

How well does that work? Why is it recommended to use fertilizer? Does anyone else use no fertilizer?

works great for me. I give them a spray ones a month or so.

I have used Maxsea 16-16-16 and Peters Specialties orchid food 30-10-10.
Both at half strength. Both work well.

Chesser wrote:
How well does that work? Why is it recommended to use fertilizer? Does anyone else use no fertilizer?

It works alright.
All my orchids have no fertilizer* and they are doing fine.
From my understanding fertilizer boosts size and flowers and stuff.
*My Oncidium x Odontoglossum used to have fertilizer 1 time a week but I stopped using it this year.

Honey or sugar water

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.