Whatever the instructions say on the fertilizer you are using is a full dose for the sake of this discussion. Give them a full dose once a month, half strength every two weeks, 1/4 strength every week or a minuscule dose every day if you water every day. End result should be a full dose per month.

The next 6 people posting will give you 6 different regimes, it all works.

Nick

Nick, I like your comment about about 6 people, 6 different ideas. I think that I am not feeding enough based on what you've said. I don't water every day, though so I'll have to do a little math and try to make sure that I'm getting them enough to "eat". Right now I'm watering once every 7 days and once we here in zone 9B make it to the dead of summer that will be increased to once every 4 to 5 days depending on the humidity (or lack thereof). I guess I should have mentioned that these are outdoor orchids, under cover, so they don't get rainfall but they do benefit from our ambient moisture.

In any case, I appreciate your insight and taking the time to educate me.

I agree with Nick's recommendation... ;-)

Josh

Nick is right on the money regarding fertilization. In general, the rule of thumb for orchids is "weekly, weakly." It also depends on what kind of culture the orchids are getting. In optimum light they can take more fertilzer than the same plants getting less light. Since your plants are outside, we can assume they're getting optimum light.

Waiting until the plants show buds is akin to closing the barn door after the horse has run away. Regular fertilizing with a thorough plain flushing once every four weeks or so, is a good regimin to consider. But you got buds, and that's the most important thing.

As Nick also says, there are many other ways that work for other growers.