fertilizer questions

17 years ago

I was wondering, how do you fertilize your orchids? If you have multiple varieties in different sorts of mediums, do you adjust how you feed them based on this?

A lot of my orchids are now mounted, and enclosed in an acrylic case for humidity. However, I still have a few in bark, a couple in coconut husk fiber, and one or two in sphagnum.

Also, how does the type of orchid affect your fertilizer choices? I have two Paph delenatiis and two Beallaras in a bark mix, a Phal hybrid in sphag, two Phal hybrids in coconut husk fiber, one Aerangis citrata in bark, two Pleurothallis in I-don't-know-what... and the rest are mounted: Aerangis kirkii, mystacidii, and biloba; Phal equestris and stuartiana; C. luteola; Pleurothallis grobyi; and an Ascocenda.

I feel like they are all over the place. I've heard that bark mixes need a fertilizer higher in nitrogen, that phals and paphs are sensitive to fertilizer salts, that sphag retains more salts than other mediums, and I have no idea what mounted orchids need out of fertilizers. Also, I seem to remember that pleurothallids are sensitive to fertilizers as well? Or was that just masdevallias?

On the positive side, mostly everything seems to be doing well. I just want to keep it that way, so I'd like to avoid doing any long term damage if I can.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

richardol
17 years ago
A weak solution of a low even-numbered fert will work fine for everything. I use 20-20-20 but that is what was on sale when I bought it. I put it in a pump sprayer and apply it after watering.

If I was running a commercial greenhouse with hundreds of the same plant, I might worry more about optimum fertilizer. I have a very diverse group like you do. My goal is to enjoy my orchids.

Fertilizer doesn't keep and very small batches tend to be harder to get the right concentration. I mix a gallon and make sure to use it all.

Here is a link that might be useful: My blog
stitzelweller
17 years ago
quinnfyre,

A PA quality orchid vendor shared his experience with me last week. Re: paphs and fertilizer, I was advised to avoid foliar feeding, if possible. Use a moderate strength and follow about half an hour later with a water only flush to avoid ANY salt residue with Paphs. The same care is not necessary with many other genera.

It has been standard advice for decades to use high nitrogent fertilizer (relative to phosphorus and potassium) when fir bark is the principal component of your mix.

Certain genera require higher concentrations and more frequent application of fertilizer than others. Lycaste is a good example.

Good Luck!

--Stitz--
Related Professionals
Middletown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Palm Bay Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Morgan City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cincinnati Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Elmira Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Elizabeth City Landscape Contractors · Victorville Landscape Contractors · Louisville General Contractors · California General Contractors · Sedalia General Contractors · Starkville General Contractors · Lufkin General Contractors · Pittsburgh General Contractors · Montrose General Contractors · Medford General Contractors
tommyr_gw Zone 6
17 years ago
1/4 strength orchid food every watering during new growth period. If no new growth rainwater.
helga1
17 years ago
tommyr, do you fertilize together with your watering -not separate? I have done that before. Doing it in one operation would save time. Now I mix the fertilizer in Gallon jugs and fertilize right after watering.
I use high Nitro from after bloom through the summer but, I am never sure when I should switch to high Bloom. Is there a formula for phals, catts, dens and oncids?

Helga.