Hi Vandavixen, those growers with large mixed up collections just fertilize regardless of where orchids are in the bloom cycle.

Vascostylis Pine Rivers 'Pink' is a great orchid and you often see it with a blue ribbon at orchid meetings.

Sorry cannot answer your question re. 20-20-20 & 19-31-17 except to say it doesn't matter all that much what you use provided you follow the directions on the packet.

Hi Vixen, vandaceous orchids are always growing. The warmer the weather, the more active the growth cycle. It is a good idea to continue feeding as normal to nourish the flower spike. This is also the time to make sure that the plant is NOT underwatered. Flowers demand more water than normal.

Some growers will mix a bloom special fertilizer every third or fourth feeding (they have financial pressure to bloom and sell plants)and some will go with continuous 20-20-20.

I grow a bunch of vandas and prefer the ladder, my goal is to grow a strong plant that will bloom when it is ready. You'll find (if you go that route) that non-pushed flower spikes tend to be bigger and stronger and last longer. The plant will easily support the flower spike.

Just my 2 cents....
Ben

Thank you both so much wonderful info.. Ben for another 2 cents lol do u think I should just forget about this 19-31-17 schultz as I can't figure out how to make it 20-20-20-..
I haven't been able to find Peters at Home depot or wall mart 20-20-20-..What do you suggest? Also how many days do you wait till you feed again thank you ...

Vandavixen, Sorry to have to inform you that there is no way to make 19-31-17 fertilizer into 20-20-20. If I'm wrong I'd sure like to here about it.

funny you are right I'm just hoping for magic lol
I was in Home depot again no Peters 20-20-20 geez....
Can anyone advise why the 20 is so much better for our zone 10 vandas? Thank you and what would you give the phals ...which orchids need this crazy combo 19-31-17
it is too confusing thanx

Vandavixen,

It really won't matter much whether you use the 20-20-20 or the Schultz Orchid fertilizer. These are both good general growth fertilizers. I have used Schultz (according to container directions) since I started growing orchids, simply because the plants are healthy, they bloom (eventually, he he), and I haven't emptied the Schultz container, yet!

Some people use 10-10-10; stitzelweller says he uses Miracle Gro Tomato fertilizer part of the time. If you have special conditions (well water, softened water, etc.) you could need a special fert; otherwise, any good general fertilizer will do, cut to 1/4 strength if you are feeding weekly and flushing monthly.

Note that you do not have to "cut" Schultz Orchid, as the directions are for a solution intended for use with each watering.

Someday you will stumble across that other fert; meanwhile, your Schultz will do just fine.

Sweetcicely

Rather than worrying about measuring and mixing fertilizer, I use Terracycle Orchid food, in a 20 oz. spray bottle. It is organic and works like a dream! My orchids have never been so happy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Terracycle Orchid Plant Food with Liquid Worm Poop

Vandavixen....(love your handle BTW), I would go ahead and use up whatever fertilizer you have available and then search for a COMPLETE (including a long list of minor elements) water soluble or liquid fertilizer and stick with it. I think people underestimate how important culture continuity is. The plant adapts to a given regimen and anytime some part of that regimen changes, the plant has to adjust and it slows the effort for continuous growth. Some key ingredients in the minor list are calcium and magnesium. Make sure there is at least a whole integer of each (1 per cent of total or more. If you can't find a correct mix you can add some epsom salts in lieu of magnesium. You may also want to check you water analysis for minerals. Depending on your source it could have minerals in it. I'm still searching for a good calcium replacement and will be asking a lot of questions at redlands this weekend for a lead.

Geez, thank you... yes I am a real vandavixen ....ok but something else...can I use the schulz once a week or every other day now what do you recomend? It says 1/4 every watering to a gallon it has .005 magnesium..if I'm reading it correctly,,( it is so tiny to read ) lol
Also, if I do the epson salts which I did about 6 months ago is it time again or how often with that?
I live in Deerfield Beach I think the minerals are in the water but will check it.
If I only do a big pitcher container full you know like for lemonade size water amount anyone can guess maybe how much fertilizer less do I use for that amount compared to one gallon which at this point I do not have a gallon container thx
Again...I may be a Vandavixen but I'm no mathmatician..can't even spell it ..I speak fluent German to top off the problem so excuse me in advance lol...

A gallon is four quarts, 16 cups. Take your pitcher and go through pouring measuring cups into it until you get to the level you want, then divide how many cups by 16 and that will give you how much of a gallon. When you have done this once, you will know how high to fill it and you won't have to measure again.

What ever you guys do don't laugh ....ok laugh...but it is 8 cups worth...so divide 16 into 8 can't anyone figure this out ?the measuring spoon is 1/4 so I'm guessing a tiny amt from that measurment...now don't laugh at me ....
dowe divide .08 by 16 thx ...lol

Wie Geht es, Vandavixen?!

Sorry, I realized after my post that I had forgotten the measurement part. For Shultz, as you said, it is 1/4 teaspoon to each Gallon. A gallon = 4 quarts, so a gallon is 16 cups.

If your pitcher is 8 cups, it is 1/2 Gallon, so you would add 1/8 teaspoon of the fertilizer. If you don't have a 1/8 teaspoon measuring spoon, just half fill your 1/4 measuring spoon.

I use a really well cleaned plastic milk bottle. They come in 1/2 Gal. and 1 Gallon sizes and are great for mixing and storing orchid fertilizer for small collections like mine. I cover the bottle with a sandwich bag and rubberband, to keep dust and spores out of the mix. Mine stores conveniently under my kitchen sink.

Ok? I hope that will help :) (And no laughing, here; we all need help with something!)

Sweetcicely

Danke Schoen...bin Ich froh
(thank you Iam happy) I figured since you guys are there with thinking caps on it was about half the 1/4 spoon...This record heat now it feels like 150 degrees ...Makes all plants here look sad. I used to collect the rain water however; it rained like 3am last night/ morning ..I'm not running out but I will start collecting some as soon as it starts ..
Thank you ...You mentioned Redlands that should be awesome. It would be nice to see some of the vendors sell at a little cheaper price these hard times .
...Let us know what you get etc...Thank you... Viel Dank

VandaVixen,

You're doing fine. If I moved to Germany, no telling how long it'd take me to get the measuring system, and your English is terrific.

When I first started in orchids, it took me about a year to figure out which direction my orchids faced! Fear of killing all the orchids kept my brain from remembering someone had invented the compass. :)

Whitecat8