Anybody that has grown or does grow orchids sooner or later hears the phrase "weakly, weekly." This generally means to give our orchids a weak dose of fertilizer once a week. Whatever the instructions say to use, cut that in half (1/2) or even fourths (1/4). This supplies our orchids with the nutrients they need at a steady rate. Which is much better than giving them a dose of fertilizer at full strength all at once. If we were to do this, then most of it wouldn't even get used by our orchids anyways and would just go to waste.

I have heard that. So you're saying they should be fed that way all year, regardless of whether they're blooming or not, or growing new bulbs, leaves, etc,?

Yes. Regardless of whether or not they're growing, they're still photosynthesizing the energy thet they're receiving from sunlight everyday and turning it into the food they need to not only survive, but flourish. Even though were "feeding" our plants fertilizer, fertilizer is not food. They are just nutrients the plant needs to manufacture their own food via photosynthesis. Every day that a plant is soaking up sunlight, it's doing this. They store this energy and then use it whenever needed to either grow new leaves or pseudobulbs, or to send out a beautiful display of flowers. This is why "weakly, weekly" still applies, no matter what season it is or whether or not our plants are actively growing. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule. Some orchids shed their leaves are don't require any water for a certain period of time. If they don't need to be watered, then they also don't need to be fertilized. I hope this clears it up some.

Photo, successful orchid growing varies widely. It sounds like you have found a method that suits your environment and culture. I consider myself successful and feed full strength every 2 weeks. I admit most do not do that. But I have my reasons. And mainly it works. I feel that the best advice in general would come from local growers in zone 6b. Culture requirements vary by zones.

Here is a tip. Add maxi crop to your feed. it is a game changer. It is Norwegion seaweed juice that has naturally occurring root stimulant. Certain results.

If I am using a fertilizer made for orchids I follow package directions, otherwise 1/2 strength.

Bob

Thanks to all of you. If we survive tomorrow's blizzard here (!) I will initiate a weekly feeding routine.

Good advice above.

I grew orchids in NY, zone 5-6. In winter many orchids slow down depending on the amount of light and warmth.

You are growing your plants at lower temps at night which is a good thing. I would cut back as Photo advised until the daylight lengthens and you see new growth initiating. I fertilized very little over winter unless I had plants under lights and had strong growth.

Otherwise, I let them rest until Spring. I always fertilize more during growth periods.

Jane

Bill,

I feed at the same rate and # of times year round, once a week for most orchids and 2x for a few. But as Jane stated I grow under strong lights in winter and many of my orchids don't go through rest periods. Personally I've never stopped fertilizing an orchid because it was in bloom and can't say that I've ever noticed it hurt the blooms or length of blooming. As much as anything, I do this because I'm too lazy to separate them (I have @ 75 currently) and/or to water in two different ways. I might be wasting fert on the slow growers, but I'm not terribly concerned about that waste as I would guess I only use 25 cents of fert per watering.

Good luck,

Bob