Orchid Fertilizer

“How do I care for my orchid?” is the most frequently asked question heard in the orchid community.  The answer is both easy and complicated:  it needs food in the form of an orchid fertilizer, along with light, air and water. If you don’t give your orchid those items in the right mix, you need to adjust one or more elements for optimum health.   That’s the easy aspect of orchid care.
For the best health of an orchid, take that answer and dig a little further down to learn how to really have your orchid thrive by fertilizing properly.  So for the whats, whens and hows of orchid fertilizer, read on…
What
While the light, air and water for orchids are self-explanatory, what type of fertilizer is best for an orchid to thrive?  The answer to the care of the orchid usually can be gained from looking at its native habitat.
Orchids grow on trees or rocks, not in soil.  Their roots are like little sponges soaking up nutrients from whatever happens to be in the area.  Decomposing plant material, rainwater nutrients, and even animal droppings, help feed orchids in their native environments; so it makes sense to fertilize them with a mix of these items.
Orchid fertilizers should contain the following:
·       Phosphorous, which helps the plant bloom
·       Nitrogen for growth
·       Potassium, which helps the flower
·       Calcium for added strength
·       Magnesium to help produce food
·       Sulfur to help produce proteins
Plant fertilizers have three numbers on their label, known as NPK, the mixture of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium.  These numbers show the balance of those three items in that order, such as 20-20-10.  Most orchids prefer a balanced orchid fertilizer, such as 20-20-20.  Some growers, who use tree bark as the growing medium, prefer a higher Nitrogen content and use a mix of 20-10-10.
When
While preparing to bloom, an orchid needs more fertilizer, so it’s best to feed it on a weekly basis.  While it is dormant every other week, even monthly, is sufficient.  Many growers prefer the weekly/weakly rule of thumb, using smaller doses on a regular weekly basis to produce more consistent growth.
To help promote blooms, many orchid growers switch to a ‘bloom booster’ orchid fertilizer just before the buds on the orchid begin to form.  It comes in a 3-12-6 formula.
How
Use fertilizer after watering; do not fertilize a thirsty plant.  Follow directions on the label, as fertilizers can vary in application.  While orchid fertilizers come in different forms, such as spikes, liquid or granules, most growers prefer a water soluble formula.
Providing an orchid with life’s little necessities – air, food, water and light – will keep your orchid happy and healthy for you to enjoy for years to come.

“How do I care for my orchid?” is the most frequently asked question heard in the orchid community.  The answer is both easy and complicated:  it needs food in the form of an orchid fertilizer, along with light, air and water. If you don’t give your orchid those items in the right mix, you need to adjust one or more elements for optimum health.   That’s the easy aspect of orchid care.

For the best health of an orchid, take that answer and dig a little further down to learn how to really have your orchid thrive by fertilizing properly.  So for the whats, whens and hows of orchid fertilizer, read on…

What

While the light, air and water for orchids are self-explanatory, what type of fertilizer is best for an orchid to thrive?  The answer to the care of the orchid usually can be gained from looking at its native habitat.

Orchids grow on trees or rocks, not in soil.  Their roots are like little sponges soaking up nutrients from whatever happens to be in the area.  Decomposing plant material, rainwater nutrients, and even animal droppings, help feed orchids in their native environments; so it makes sense to fertilize them with a mix of these items.

Orchid fertilizers should contain the following:

  • Phosphorous, which helps the plant bloom
  • Nitrogen for growth
  • Potassium, which helps the flower
  • Calcium for added strength
  • Magnesium to help produce food
  • Sulfur to help produce proteins

Plant fertilizers have three numbers on their label, known as NPK, the mixture of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium.  These numbers show the balance of those three items in that order, such as 20-20-10.  Most orchids prefer a balanced orchid fertilizer, such as 20-20-20.  Some growers, who use tree bark as the growing medium, prefer a higher Nitrogen content and use a mix of 20-10-10.

When

While preparing to bloom, an orchid needs more fertilizer, so it’s best to feed it on a weekly basis.  While it is dormant every other week, even monthly, is sufficient.  Many growers prefer the weekly/weakly rule of thumb, using smaller doses on a regular weekly basis to produce more consistent growth.

To help promote blooms, many orchid growers switch to a ‘bloom booster’ orchid fertilizer just before the buds on the orchid begin to form.  It comes in a 3-12-6 formula.

How

Use fertilizer after watering; do not fertilize a thirsty plant.  Follow directions on the label, as fertilizers can vary in application.  While orchid fertilizers come in different forms, such as spikes, liquid or granules, most growers prefer a water soluble formula.

Providing an orchid with life’s little necessities – air, food, water and light – will keep your orchid happy and healthy for you to enjoy for years to come.

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