Best fertilizer for phalaenopsis?

[SavageEwok]

Hi everyone!

I am brand new to this forum and also pretty new to orchids (or at least, new to trying to grow them correctly). I just got a beautiful new phalaenopsis, and I'm looking for advice as to what kind of fertilizer to feed it. I've started doing some research on this and the results seem very mixed, so I wanted to ask instead before buying.

[Roberta]

First, welcome!

I'll let others weigh in on their favorite fertilizers... but for a start, the key here is "not much". Orchids grow slowly, and so need very little. Whatever it says on the bottle, use 1/4 to 1/2 as much. You'll hear "Once weekly, weakly". What that's saying is that orchids want just a little bit, fairly frequently. Too little, it may grow a bit more slowly than the ideal. Too much, you can kill it. So err on the low side.

(Personally, if there is not a particular set of conditions that I'm trying to achieve, I'd recommend a "balanced" fertilizer, all 3 numbers the same. You can get into the fine points depending on the composition of your water, but for a start, I'd vote for "simple")

[Ray]

Roberta is correct about using very little. Fertilizer is WAY down the plant’s “Maslow’s Hierarchy” of priorities.

More important are air to the root system, a steady supply of moisture, warmth and indirect light.

Whatever formula you use (I prefer K-Lite, as it’s designed specifically for epiphytes), divide 8 by the %N on the label - the result is teaspoons per gallon to apply every 7 to 10 days.

[early]

I am new to the forum and fairly new with orchids. I have a dozen Phals and so far they are doing well. It would help, from my observation of new poster to the forum, if you would fill out you profile, found on user CP, especialy area of country if you live in USA, or name of country if not. There are members from all over the world that visit and post here.

I had to look up my growing area, 7a, since I have grown plants and gardens in four different states. I am dry in New Mexico, so increasing humidity here is important. I use a cool air humidifier several times a week. I have gotten advice on bright light, shade and little or no sun directly on plants. I live in the country and water either with distilled or well water.

I eventually got a ph meter and have gotten advice about that. Also have a TDS meter but have not figured importance of that yet, but will wait to ask that question after I have more experience with Phals and water needs.

I think it is good to start with one orchid. I per usual, jumped it with both feet last year with two a few years ago, they live inspite of my limited or no real knowledge of Phals. The last year I had first a total of four and suddenly I had 13. all are living. Most of the non bloomers were bought on sale racks and need tender loving care, knowing they will probably not grow a stem or flower for one to two year. I love Phals because of their wide leaves and the dark green color. I am a former ICU nurse and look at them as my babies or patients.

listened to a lot of YouTube advice. Waded thru a lot of "amateur " experts and rarely if ever go there now since I found the real experts with years and years of experience. Some have their own web site, look at the bottom of their post, two I respect are Roberta and Ray. Moderators/Administrator which include Roberta.
At times, growing conditions in one US state will be matched by conditions in other parts of the world. For example, on frequent poster lives in Europe/an Island but has similar weather/climate to New Mexico where I live.
I have not figured out how to post photos yet, as I am digitally challenged, but will soon with a friends help. Photos, especially for down the road problems, help the experts here perhaps diagnose the problem.

You will find different experts here with challenge each other with their answers, but I keep a file of all my questions and refer back to all the answers and make my choice from those different opinions.

[Roberta]

early, Thanks for your confidence!

[early]

Thanks Roberta, I meant to that there are two? super Mods and one Adm. And I have great confidence in all of you; Ray is not my only favorite in senior members, but after having had a couple TBIs and concussions, my memory for names is not great. I have to go back and look. I have patience with orchids and research (in medicine, lay legal, as well as orchids. I have to shelves of research on other plants and am a master gardener in Missouri and NM, but we did not talk about orchids much. Six years ago I told the group here how I was keeping one Phal..which at the time and did not even know the name, how I was keeping the orchid alive. I may go back to MG workshops for a new perspective of plant growing in New Mexico I for sure need it