plant food for the orchids

[Sawdust]

I have about 24 variety of orchids. I was wondering what is the best fertilizer for them, I currently use rain water and I had some food I got at the Ottawa show a couple of years ago. It was a light blue powder but can't remember its name or the name of the company. Any suggestion on what to use and where to get it. I am in Kingston Ontario. thanks.

[Roberta]

Fertilizer is the least important factor in orchid culture, they do need some. General rule, use about half of what it says on the bottle, every week or two. Fertilizers have 3 numbers (Nitrogen-Phosphoruls-Potassaium or N-P-K) If the numbers are all equal, or the first is higher, it's fine.

The reason that orchids don't need much fertilizer is that the minerals are used for building new cells - and orchids grow slowly. The carbs that they need for maintaining themselves they manage themselves through photosynthesis.

[Ray]

Contact C&C Orchids in Hamilton for K-Lite (and Kelpak).

Conchita and Chris have a Facebook page but can also be reached at cvarady@cogeco.ca