Fertilizer for spiking orchids

[bkim]

What fert do you folks recommend for spiking orchids? My Den has 3 spikes forming and I want to maximize its potential. All my orchids receive Dyna Grow Liquid Grow and Protek weakly weekly. Thanks

[Dorothy]

What is the product grade of your fertilizer or the N-P-K numbers?

According to Ray at First Ray's Orchids (A fine member of the OB), he shoots for "roughly 100-150 ppm N, and feed at that rate at every watering" and " irrigate with fresh water periodically to flush residual minerals from the medium." (as per Fertilizers & Plant Nutrition)
You can adjust your fertilizer dilution or concentration by using his calculator - Fertilizer PPM Calculator
If your nitrogen levels are too high, it can impede blooming.
Also check the product grade of Protek if you will be adding it to the fertilizer and adjust it.
Anyone else wanting to respond .. please do

[bkim]

Liquid grow is 7-9-5 and Pro tekt is 0-0-3. I "wing it" with the concentration I give always being on the safe side.

Thanks for the calculator! I just punched some numbers and realized I give way too little. This is definitely an eye opener that I need to be more precise with the amount of fertilizer I give.

[Dorothy]

You are very welcome .. and Thanks to Ray for his wonderfully informative website

[BikerDoc5968]

With all due respect for others on OB, I attended a lecture given by a grower who holds a MS in plant science or something similar... for whatever that's worth. One of the things he said regarding feeding is that orchids "set" their spike and flower well before most of us realize it. The example he gave was about phals, since most attendees were asking about phals. He said they (phal) "begin" their spike in early August (not that you see the spike but the primordial buds are forming within the plant) for those blooming in Dec/Jan., so if you believe in changing food to a "bloom booster", this would be the time to do it. That once the spike has emerged, it has determined just what it will produce and that "the food" will have little influence on the outcome. I personally have no scientific support for the content of what this grower had to say. Since I meet with him periodically, I guess I'll have to get his sources to support his information.

[Dorothy]

Thanks for the info, Biker
Interesting

[bkim]

Definitely makes sense. For me personally, I'm going to just fertilize regularly at the appropriate dosages year round and let the plant do its thing. As long as the N isn't too high I should be fine.

[BikerDoc5968]

I've jumped in many times on this food thing and given my worth. From what I can tell after reading many other posts, is that there are tons of orchid growers (common folk, like us) that use the same stuff all year long while others make a big deal out of using higher N during the vegetive phase of growth and a lower N higher PO4/K just before flowering. I subscribe to the later not because I want to make some kind of statement, but because it makes sence to me and gives me something to think about... you know going to the pantry and asking myself, "So what is one the menu today? Would you guys enjoy green N or salty PO4/K?" The really BIG thing, I think, is that you FEED them something on a regular basis....and on occasion do a "wash out" so the mineral salts don't accumulate...I give mine a pine float once a month and it brings smiles to their little faces Now, Dorothy, be kind to me...you know I'm an old f@*&!t

[Ross]

Doc, not wanting to get something started, I recall Ray stating the "bloom booster" regimen isn't what most say it is. I follow his regimen and use the MSU mix at 125ppm Nitrogen all year. I also use it when I water my cacti and Tillandsias (air plants). Everyone likes this mix and this is the first I have seen any cactus bloom continuously throughout the summer! The Rhubarb likes the cast-off water as well.

[Dorothy]

Hey Doc, have you imbibed on those pine floats? I wonder if the needles would get stuck between your teeth
Oh Doc, you aren't as old as you think you are -
You may be just a little rough around the edges