TOTAL confusion...please help!

[VickiC]

Hi,
I have been reading some postings concerning fertilizing, and I have NEVER been so confused about something in my entire life...really! (lol [funny, but not hysterically funny]) Talk about some smart and very well versed people...wow! I am sooo new to "growing Orchids" that I have no earthly idea what they are talking about. I would very much like to learn how to grow them well, so don't get me wrong, but since this is entirely a new "hobby" and nothing more (music being my first love and main "hobby"), I don't feel the need to learn the intricate details...as in "The Complete Knowledge Bank of the Ins-And-Outs of Orchid Fertilization". Somewhat "Basically-the-basics" for me, please. Thank you. Until I asked my husband a few mins. ago, I had no idea what ppm meant. Now I know it is parts per million. Bottom line: I really would appreciate it if someone won't mind helping me by letting me know if my 20-14-13 fertilizer is a good basic and general combination for Vandas, Catts, Phals, Miltonias, Dens., etc. or not. If not, will you please let me know what is? I understand that there are different combinations that are best for each specific plant-type, but I need to keep it simple and stick with a general one, as I said.
Thanks in advance,
Vicki

[isurus79]

I know that lots of people like to get all crazy with thier fertilization regimes and try all kinds of whacky combos or try to over think what N-P-K combo will generate better growth for different species. Honestly, all you need to know is that a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 fertilizer is all you need. Whether you follow the instructions and feed every other week or choose to feed weakly, weekly, is up to you. A balanced fertilizer is a good starting point for any beginner or advanced grower. Ive been growing orchids for half my life (Im 28 years old, so Ive been growing 14 years) and I still use 20-20-20 fertilizer during the growing season 2-3x per month with an addition of fish fertilizer 1x per month. Some people will also try to sell you 2 types of fertilizer, 1 for growth and 1 for blooming (usually called bloom busters). Based on experience and from talking to industry experts here in Hawaii, I also think this is unnecessary. Just keep it simple!

[VickiC]

Oh, thanks so much, Steve! "simplicity"...you know exactly what I'm trying to say. I really appreciate your help, and I'm on my way to buy different fertilizer tomorrow!
Vicki

Originally Posted by isurus79

I know that lots of people like to get all crazy with thier fertilization regimes and try all kinds of whacky combos or try to over think what N-P-K combo will generate better growth for different species. Honestly, all you need to know is that a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 fertilizer is all you need. Whether you follow the instructions and feed every other week or choose to feed weakly, weekly, is up to you. A balanced fertilizer is a good starting point for any beginner or advanced grower. Ive been growing orchids for half my life (Im 28 years old, so Ive been growing 14 years) and I still use 20-20-20 fertilizer during the growing season 2-3x per month with an addition of fish fertilizer 1x per month. Some people will also try to sell you 2 types of fertilizer, 1 for growth and 1 for blooming (usually called bloom busters). Based on experience and from talking to industry experts here in Hawaii, I also think this is unnecessary. Just keep it simple!

[Nita M]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Some people will also try to sell you 2 types of fertilizer, 1 for growth and 1 for blooming (usually called bloom busters). Based on experience and from talking to industry experts here in Hawaii, I also think this is unnecessary. Just keep it simple!

Sooooooooo, does this mean I don't have to use any bloom booster fertilizer at all? I have some and now that three of my plants are in spike I was going to ask when I needed to start using the bloom booster. Would it be best to just throw it away or use it because I've got it - and if so, how often?

Nita

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Nita M

Sooooooooo, does this mean I don't have to use any bloom booster fertilizer at all? I have some and now that three of my plants are in spike I was going to ask when I needed to start using the bloom booster. Would it be best to just throw it away or use it because I've got it - and if so, how often?

Nita

Personally, I wouldnt throw away perfectly good fertilizer. I would just give it to a friend. If you keep it, I think it might be a bit late to use if your plants are already in spike. IMHO, using a balanced fertilizer to promote strong vegetative growth will work much more effectively at generating big beautiful blooms and will be much less of a hassel than trying to constantly switch your feeding regime to a bloom buster every time your plants are done growing and are preparing to bloom. This theory will prove more and more true as your collection grows larger and you have many different plants at different stages in their growth and flowering cycles. Im treading onto thin ice with this rant (I know lots of people like to use bloom busters!) and I have a feeling someone who actually uses bloom busters will chime in with good reasons why you should use it and will give you advice on how to use it if you do decide to keep it.

[snow]

one warning though about using fertilizers with urea. don,t !
th
ey burn the roots easily and built up salts in the media.
so only use orchid or natural fertilizers.
just my 2 canadian cts worth

[caseydoll]

In addition to the great advice already given, I wanted to add a couple links that may help you as well.

Fertilizers & Plant Nutrition

And here's a link to help you calculate how much fertilizer to use. You just plug in the numbers from your fertilizer label.

Fertilizer PPM Calculator

[VickiC]

Thanks for letting me know, Snow. I knew that using a fert. with urea was bad, but I didn't know why...until now. I appreciate your "Canadian 2 cents worth"
Vicki

Originally Posted by snow

one warning though about using fertilizers with urea. don,t !
th
ey burn the roots easily and built up salts in the media.
so only use orchid or natural fertilizers.
just my 2 canadian cts worth

[dgenovese1]

Hi Vicki,
I can appreciate the fact that you feel a little overwhelmed by all of the information that is available...trust me, I've been there myself. Seeing how you are looking for simple solutions, I'll stick with what I tell friends who are growing just a few plants (or even one). It is a very basic version of what I use, without going into all of the chemistry behind it, and without going into the additives I might use and the variances I incorporate every 6 weeks and so on.
So, simply put, I recommend using a Dyna-Gro product called Liquid Grow 7-9-5 plant food. It comes as a liquid fertilizer concentrate, well balanced and suited for orchid growing. It is not too strong, so it doesn't need dilution beyond what is recommended on the package. It contains all of the essential micronutrients as well, so you don't need to bother yourself with additives. I'll include a link to the Dyna-Gro website in case you're interested:
Dyna-Gro
I have been using this product as the basis for my fertilizer regime and have had wonderful results with all of my plants…Vandas, cattleyas, phals, dendrobiums and many others.
Good Luck, and Happy growing ~ David

[Dorothy]

To add to Snow's comment regarding urea in fertilizers for orchids, according to myorchidcare.com -
FEED ME! MSU Orchid Fertilizer - Michigan State University Formula - rePotme.com Orchid Supply

"Orchids do not thrive on standard plant fertilizers because the nitrogen source in those fertilizers is primarily urea which orchids cannot absorb very well. Similarly, the type of Potassium in many fertilizers is not optimal for orchids."