Higher potassium?

[Mothra79]

I've read somewhere that you're supposed to switch your orchids from one with relatively higher nitrogen levels to one with higher potassium levels. I can't recall whether this was a seasonal thing, or something you do when the orchid spikes or blooms. Could someone enlighten me? Thanks in advance!

[Ross]

I used to worry about that, but ever since I studied the info on Ray's site - Plant Nutrition I've quit the "starve and binge" routine and the switch of mixes. I only use Greencare MSU mix diluted to 125ppm Nitogen in RO water. I use this regularly year-long with every watering. I never vary the mix and never vary the routine. I get marvelous blooms and marvelous growth. Beyond what I ever would expect in the years past.

[Mothra79]

Thank you for the info Ross! I've been seeing some good results with the fertilizer I'm using now, so I guess if it isn't broke, don't fix it, right? I do have a sort of related question. I just bought some liquid seaweed, is it okay to use this alongside my regular fertilizer?

[Ross]

I have no opinion on that. My regimen is pretty simple (I need simple ) I don't look for new things, I don't use anything other than MSU mix, KLN and sometimes Pro-Tekt.

[Jadeco]

Originally Posted by Mothra79

I just bought some liquid seaweed, is it okay to use this alongside my regular fertilizer?

Apparently, liquid seaweed can greatly change the pH of your solution, so you might want to get that checked with some pH strips. Some people use a dilute seaweed extract spray for foliage.

[justatypn]

Moth sometimes we need to go back to nature. I don't change around my feeding like I use to. I keep it simple Jacks and Superthrive every watering. I myself like a change in food but I really have not seen where it makes to bit of difference with orchids. Just remember in nature fertilizer is like truffles to us

[Ray]

In the "olden days", it was common to feed all plants with fairly high nitrogen levels, which is great for foliage growth, but like feeding sugar to kids, does nothing for their well-being, and has actually been shown to dlay blooming, or stop it altogether.

It was then found that phosphorus compounds appeared to promote blooming, and for years, folks debated when in the growth cycle one should switch.

More recent studies, however, have shown that phosphorus doesn't promote blooming at all, but is merely diluting the concentration of nitrogen being supplied, ending the "overdosing" of that, thereby allowing the plant to bloom.

Feed a plant well with a balanced (i.e., not too much nitrogen) fertilizer, and all will be well.