Fertilizing questions

[jstam]

Hi there,

I have a few questions about fertilizing my orchid.

1. Is there a consensus on how frequently I should fertilize my orchid? I have heard anywhere from every time I water to monthly. I have also heard that fertilizing should decrease or stop in the fall and winter. I imagine that this is grower dependent, but does anyone have a regimen that works well for you? Also, am I allowed to continue fertilizing into the winter months, or would this have adverse outcomes?

2. What strength should I be fertilizing at? I have read that I should fertilize at half the recommended concentration that the fertilizer instructions provide. However, my fertilizer seems to be designed for orchids. Should I create my fertilizer mix at its recommended concentration?

3. My fertilizer mix specifically recommends mixing half a scoop of fertilizer in 2.5 L of water. However, my orchid actually requires quite a bit less than this. Should I create 2.5 L of solution at a time and only water as much as is needed, or to mix the half scoop into the amount my orchid usually requires?

Thanks!