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!

[cabnc]

Need more information on what type of orchid(s) you have, where are you growing them (windowsill, under lights, greenhouse) the growing media they are potted in (fir bark, spag moss, etc).

[frostedeyes]

you can water your orchids... as long as they will be completely dry out when it reach by night. - this is how you would adjust your watering habits.
regarding on fertilizers, a weakly spray is important. if you think your plants is growing healthy! then you're doing to right choice! happy blooming!

[jstam]

I have a Phalaenopsis that I bought from the local garden centre about one month ago. It is my first orchid. It is currently growing on a table a short distance away from large window facing westward. There is a large tree just outside of my apartment which shades some of the direct light, and the drapes of the window are usually kept shut.

The growing medium came with my orchid, and I am not sure exactly what it is. It seems to be an organic, fibrous material of a mix of green and brown colour.

I purchased the orchid in bloom. Thus far, one flower has died (which I removed), and the second is becoming wilted. I plan to remove this in the next few days.

The leaves have maintained their green colouration for the most part. However, they do curl inwards at the end, which leads me to suspect that I should be watering them more frequently. I try to time my watering according to the dryness of the growing medium, which works out to every four days or so.