When to start Flowering Fert.

[Kona's Gold]

Aloha All,

I was adding a 3rd bench to the shade house yesterday (too many bunched up plants) and noticed that I have 5 and possibly 6 plants in spike. When is the best time to start using a flowering fert ? When the spikes start showing or when they start to open up. I will take some pics when they open as 3 of the I have no id on them. But I will post all. Thanks for this wonderful board and the great help everyone provides.

Roland

[Ross]

I will probably be one of the loners out here, but I never switch between bloom and grow. I also never switch between binge and starve. I fertilize every single time with a mix designed to yield 125ppm Nitrogen and use RO water. Having said this, my plants (including cacti, rhubarb, herbs, and everything else) do wonderful. The plants other than orchids get the drain water from the orchids. Orchids get first choice in my world So, I can't answer your question other than hope to sway you to a different regime. I would bet in Hawaii, constant application of weak (125ppm nitrogen) fertilizer would yield huge results. For me I see maybe 25% greater growth, constant blooms, and wonderful health of the plants. If interested check out Plant Nutrition I have been purchasing from Ray (an active Orchid Board member) for a while now and trust the info he posts. Hope this helps, even if not what you asked

[Cym Ladye]

Check the thread: "Which type of fertilizer to Use and When". I believe it was on the Beginner Forum a week or so back. This should help for an overall view of the fertilizer question. I suspect that there are other fertilizer threads out there also if you scan the topics on the forum.

[camille1585]

Here is the the thread mentioned by cym ladye
what type of fertilizer in bloom vs when not

I also fertilize like Ross does (but not with RO water), and get lots of growth and lots of blooms too. If the plants are happy and healthy this way, I don't see why I should go through the hassle of juggling 2 fertilizers.

[Mothra79]

I'm adding my vote to the method Ross mentions.

[Cym Ladye]

Camille, thank you for posting the name of the thread to which I was referring. Were I growing in Michigan or growing multi-genera orchids primarily, if not totally, in a climate controlled greenhouse, I would absolutely agree with both you and Ross on using a complete and balanced fertilizer whenever you water, ie all year. Likewise, growing in most regions of Hawaii where growth occurs all year because of the higher temps, I would also recommend a balanced fertilizer application with each watering all year.

However, my collection of 98% Cymbidiums is grown outside in Northern California without additional heat, and climate control is governed by Mother Nature.. Over the years they have responded best to a balanced regime until the cold, rainy, winter days bring lower temps, lower light and shorter days. Fertilizer is not absorbed under these conditions so I tend not to waste it.

The bottom line is to use a program that best suits one's time schedule, climatic region and gives the best results. Most growers, experienced and novice alike, experiment until they find the right combination for the best results for their situation....and then they experiment some more! Always trying to improve our results is what makes our hobby such an enjoyable but ongoing challenge.


Cym Ladye

[RosieC]

I don't have much view on the topic of whether it's right to change fertiliser or not, but I do because it's worked so far for me.

My fertiliser says on it 'from the point of first bud formation until the last flower drops' so I use the bloom one once buds form, but the growth one while the spike is growing.

I'm a novice and I have no idea if these 'bloom formulas' are necessary but my 'chids grow and flower well so I stick with what works.

[frostedeyes]

same goes for me i always fertilizer with im watering my plants its your choice its better if you're using ferts 20-20-20 specially design for orchids, between than i add rooting hormone every other day. So one is the fertlized one and the other is the fertilized one + root hormone. my aunt told me just always make ur canes or psedo bulbs fat (swollen) in that way they will have a bigger chance to produce flowers!

[isurus79]

Roland,
Its good to see another grower in Hawaii on the OB!! Im on Oahu right now, but cant wait to get back to the Big Island to live. As far as bloom ferts go, I use a 20-20-20, never switch to bloom ferts and fertilize all 137 of my plants the same from March through November or December. I would go nuts if I were to give each plant individual attention and I get great blooms with this regimine! By the way, are you seeing any negative results on your orchids from the vog? I heard its REALLY bad over there right now.

[Kona's Gold]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Roland,
Its good to see another grower in Hawaii on the OB!! Im on Oahu right now, but cant wait to get back to the Big Island to live. As far as bloom ferts go, I use a 20-20-20, never switch to bloom ferts and fertilize all 137 of my plants the same from March through November or December. I would go nuts if I were to give each plant individual attention and I get great blooms with this regimine! By the way, are you seeing any negative results on your orchids from the vog? I heard its REALLY bad over there right now.

I have not seen any effect of the Vog on the orchids but I seem to get a headach in the afternoon and sore throat in the morning But otherwise it mostly effects the South and East sides I have not been over to any of the Orchid nurserys on the Hilo side to see if they are getting negitive effects. I do not know if the acid rain is going to do any long term effect but I am keeping my eye on it.