New Chid & Fertilizer Question

[SP2340]

Hello everyone. I was driving to Homestead today to visit RF orchids and saw an orchid sale on the side of the road. I stopped and, of course, bought an orchid. I was suprized they had a Sharry Baby! It's been on my list for a while.

I have a few questions about fertilizer in general. I just need some clarification. I have 1 that's high in nitrogen and one thats high in phosforous. The instructions say to use the phos one every 4th feeding. What about when it's blooming? Do I still give it the high nitro one? I've heard that inhibits flowering.

I've heard people say not to fertilize when it's spiking but I've also heard that orchids are hungry during and after blooming. So what do I give it?

Thank you all very much.

[Ray]

It sounds like the instructions you've gotten are based upon old information. Orchids are actually better off with neither - but don't get concerned, as at this point, we have no idea what you mean by "high" levels of either.

Excessive nitrogen can lead to soft, "leggy" growth, sort-of akin to feeding kids a lot of sugar - lots of energy, but no real nutrition to keep them healthy.

Excessive phosphorus is a waste of phosphorus. Plants only need a relatively small amount.

The best rule-of-thumb I have found is to use a moderate blend and use it pretty much constantly, and something in the realm of a multiple of 4-1-5 seems to be pretty good.

By the way, that's a really nice, ruby-red Sharry.