Feeding

[Miles]

I have gotten into orchid growing and have had a lot of success with numerous species and hybrids but i have never used fertiliser. Will i get better results with feeding, if so what is the best make for numerous orchids?

[RosieC]

Hi Miles,

It's a good idea to fertilise as the plant needs more nutrients than there are in the water.

I see you are in the UK. I use this fertiliser which I buy at Dobbies but is probably available elsewhere as well.

Chempak Orchid Growth Formula High Nitrogen Food 250ml

However this is high in Nitrogen and people often suggest you use a more balanced mix.

I have good results with it though. My orchids seem to do well on it.

I also sometimes use the 'Orchid Bloom Formula' from the same company, but some people say a bloom formula does not help for improving blooms. I just use it because I already have both and once it is all gone I will probably not get any more of that one.

[Miles]

Thank-you i will give that a try.

[Ray]

Excessive nitrogen can lead to "soft" growth and suppress blooming. The "bloom boosters" don't "boost" anything, but as the phosphorus effectively dilutes the nitrogen content, it relieves the suppression and allows more natural blooming tendencies to be expressed.

[johnblagg]

now thats good to know.I always assumed it was the extra phosphours was used up by flower production.I would never have guessed it worked this way.

Thanks Ray

By the way would the use of potassium nitrate be helpfull or not?

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Ray

Excessive nitrogen can lead to "soft" growth and suppress blooming. The "bloom boosters" don't "boost" anything, but as the phosphorus effectively dilutes the nitrogen content, it relieves the suppression and allows more natural blooming tendencies to be expressed.

Great info Ray!

[Ray]

I was surprised by that, as well. It turns out that orchids use phosphorus quite "stingily", so only need a few percent in the fertilizer.

[irrka]

to lower the N, I would just need to dilute more? or how does it work?