Bloom vs. Balanced fertilizer?

[cabbo]

I have been using balanced fertilizer regularly but after a couple plants had what I consider weak spikes, I was wondering if I should switch to a bloom (lower n) fertilizer. What do you use? Are most people using different fert. at different times of the year (or stage of growth)?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What's the N-P-K breakdown of your fertilizer?

[slipperfreak]

I use almost exclusively a higher P, low N formula because not only do I like the bloom-boosting effects of such a fertilizer, it also helps to encourage strong root growth, which is the basis of a healthy plant. I also don't like nitrogen buildup in the potting mix. I use higher N formulas only occasionally.

Currently I'm using 10-15-10 on all my Paphs and Phrags, and 19-31-17 on most others, like Phals and Catts.

[Pilot]

I tend to switch mine up periodically. Right now I'm using 20-20-20 but next watering, in about two or so days, I'll use something like 10-45-10. All of my plants are in s/h. Half are spiking (and spiking well)-- the others are still growing new leaves. So I need the balance there, not just for the flowers but for the leaves, too.

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

What's the N-P-K breakdown of your fertilizer?

I'm using a 7-8-6 @ 1t per G. with 2-3 drops kln per G as well. I'm thinking maybe i'm not feritlizing enough or need to use some bloom fert. Spikes just seem weak with only minimal buds compared to last years phals and cym.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by cabbo

I'm using a 7-8-6 @ 1t per G. with 2-3 drops kln per G as well. I'm thinking maybe i'm not feritlizing enough or need to use some bloom fert.

I often feel like I may be over fertilizing but then again, my plants are in s/h and get flushed often with clean water. I have no salt build up and the plants seem to be digging what I give them.

How's your light situation?

As for your fertilizer dosage, to me, that seems a little weak, but I don't know what you're growing the plants in.

What kind of medium to you use? Types of plants?

Mine are all phals.

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by cabbo

I'm using a 7-8-6 @ 1t per G. with 2-3 drops kln per G as well. I'm thinking maybe i'm not feritlizing enough or need to use some bloom fert. Spikes just seem weak with only minimal buds compared to last years phals and cym.

How often do you fertilize? I like to follow the rule, "weakly, weekly", so I apply at 1/2 strength every week. This way the orchids get enough nutrients, but not too much .

[Ray]

1) There ain't no such thing as a "booster". Plants will bloom to there maximum genetic ability when they are grown properly, i.e, with adequate light, water, nutrition, and other appropriate cultural parameters.

2) Excessive nitrogen can dissuade blooming or stop it altogether. The marketing hype of a "Bloom Booster" fertilizer disguises the fact that the manufacturer has added an excess of a phosphorus compound to the concentrate in order to dilute the nitrogen.

3) 7-8-6 is a great fertilizer to use routinely, but I would recommend that it be used at 1.5 teaspoons per gallon at every watering in s/h culture, or 1.5-2 tsp/gal 3 out of 4 waterings in "normal" culture.

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by Pilot

I often feel like I may be over fertilizing but then again, my plants are in s/h and get flushed often with clean water. I have no salt build up and the plants seem to be digging what I give them.

How's your light situation?

As for your fertilizer dosage, to me, that seems a little weak, but I don't know what you're growing the plants in.

What kind of medium to you use? Types of plants?

Mine are all phals.

Light is good maybe even too much for phals. I use sphag and bark. Weak spikes are on cym. and phals. And yes I fertilize weakly weekly. I think I'll switch to a higher P fert. and use at the appropriate stage before and during blooming.
Has anyone seen a signifigant difference in number of blooms using the "bloom" type fert?

[cabbo]

Originally Posted by Ray

1) There ain't no such thing as a "booster". Plants will bloom to there maximum genetic ability when they are grown properly, i.e, with adequate light, water, nutrition, and other appropriate cultural parameters.

2) Excessive nitrogen can dissuade blooming or stop it altogether. The marketing hype of a "Bloom Booster" fertilizer disguises the fact that the manufacturer has added an excess of a phosphorus compound to the concentrate in order to dilute the nitrogen.

3) 7-8-6 is a great fertilizer to use routinely, but I would recommend that it be used at 1.5 teaspoons per gallon at every watering in s/h culture, or 1.5-2 tsp/gal 3 out of 4 waterings in "normal" culture.

Thanks Ray, I was just checking out your calculator and realized that I was not using enough 7-8-6 on a regular basis.