Fertilizers...

[Mxptrsn]

Ok..recently i just bought a couple of fertilizers, that is, Growmore 32-10-10, Growmore 20-20-20, Growmore 12-45-10, Hortigro 22-11-22+ME, Liquinox Start Vitamin B1. And, I have new shoots, teen and adult plants in one pot for oncidium, cattleya, epidendrum, grammatophyllum and phaius. So, how do i use or combine those fertilizers when there're new shoots, teen and adult plants in one pot?? As far as i know, each different stage of plant needs different fertilizer. So, please help me guys..thanks very much in advance! =D

[Mxptrsn]

Ok I know that 32-10-10 is for the new shoots, 20-20-20 is for the teen plant and 12-45-10 and 22-11-22+ME are for adult plants and to induce flowering. finally, the liquinox start vit. b1 is to stimulate root growth. But, I was wondering how should i use the fertilizers when every stage of the plant is in one pot..

[tucker85]

I don't use different fertilizers for different stages of growth. Many of the commercial growers here in Florida use a balanced fertilizer like your 20-20-20 and they grow in inert medium like LECA. It should be a complete fertilizer containing the minor elements as well. Some people have gone over to the MSU formula which is low in phosphorus like your 22-11-22. I don't have an opinion on that formula yet but many people swear by it. The high nitrogen fertilizer like your 32-10-10 is designed for orchids grown in fir bark. Fir bark breaks down rapidly and as it does it harbors many microorganisms that also use up some of the nitrogen in the fertilizer. Your 12-45-10 is a high phosporus bloom booster fertilizer. It is used by some people at the end of the summer growing season in an effort to stimulate blooming. Many experts say that it is not the high phosphorus but the low nitrogen that promotes blooming. Some experts question whether it works at all. My experience is that it has an affect on some species but not on most. I would suggest using the 20-20-20 or the 22-11-22 at a very low dosage (orchids grow on trees and rocks and don't need a lot of nutrients). Make sure it's a complete fertilizer containing the minor elements also.