Is it mandatory to fertilize? - Orchid Board

Ghoulie · #1 03-29-2011, 05:11 PM

I've been wondering this for a while now. I got my first Orchid about a year ago, and it has been flourishing under my care ever since. I do admit that I need to repot it; but, otherwise, it's bloomed nicely and it not looking all that shabby. I wonder, though, is it absolutely necessary to fertilize them on a regular basis, or is it acceptable to skip out on that completely? I know I need to go by how the plant reacts to how I care for it, for no plant is exactly the same; but I can't help desiring second opinions from experienced growers.

Zoi2 · #2 03-29-2011, 05:16 PM

Plants are living organisms and require nourishment. I believe you will need to feed your orchid for it to continue to thrive, especially to bloom.
Joann

Ghoulie · #3 03-29-2011, 05:48 PM

Very true, and agreed. Thank you. It'll definitely be put to good use.

Discus · #4 03-30-2011, 05:51 AM

What a lot of people forget is that unlike houseplants and garden plants, which are grown in a somewhat nutritious soil or potting mix, orchids are grown in media that are very poor in nutrients.

Even then, your garden and houseplants eventually use up all the nutrients and benefit from compost/fertiliers etc!

Orchids definitely benefit from it, and it's definitely necessary - just don't use too much, because you'll cause damage; most orchids come from nutrient poor environments where they occasionally get a little bit of nourishment from some rotting leaves or bird poop or the like!

"weakly, weekly" is a fairly good rule of thumb; 1/2 to 1/4 strength fertiliser is good.

It's generally a good idea to match your fertiliser to your water quality as well.

Ghoulie · #5 03-30-2011, 01:35 PM

Again, Discus, thank you very much for the advice and information.

Discus · #6 03-31-2011, 04:10 AM

sure thing

I just realised my last line might be a little cryptic - you get fertilisers for very pure water (rainwater/RO water) and fertilisers intended for regular utility/borehole/well water. The balance of nutrients and a few other components are slightly different.

Try to get a fertiliser that isn't Urea based for it's nitrogen component; orchids can't really use it.

tucker85 · #7 03-31-2011, 10:15 AM

Here in Florida I do know some people that don't fertilize their orchids. These plants are grown outdoors and probably get fertilized by bugs and lizards and birds. I also have known some indoors growers that do not fertilize. In this case the orchid would have to be in an organic medium that the plant can pick up nutrients from. I have read that some people feel that orchids grow in osmunda do not need to be fertilized. For most of us, orchids will grow and bloom much better when fertilized during their growing season. Many orchids need no fertilizer during their winter rest period. Others, like phals and vandas, grow continuously and should be fertilized year round.

Paul Mc · #8 03-31-2011, 10:30 AM

Somewhere I read that while a lot of people probably do need to fertilize, it is also not necessarily a must. If an orchid is growing, blooming and otherwise thriving in the environment/medium you are using then why change a thing? (BTW, that was pretty much what the article said, I think it was on Ray's website.) I think the basic point was that everyones environment gives plants different things, and if an orchid is otherwise happy then it might mean it's getting what it needs as is.

On a side note, I have never fertilized until the past few months and have had continued success. However, another article I read showed a test that someone did. The first year on the same plant (which was very mature to start with and the owner had it for many years) he/she did not fertilize. The flowers were spectacular. The next year he/she did fertilize and OMG they were even more spectacular. There were many more blooms than the previous year and the writer noted that they seemed to last longer. This particular person said that they were convinced after having done this test. This is what has inspired me to "test" this year as well.

Paul Mc · #9 03-31-2011, 10:32 AM

I would also like to note that I originally started fertilizing a few of my orchids as they are not potted in anything. They have no source for nutrients other than through water. I decided since I was going to be fertilizing them anyway, I might as well conduct my own test to see if it would improve anything.