ANOTHER question about fertilizer amounts

[OrchidThief79]

I know the subject has been beaten to death many times over. I've tried to read old posts on fertilizing and all the talk of ppm, liters (I'm American), ratios, etc hurts my brain.
I think the advice to fertilize at 1/4 to 1/2 the strength recommended on the label is confusing because most people use orchid-specific fertilizers and the recommended dosages on the label already take into account the weakly-weekly philosophy. So by reducing it further you're actually feeding too little. I guess I could do the math myself but, again, it hurts my brain.
Also the advice to feed at "every watering" is misguided since some plants get watered more frequently (i.e. Should Vandas be watered at 1/28th strength everyday? LOL)
Also confusing are 1) the widely varying NPK formulations available 2) how your conditions can change the whole scenario 3) how bark-potted plants need more nitrogen. 4) the water source, ph, etc. Its just too much information.
So I guess I would like for you guys to share specifically what product you use, the amount you use, and the frequency with which you use it.
Thanks.

[WhiteRabbit]

I can answer, sort of, as I am not very precise -
I mostly use Grow More bromeliad fertilizer (17-8-22) - 1/2 teaspoon per gallon once a week, 3 out of 4 weeks. 4th week flush media well with plain water.
Neofinetia and Paphs, I have been advised like less fert than most other orchids, so they get half strength.

Now - the imprecise part - most of my orchids need watering more than once a week this time of year - in-between waterings, I may use half, or even quarter strength fert from usual, or sometimes just plain water ...
Neo and Paphs, just plain water


I'm sure others will have more precise regimens ...

[Sekhmet]

Alright, here is where it gets embarrassing...

I fertilize almost everything once a week with Grow More Green formula at the rates suggested on the label, or slightly more dilute. Mounted, potted, whatever, all the same. I just smack all the pots in a tub full of fertilizer solution, and let soak for 15 minutes (1 hour for the vandas). Once a month, they get flushed out with clean water.

The exceptions are my Dracula and Masd., who get distilled H20 and only get fertilized weakly once a month.

Any additional watering (eg. misting, or drenching) is done with plain water.

Thus far, I really haven't had any problems. Pseudobulbs and leaves are as big or bigger than they were before, no fert. burns, no problems with flowering.

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[tucker85]

In South Florida, this time of year, plants are growing very rapidly. I use Peter's 20-20-20 at 1 teaspoon per gallon along with Maxicrop liquid seaweed at 1 ounce per gallon. I was using 1/2 teaspoon per gallon in the spring until growth excellerated in the summer. I don't soak the medium, I spray the solution on the leaves and visable roots and some on the surface of the medium once a week. When reading a lable of a new fertilizer I basically go by the instructions. If says 1 teaspoon once a week, that's what I do. But if it says 1 teaspoon, once a month then I would use 1/4 teaspoon each week. I always fertilize weekly during the growing season. The winter is a whole different ball game.

[OrchidThief79]

Thanks for all your responses. I tend to read too much and then I get information overload.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by OrchidThief79

Thanks for all your responses. I tend to read too much and then I get information overload.

hehe - I know how that feels - sometimes more info seems to make the issue more confusing, rather than clarify it