Need Fertilizer for Dummies Instruction

[Ray]

Blondie,

There are a lot of misconceptions about feeding out there, so don't feel alone. There are a few basics that can be helpful.

• As was mentioned, a plant that is "resting" needs little-to-no applied nutrition at all.
• Too much nitrogen, compared to the other nutrients (as in your 30-10-10 example), may lead to extra vegetative growth, but can delay or stop flowering altogether.
• Plants need all three macronutrients, plus a whole bunch of minor- and trace elements, to be healthy and grow and bloom well.
• A high phosphorus fertilizer is NOT a bloom booster. Plants actually need very little P, and the rest is wasted.
• Feeding a low dosage of fertilizer regularly is better than larger, infrequent dosages.

Personally, I prefer to use a good, complete, orchid fertilizer at 125 ppm N at every watering (divide 10 by the %N on the label to get the appropriate teaspoons per gallon) for my extremely varied collection.

If you want to learn more, I have assembled some good info at my website. Check out the "Feeding" section here: First Rays' Free Info