How to fertilize mounted Orchids

[RosieC]

Like others have said, I spray with the fertiliser/water mix, spraying the whole plant.

Here in the UK you can get small pressurised sprayers. Not much bigger than the standard squeeze trigger ones, but you pump then up first, then can lock the trigger on while you move the spray over the plants.

Here's what I use, but this is from a UK company so not not sure it's available internationally. They are soooo much easier to use than the squeeze trigger ones. Hozelock Killaspray 1.25 Litre: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

[james mickelso]

I dip my mounted orchids in a bucket. I water them that way too. You could mix up some fertilizer in a quart jar and then just hold the mount over a dish or shallow pan and pour the water on the monted orchid. Then pour the runoff into the jar again and repeat until soaked.

[plumania]

RosieC-you are right,that sprayer is not available on USA site. Looks like a good option though.
Dipping the mount looks like a good alternative,like James said . But why just pour solution on the roots?
How about leaving the plant in the solution for a few minutes if I keep solution level right under the base of the plant? Would that cause rot? Did anyone actually try leaving plant in solution for a few minutes?

[WhiteRabbit]

Try home depot or hardware store if you want a small hand pump sprayer.

Yes I soak mine as well. Like I said - if in bud or bloom, and in winter I don't soak. Daytime humidity during warm weather here is low so I don't worry about the water sitting in new growth and leaf axis at those times. I don't have any mounted Phals or other orchids where water in a crown might be a problem.
Just uses less water and fertilizer to spray.

[james mickelso]

First the solution should be a dilute mix of food. 1/4 strength or even less. Next, you can get fertilizer solution on the roots, leaves, and mount without any ill effects. Foliar feeding is practiced by a lot of growers. You can dip the orchid in the solution. But to dip it takes a lot of solution as opposed to just mixing up a pint and pouring it on the mount and all. The orchid dries quickly enough so as to preclude any rot. I like to grow orchids mounted because I can water more frequently. You don't need to soak them for a long time. The velamen absorbs water rather quickly. It's an adaption to liing in a variable climate. During the dry season whatever rain or dew falls on the plant, it must take in that moisture quickly before it evaporates.

[plumania]

Yes, I would search for the sprayer at local store.

OK,so if I understood it right- pouring the solution on the orchid means fertilizing with less waste.
And if dunking the plant in the solution (with or without leaves being soaked ),it does not need to be too long. For example 5-10 minutes should do. I guess it should dry up by the next day even in hot and humid south Florida.

And no ferts when in bud/bloom.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by plumania

Yes, I would search for the sprayer at local store.

OK,so if I understood it right- pouring the solution on the orchid means fertilizing with less waste.
And if dunking the plant in the solution (with or without leaves being soaked ),it does not need to be too long. For example 5-10 minutes should do. I guess it should dry up by the next day even in hot and humid south Florida.

And no ferts when in bud/bloom.

Sorry - I didn't mean no fertilizer while in bud or bloom - just that I don't soak or dunk mounts then, to keep water and fert from getting on the buds or blooms (they can spot)

I like to soak a bit to give them a bit longer to take up fertilizer, and in summer to give roots a good soak - but the few I have are a few years old with little or no moss on them, roots growing out into the air, etc. I do have a recent mount with a fair amount of moss, and no roots growing out from the moss yet, and so far with that one I just spray or use watering can, and when not using fert just run it under the faucet a bit

[plumania]

Oh, I get it. Mine have very little moss and good roots. So dunking should not be a problem. I could also alternate dunking with misting.
So, it is ok to fertilize when in bud/bloom as long as it does not touch them. Would you use high nitrogen or high phosphorus fertilizer during bloom?

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[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by plumania

Oh, I get it. Mine have very little moss and good roots. So dunking should not be a problem. I could also alternate dunking with misting.
So, it is ok to fertilize when in bud/bloom as long as it does not touch them. Would you use high nitrogen or high phosphorus fertilizer during bloom?

I always use a fertilizer for orchids or other blooming plants that is meant for regular use (not high growth, nor bloom, generally these have slightly higher nitrogen than phosphorus), or balanced (such as 13-13-13)

Sometimes it happens that water and fert splashes on buds or blooms, and it's not the end of the world (happens with potted plants as well) I just try to prevent that so the blooms won't be browned or spotted.

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[plumania]

Hmmm...............listening to everybody.

Hand exercise .....yeah, get plenty of that already and I think more research needs to be done on exercise utility in arthritis at different stages....poorly studied area. Seen plenty of arthritic people with no help whatsoever with exercises. But I agree, this triggering motion is good exercise for hand muscles. Try telling that to my hand joints that are stiff and painful in the morning when I go watering plants. Haa haa haa....
Rest of the day is either too hot and humid or full of hungry mosquitoes who think I am their dinner.


You are all wonderful people, I got so many advises on ways to water my mounts in a more hand friendly way. I would try them for sure. If I do well, I plan to get just a few more mounties and that is why I wanted to figure it out beforehand. May be then it would be worth that 5 gallon sprayer,I do not see myself buying that many orchids though.
Many thanks.