How do you feed liquid fertilizer?

[Foogoo]

Hi all, I'm using Gubler Pro-Blend Orchid Food which are crystals dissolved in a gallon of water. Since it goes straight through the pot and into the sink when I use it, I've been placing an orchid below the one I'm feeding, so it catches what flows through the one on top.

Does anyone else do this? Is there a better/more efficient way of feeding?

[Bulbofett]

I feed by soaking. I have a large tub that I fill with water. I set it out overnight. In the morning I dissolve the fertilizer and then drench all my orchids for about 30 minutes to make sure the bark has fully absorbed the water.

[Foogoo]

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

I feed by soaking. I have a large tub that I fill with water. I set it out overnight. In the morning I dissolve the fertilizer and then drench all my orchids for about 30 minutes to make sure the bark has fully absorbed the water.

That's a great idea I wouldn't have thought of!

[ALToronto]

Don't pour second-hand water through your orchids. It's how insects and diseases spread. Fertilizer is not that expensive, and you should be using about 1/10 of what it says on the label.

[NYCorchidman]

Communal bath= sharing potential diseases and bugs



I feed as I water them. I feed about once a month.

I water my plants one by one.

It is time consuming, but I rarely see any diseases under my care, if ever.

[Bulbofett]

I haven't had any problems of diseases or sharing bugs, but maybe I've just been lucky so far. I've only owned my orchids for about a year so I'm still learning.

[RandomGemini]

I'm with Al.

I individually fertilize my plants. I water them first, to make sure the roots are good and open to accepting nutrients. I have no idea if this helps or not, but it seems like it might, so I water first. I soak my plants individually for 15 minutes. Then I set them on a towel for 15 minutes to drain. Then I pour a little liquid fertilizer, mixed at one quarter the strength recommended on the back, straight through the pot. Then I let it drain onto the towel for another few minutes, then I return it to its usual spot.

[Cym Ladye]

The best rule of thumb and that followed by most successful growers and all commercial growers, is "weekly, weakly". This means to fertilize with a diluted strength every time you water.

As far as ratio is concerned, read the label and follow directions as to tsp per gallon per month. Reduce accordingly when you water weekly.

There are pros and cons on watering before fertilizing. As was stated, the roots plump with the water. Soooo, what room is left for them to absorb the fertilizer water? Hmmmm?

[RandomGemini]

I'm really new to orchid growing, so I figure that if I messed up on mixing the fertilizer and added too much to the water, watering beforehand gives me a little insurance that I won't burn roots.

[cbuchman]

I use the liquid fertilizer at every watering (more in summer with high growth, less in winter with low growth). I mix it up in the watering 5 quart water can as if it were a 1 gallon watering can so it is always a little more diluted.

I water each plant from the watering can. being sure to give it a good drenching. I try to avoid the communal soak, but sometimes do it for my mounted orchids.