Let's talk fertilizer

[NYCorchidman]

I have used almost anything I could find at stores near me. typical urea fertilizers with a few elements list to non-urea fertilizer with many trace elements.
I honestly do not see any difference on my plants whatever I use.

With that said, I no longer use urea based ones, but use non urea with trace elements (Jack's Classic liquid balanced) mainly because I feel better myself. lol
I used Dyna Grow before, which I think is basically the same stuff as Jack, but I have to pay for shipping for Dyna Grow, while Jacks is something I can find locally.

I also don't believe in bloom booster.
When plants are grown in good basic conditions (proper light cannot be emphasized enough), good blooming will follow.

While some fertilizer won't hurt, I have not seen any evidence that just adding high P fertilizer will suddenly make a huge difference in flowering.

[jeremyinsf]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

When plants are grown in good basic conditions (proper light cannot be emphasized enough), good blooming will follow.

Could not agree with this more.

In nature, plants bloom because they get a steady flow of nutrients, and good light. Not because they are shocked into it with high doses of chemicals.

If you want orchids to bloom - give them more light.

[Leafmite]

I don't think there is a one-size-fits all fertilizer, just fertilizers that work better under certain conditions. The fertilizers mentioned are very good. I grow with lava rock and distilled/rain water so I have had to adjust things a bit concerning the fertilizer. Some nutrients wash away easier and some take more time to be dissolved while others tend to stay behind on the rock. So, it was a bit of a loop getting things right for me. I use a mish-mash of various fertilizers and additives to make my plants and orchids happy. I find that temperature and the amount of rainfall affect the frequency and what amounts of nutrients my plants/orchids will need.

[Tabbyblack13]

Variables like water, potting mixs, and sunlight affect each plant differently. Trace minerals are sometimes needed to keep the plant healthy and happy.