Phalaenopsis fertilizing

[dmpm]

Very new to orchids and want to learn the hows, whens etc on fertilizing and care.
Currently it is flowering like crazy and want to keep it healthy and happy.
Any and all help appreciated.

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB. This link has a lot of beginner info on phals that may help with your questions, however, please do feel free to ask any questions.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html
Joann

[Ysa]

[Blueszz]

When it comes to fertilizing every one makes their own choices. I'll tell you what choice I made and why.
I fertilize with every watering very weakly.

In situ the plants roots get exposed to al kind of organic debris that touches the roots, for instant decaying leaf litter, dead insects and bird poop. When it rains little bits flush along the roots.

From this I concluded that orchids have a constant supply of food but in very small concentrations. I try to copy that by fertilizing with every watering in a very low doses.
I don't increase the amount of fertilizer when the plants enter their main grow season. Because they need more water during this part of the year, they get more fertilizer as it's in the water always.

Just my 2 $ cents about this subject.

[Paerata]

My sixpence worth. I fertilise every 7 to 10 days quite weakly. I sit the phalas for 3 or 4 minutes in the sink full of water so the roots are immersed. For those whose roots protrude above the water level I syringe them. After taking them out I fill a pyrex jug with water and put in the fertiliser which makes the water just a tinge of blue/green. I asked questions like you and worked out a regimen that has been successful. If I gave more fertiliser I don't know what the results would be. However all seven of my phalas have flowers.

[Paerata]

I should add that all except one of the phalas is in a bark medium. The other orchid is in a moss medium and I only water and fertilise it once every 24 to 30 days. I bought it at the Cambrdige, Ontario orchid show last September. It was in flower then and continues to do so having added a few extra blooms in the meantime. My approach for it may not be what Hoyle or the seller would say but it is working it would seem.

[tucker85]

I fertilize once a week with 1/4 the recommended dose, during the summer. In the winter I use the same strength once every two weeks. If the orchid is in an open medium like fir bark you can water with the fertilizer. For orchids in sphagnum moss I use a hand sprayer and I spray the fertilizer on the leaves, visable roots and the top of the sphagnum. I wouldn't pour fertilizer mix in sphagnum moss because it will absorb too much of it and the salts will build up. Also flush the pots with plain water once a month to remove accumulated fertilizer salts. I would rather give an orchid too little fertilizer than too much.