Favorite fertilizers?

[Nepenthes0260]

Hi, everybody!

I have a fertilizer that my catts, zygos, and phals seem to really enjoy, but I'm wondering what to use for my others. I have Angraecum, masd., den (aussie type), paph, and phrag that haven't decided on a favorite fertilizer. What do you guys use for these genera? Preferably looking for a foliar spray type.

Thanks in advance!

[Orchid Whisperer]

Foliar feeds are not very effective on many orchids, due to a waxy cuticle on the leaves. Though, foliar feeds will eventually drip down to the roots.

Any soluble fertilizer that provides N, P, and K should work. Provide supplemental Ca and Mg if your water quality indicates you need them.

[Nepenthes0260]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Foliar feeds are not very effective on many orchids, due to a waxy cuticle on the leaves. Though, foliar feeds will eventually drip down to the roots.

Any soluble fertilizer that provides N, P, and K should work. Provide supplemental Ca and Mg if your water quality indicates you need them.

Thank you for the reply! I have some Maxsea 16-16-16 that I use for my Heliamphora. Would that work for them? I also have grow more 20-10-20 and 30-10-10.

Also, you're saying that spraying the foliage extra-well doesn't matter, just that I should make sure to get some down on the roots? Thanks again!

[Orchid Whisperer]

Any of those fertilizer ratios should work Use at lower strength (1/4 package recommendation). Plant NPK needs are high N, low P, K about equal to N.

[Ray]

The waxy cuticle layers on plants' leaves are there to slow water loss - all part of the overall adaptation of epiphytes - and if they block water from leaving, they also block water from entering, meaning that foliar feeding is inefficient. You're better off watering the pot, not the plant.

Spraying salts on the leaf surfaces will make them dirty, as will do damage over time, especially if the fertilizer concentration is too great.

[WaterWitchin]

I would only add... you don't really need different fertilizers for different orchids, if you're looking for something like "rose" fertilizer, "violet" fertilizer, "tomato" fertilizer, etc. Just pick one you like or are recommended and use it.

[richardb]

I use Peters Calmag GROW from February to July then Calmag FINISHER from August to February. Not very scientific measurement, I add three teaspoons to 30 ltrs of water which is weak and all plants in my two orchid greenhouses grow and flower well.

[Cym Ladye]

MSU for all my orchids as a pot feed. Has worked for years.

[Ray]

I used the MSU RO formula for about 5 years before switching to it's derivative, K-Lite Orchid/Epiphyte fertilizer about 7-8 years ago.

I have been pleased with both.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Nepenthes0260

Preferably looking for a foliar spray type.

I did tried foliar spray, but don't apply it anymore - because I agree with everybody here - that the nutrients (from fertiliser) that the orchid takes in --- shoud be through the roots. The normal way.

In Australia, I just use Yates Liquid Plant Food - which is just a fertiliser that is safe for orchids. I just use one-quarter to one-third the strength that it says in the instructions, and around the first day of each month. In colder season times, where the orchids don't do much, it's ok to take a break during those times.

I have orchid friends in my city that does weak application of fertilser once-a-week. That's the well-known 'weakly weekly' schedule.

The main thing is to just have a working schedule that keeps the orchids in great condition and do their usual thing (growing and staying healthy) year in and year out.