Best choice for fertilizer availible in EU

[ConfusedGrower]

Hello fellow orchid enthusiasts,

I’m looking for advice on the best fertilization options for orchids available in Europe. Since there are so many products on the market, I’d love to hear from experienced growers about what works best for them.

Do you use a general fertilizer for all your orchids, or do you adjust your approach based on species-specific needs? Are there particular products or additives (such as calcium, magnesium, or organic supplements) that you’ve found beneficial?

I’m currently waiting for an order of new orchids and want to ensure I provide them with the best care. Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

For reference, the orchids I’m expecting are:
Cattleya bicolor, Bulbophyllum eberhardtii, and Miltonidium Bratley Star.

Looking forward to your advice!

Best regards, ConfusedGrower

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

You will get more detailed advice from people in the EU, but orchid fertilizer is not very important in comparison to getting temperatures, relative humidity, watering and light correct.

A balanced fertilizer with trace micronutrients is fine, and there are many available. If your water lacks calcium or magnesium, and your fertilizer doesn't have enough of either, your plants might benefit from a calcium-magnesium supplement. If your fertilizer or your water has these elements you don't need to supplement.

[Blueszz]

I use Peters Professional 20-20-20. If you have the possibility to use rain water or reversed osmosis water, Akerne Rain Mix might be your way to go. This fert. does also contain calcium and magnesium.

[rbarata]

I use Akerne Rain Mix.
You don't need to use it only with rain water or reversed osmosis water, although it might be more "exact" in measuring the concentrations. I use it with tap water but in extremely diluted solutions (1/4 to 1/2 of the recomended dosage.
You can also find a chemical analysis of your tap water (available in the water company) and do all the necessary compensations in the dosage.

[tmoney]

hey there,

if you ever buy orchids online from schwerter, they have bottles of their own branded fertiliser for sale. that's pretty much all we use and it seems to work fine. its nothing special, and i have no idea where they get it or if its just some generic mix that they have a license to brand. just another option if you're lazy like us

[Blueszz]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I use Akerne Rain Mix.
You don't need to use it only with rain water or reversed osmosis water, although it might be more "exact" in measuring the concentrations. I use it with tap water but in extremely diluted solutions (1/4 to 1/2 of the recomended dosage.
You can also find a chemical analysis of your tap water (available in the water company) and do all the necessary compensations in the dosage.

I think it depends. My tap water already has a lot of calcium and magnesium and a very high TDS (Total dissolved solids).