Fertilizer...

[jaxorchidman]

Do you find it better using granulated fertilizer or mixing it in with your water?? I would imagine that if mixing the fert in with the water it could damage the blooms if you get it on them? All info would be greatly appreciated.

[trdyl]

I only use powdered fertilizers that I mix at time of use and am careful not to get it on the flowers. I dislike time realeased fertilizers.

[Orchid126]

I use powdered fertilizer also that I mix with the water just before using. Time release is difficult to control in that some types depend on how often you water, and often some types depend on heat to release their chemicals.

At least this is the case in the northeast.

[Connie Star]

I use liquid fertilizers that I mix up. It's probably more expensive, but I'm relatively new at this and that is what I am doing for now.

[tucker85]

Fertilizers can definately stain orchid petals. For that reason I don't fertilize the plants while they're in bloom. When I fertilize I remove all the blooming orchids to another area so the spray won't stain them. I have used both powder and liquid fertilizers and I mix them with water. The only kind of dry fertilize that you should put directly in the orchid pot would be time release fertilizers. Dynomite from Home Depot is the most commonly used. Don't use dry plant fertilizer that is meant to be spread on the grown around plants grown in soil. That kind of fertilizer is not recommended for use with orchids.