Should i Fertilize if the media has fertilizer in it?

[jeffsv]

I have just repotted 4 of my phals with an orchid media made of bark and what not. But it has miracle grow fertilizer in it that feeds for up to 6 months. Should i continue my regular feeding routine or let the new potting mix do its job???

[jeremyinsf]

You should not 'double up' on fertilizer, in general.

What is the specific orchid mix you are using? Do you have a link to it or something?

[james mickelso]

If it has timed release fertilizer in it, I would wait. And this time of year (short day light, cool temps) your orchid isn't really using it much. As you water it leaches out anyway and little is absorbed by the roots.

[jeffsv]

Thanks for your replies. This is the orchid mix i repotted them in and thanks to your comments I'm gonna hold off until I think fertilizing is necessary

[jeremyinsf]

Thanks for the photo. I suggest, if you are interested, doing some searching on this board for that mix. Several people have used it and there is a lot of... advice... and opinions.

The quickest thing I saw was to be extra careful with watering.

Here is an example:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...tting-mix.html

Welcome to the orchidboard btw, and happy holidays!

[jeffsv]

thanks for the warm welcome. I bought 3 phals last year around thanksgiving and now i have 2 cymbidiums and 7 phals and im just hoping after all my research and hard work i can keep these plants alive and get them to rebloom! It is very addicting! But it is trial and error and I know ill get the hang of it thanks so much jeremy.

[jeremyinsf]

You are welcome! There are a lot of great people on this board, willing to help along the way. My addiction really took off this year and I now have over 200! But I love it, enjoy talking about it, and really like what I've learned and am able to share.

Always remember to relax and have fun with it too!

---------- Post added at 09:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 PM ----------

PS if you don't mind, add your Location to your profile - it helps everyone understand your conditions a bit better when asking questions. :-)

[jeffsv]

Will do Happy Holidays

[MattWoelfsen]

Hello jeffsv, as jeremyinsf advised you very well, I could only add my personal experience with this particular brand. I have used this product for a couple of years. However a year ago I was looking at my Phalenopsis and noticed they were barely surviving--lackluster leaves, weak roots, and no flower spikes. I un-potted one of my plants and discovered dried up and many dead roots.

Googled and came to this board, and found the advice against using this product. What are the alternatives? BetterGro--endorsed by the American Orchid Society. It is a couple of dollars more expensive but worth it. I immediately repotted all of my sickly looking plants in this media. A year later, now, those same plants are very healthy and are in spike. An even better alternative are the bark mixes designed for Phalaenopsis from Kelly's Corner Orchids, or Repotme.

Over the past year, again, thanks to this board, my collection of plants, and the variety of plants has increased. I am even growing Masdevallia! Welcome to the board, it seems like you are well on your way to a hose filled with orchids!

[jeffsv]

My house is filling up quite quickly is there an orchids anonymous lol. Im heading to Home Depot to pick up some rose bushes so ill be sure to check out better grow. Im bummed I already repotted my 4 phals after hearing there is a better product and of course I want the best for my plants. Should I wait to repot before putting them through it again so soon?