TO FERTILIZE OR NOT?!
 

one the AOS care sheets when i was reading about fertilizing it said fertilize when in active growth. so if your orchid isnt in active growth does that mean dont fertilize it? also, what if your roots dont look like they're in active growth but your orchid is actively growing new leaves and/or what looks like a new spike (i think its a spike because it looks nothing like a new root) does this mean it is in active growth???

Active growth is usually in the warmer months....in winter most orchids are at rest.
But some orchids do not need rest so fertilizer and water must stay constant year round.
It depends on what kind of orchid you have.

mostly phals, but im helping someone with what looks like either an oncidium or a cymbidium. i was just asking cause the care sheets say fertilize when in active growth. is a phal technically in active growth if its growing new leaves and a new spike but the roots arent in active growth?

If you have root, leaf, or a new growth growing, fertilize. I usually start fertilizing before I expect growth to begin. Many orchids have growing seasons. Again, on repotme's fabulous site, you can look up your orchids and discover when these growing seasons are. Good luck!

some growers dont even bother with fertilizers....but in nature these orchids get fertilizers from bird dropping or from decaying leaves ....
I give fertilizer to my plants to feed them....I feel water is just not enough.
trust your instincts....its your growing zone and your environment....observe your plant well and you will know what their needs are.
but when it says it needs rest period: you have to lessen water and fertilizer or the plant will not bloom....it will just produce keikis

Active growth is anything growing. Leaves, roots, new leads, and spikes. Many orchids like Phals usually grow all year long but some orchids have a rest period. Like others said watch your plants and if they seem like they are not growing you can cut back or stop fertilizing.

All my orchids - with just a very few exceptions - get fertilized all year. The exceptions are plants that take a true winter rest: some Den species (and hybrids of those species). Some that like to be a bit dry and just a little fertilizer, such as Neofinetia. My Cyms get little fertilizer in winter, as they are often getting watered by rain - tho they get a bit now and again - they don't need much in winter - but are usually growing spikes at that time. My Oncidiums and Phals get fert year 'round.
Most of my orchids seem to be growing in some way most of the time - whether it be root growth, new foliage or pbulbs, spikes. Some do have a short break after blooming before new growth starts - but even those, once the plants have more growths, usually have something growing on them at any given time.

thanks so much for the tips! :)

I pretty much do the same as Sonya :)

I also fertilise all year round VERY weakly, weekly.....which means at a much lower dose than recommended. I also use plain water at least 1x per month to flush any remaining fertiliser salts.
For any outdoor orchids, I am trying out Osmocote. Seems to be working really well....