The correct way to fertilize orchids and what fertilizer to use (what is the best household fertilizer for growing orchids)

How to fertilize orchids grown on the balcony

1. Fertilization time

Fertilization of orchids is usually determined according to their different growth stages. Generally, in spring before flower bud differentiation, orchids grow fastest, so nitrogen fertilizer is more suitable.

In the stage of flower bud differentiation, phosphorus fertilizer is preferred. In autumn, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are preferred . In winter, orchids enter a dormant state, and well-rotted organic fertilizers can be applied as winter fertilizers. Half of the winter fertilizer can also be replaced with leaf mold to meet the storage of winter fertilizers.

2. Fertilizer concentration

Orchids do not require much fertilizer. Whether it is spring and summer fertilization or autumn and winter fertilization, whether it is liquid fertilizer or solid fertilizer, it is mainly based on thin fertilizer with appropriate proportions . This will avoid causing excessive growth of leaves and affecting flowering.

3. Fertilization frequency

Orchids are wild and can grow and bloom naturally in the leaf rot in the sparse forest. Therefore, if the pot soil is fertile and the base fertilizer has been applied, the frequency of fertilization does not need to be too frequent, at most once a week, and it must be a light fertilizer .

4. Fertilization method

There are two methods of fertilizing orchids: liquid fertilization and solid fertilization. But no matter which method is used, it is not advisable to apply concentrated fertilizer or frequent fertilizer, but mainly thin fertilizer, and the frequency should not be too frequent.

What fertilizer is good for orchids at home?

1. Organic Fertilizer

Many friends who grow orchids rarely use inorganic fertilizers. They just use more nutrient-rich planting materials when potting, or directly add a small amount of fully fermented and decomposed organic fertilizers into the planting materials. This can not only improve the pH of the soil, but also provide rich nutrients for the plants.

During the growth period of the plant, it is often supplemented with some nutrients, such as fermented sheep manure, rabbit manure, bean cake, etc., or fermented cake fertilizer water. Dilute it with water every half a month or so and pour it into the flowerpot to make the plant grow vigorously.

2. Inorganic Fertilizer

Inorganic fertilizers are cleaner and more hygienic to use, but the disadvantage is that poor control of the concentration of fertilizer and water can easily cause root burn.

It is best to use it alternately with organic fertilizers. The inorganic fertilizers commonly used for orchids are urea, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizers.

During the period of new leaf growth in spring, mainly nitrogen fertilizer should be applied. A small amount of urea or compound fertilizer with high nitrogen content can be diluted with clean water to supplement nutrition for the orchid.

Stop applying nitrogen fertilizer before the orchid blooms. Applying potassium dihydrogen phosphate 1 to 2 times can promote flower bud differentiation.

3. Slow-release fertilizer

Slow-release fertilizer is a commonly used fertilizer for orchids. It is easy to use and has a long-lasting effect. You do not need to fertilize it frequently, and it generally will not cause root burn.

To grow orchids with slow-release fertilizer, you can directly put the fertilizer on the edge of the potting soil. Later, after watering, the nutrients will be transported to the root system for the plant to absorb.

To increase the nutrients in the culture soil, you can also add a small amount of slow-release fertilizer to the planting material when potting, so that you don’t need to add fertilizer frequently in the later stage.