Please teach me how to feed my orchid

[dunpal]

My P.Little Emperor has just sprouted its 3rd bloom I know how to keep it watered but this is my third year having it and I have never fed or repotted it.How do i feed it? Does anyone know how long these plants can live? This plant means a lot to me b/c it was given to my g/f (at the time) and she has since passed. Thanks for any help

[mayres]

I'm assuming this is a phalaenopsis? If so, you can water every other time with standard orchid fertilizer or better yet, dilute to 1/4-1/2 strength and water every time with solution. You can get small containers for under $5 at most garden centers or big box stores. It might be about time to repot once it gets done blooming - what is is planted in? If bark, once the media gets spongy and begins to absorb and retain too much water it is time to replace - it generally breaks down in approximately that time frame. As to how long it can live - potentially forever! Be sure and flush plenty of water through your media every few months to wash out any buildup of excess minerals once you begin fertilizing. Enjoy! mike

[jerrymeola]

Let me add that the fertilizer you use can be any brand, but the proportions should be balanced 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 or similar.

[prisana]

My 20-20-20 is out and I can't find it anymore around here, can I use 10-10-10, twice the strength? I will have to order it online or something but for now this is all I have, it should work the same shouldn't it ? I just want to be sure before I go ahead with it and end up slaughtering my orchids in cold blood. :-0

[Aniko]

10/10/10 or 20/20/20 is the same thing, it means that the 3 main components: Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potassium are present in the same proportion: 30%, 30%, 30%. So the strength should be the same.
Aniko.

[prisana]

That's good to know, thanks Aniko. I just never thought of it until I ran out of the other kind.... then it just seems to make sense..you get crafty when you're desperate, I guess. My brain needs some exercise.

[Aniko]

I'm glad if I could help a little bit, I'm just an other beginner and in need of help so many times!
Aniko.