about fertilizers

[Aniko]

Last few posts had clarified to me a lot of questions about water, potting medium and others.But I have one more question concerning fertilizers.
I get to use an "orchid food" purely by chance (that was available in the Stop&Shop) which has the following formula: 19-31-17, and a recommendation to use only 1/4 tsp per gallon of water.
Now I know that is not the usually recommended "balanced" 20-20-20, but it worked very well for my Phals in this half a year.
Will be OK On long term use, too ? Or, maybe not...

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

That is really not that far from being balanced. The ratios can get a lot further off than that, tho if you are growing in bark, a little more nitrogen (first no.) might be a good idea. At any rate, I assume, then, that you've read the statement in other posts, that the only difference in orchid and non-orchid food is the instructions on the label. Use 1/2 to 1/4 as much of the non-orchid food for orchids. You know, orchids are generally slow growing and have a low need for fertilizer. It just isn't all that critical, and you might be surprised at how well they grow with no fertilizer. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[lizmo]

I've been wondering about fertilizer as well. The one I have for my other houseplants (but haven't yet used on my phal) is standard all purpose Miracle-Gro 24-8-16. I am growing in bark, so the nitrogen level might be good, but is it too 'unbalanced' to use on my phal? Could an unbalanced fertilizer hurt my plant or would it just not work as well as a balanced one? Until I can find a different fertilizer would unbalanced be better than non at all?

[jerrymeola]

any use of fertilizer will not harm a plant in the short run, but just like out eating foods if we are short essential vitamins we will have health problems so can our orchids.

The first two numbers are important for orchids . The first nitrogen is the main factor in plant leave growth. When we fertilize out grass we use almost pure nitrogen 38-3-3 because grass never flowers. The second number is the ingredient for flowering. 19-31-17 is a mild bloom boosting formula since it has a little less nitrogen. The third number is for root growth and increasing the amount does not seem to do much for orchids either way so any amount is OK

The only small problem you will have is that for plants grown in bark the decomposing bark uses nitrogen to decompose. A highly decomposing bark lowers the nitrogen available to your orchid possibly 10-31-17 or even 5-31-17.

The Miracle Grow 24-8-16 is lower in flowering and higher in leaf and root fertilizers. It would be especially good to push older plants during its growth period. Alternating between the two will add the amounts together divided by 2. 43-39-33/2 equals 21-20-17 a very balanced formula.

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of either in a gallon of water will do fine. You can also dissolve 1/2 the amount of each if you want a more balanced fertilizer.

I would use the Miracle grow when the plant is producing new leaves and go to more of the bloom formula in late fall before blooming season and more balanced at other times.

The advantage of a balanced amount I usually recommend on this forum is that you do not have to think of all these factors and the plant will do well with only one formulation.

[lizmo]

Jerry, that was very informative, I have a much better understanding of fertilizer now, thank you!

[Aniko]

Cynthia, Jerry, thank you so much!

[Tommy]

Hi,all have a question about fertilizer, i mostly use Miracle grow. would it be ok to use Fish emulsion fertilizer.and would there be any beneifits to do so. i also use some super thrive about once a month along with my regular fert.Thanks Tommy

Tommy, I think fish emulsion is good on houseplants but not on orchids. Being an animal product, I think it's too caustic for orchid roots. Liquid seaweed, on the other hand, is a vegetable product that orchids love. I would recommend the liquid seaweed. I use it once a month, year round.