Fertilizer for phal and den

[jimsocal]

I did a search but did not see where the fertilizer info is.
I have some Schultz Plant Food Plus (10-15-10) for "all indoor and outdoor plants".

Is this okay for orchids?
It's 10% nitrogen:
1.6% ammoniacal nitrogen
0.2% nitrate nitrogen
8.2% urea nitrogen
Then it has 15% phosphate and 10% potash.

My den seems to have slowed in growing its new leaves/stalk, and I'm thinking it probably needs food, I already increased its exposure to sunlight. I've never given it any fertilizer, just water. But it seems to be very healthy.

If the above fertilizer is not suitable, can you give me a name of a common one that is suitable?

Also, can I use the same fertilizer for my den and my phal?
Thanks.
This is the den in question:

[Sharyn]

Jim: Here's a link with good info. I had similar questions.
Confusion over fertizilers

[pikevi]

Hi,

I use Shultz's orchid fertilizer too. But it is 19:31:17-N,P,K resp. But I also use plantprod's 25:10:10 every third watering. I soak the pots in water every second week but water them weekly,every saturday or sunday.

Additionally I lightly spray water everyday to moisten the medium and once , in the middle of the week I spray fertilzer, again very lightly.

I adopted this system long before I joined this forum. I may change it as I gather more information from here.

Thanks for the link, Sharyn.

[jimsocal]

Originally Posted by Sharyn

Jim: Here's a link with good info. I had similar questions.
Confusion over fertizilers

Thanks to the link, and thanks to the other poster for the info as well!

[jimsocal]

Originally Posted by jimsocal

Thanks to the link, and thanks to the other poster for the info as well!

I did not see anything in the thread about dendrobiums. Are they fertilized the same as phals?

For now, it seems to me, the 10-15-10 Schultz's that I have will be better than nothing, until I can get something more like 20-20-20?

Also, how do I know when my den is going to bloom? Right now it still looks like the photo I placed in this thread. No sign of a flower yet and the growth of the leaves has slowed down a bit lately.

[Sharyn]

jimsocal: You need to update your profile to show where you live. Then others can give you the right info for your environment. Personally, I use the same fertilizer for all my orchids, however, I've kept my dens. pretty dry for the past couple months.

The 10-15-10 will be okay year round for the dendrobiums, as they don't like a lot of nitrogen. It will also be good for the phals to encourage bloom. However, when the phals are growing at their best, during that time you might want to give them a bit more nitrogen. Also, you might want to check the formula to see if the fertilizer has any magnesium in it. If not, you might consider adding a teaspoon of epsom salts to a gallon of your fertilizer water once a month. I do this, even though my fertilizer has magnesium in it. The plants also need calcium, but you're probably getting that from your tap water.

[jimsocal]

Originally Posted by orchid126

The 10-15-10 will be okay year round for the dendrobiums, as they don't like a lot of nitrogen. It will also be good for the phals to encourage bloom. However, when the phals are growing at their best, during that time you might want to give them a bit more nitrogen. Also, you might want to check the formula to see if the fertilizer has any magnesium in it. If not, you might consider adding a teaspoon of epsom salts to a gallon of your fertilizer water once a month. I do this, even though my fertilizer has magnesium in it. The plants also need calcium, but you're probably getting that from your tap water.

Thanks much for the info re fertilizer for my dendrobium!
As to the other post, I have updated my profile. Thanks for the tip.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Your fert is OK at 1/4 strength. I would not us a high nitrogen fert for Dens. While your Den is growing (and blooming), you should water very well. I would use a twist tie to pull that new growth upright. It makes for a more appealing plant. Expect the Den to bloom in the fall or winter, when the new growth is mature, but it may bloom from the older cane, or maybe from both.