Fertilizing questions??

[Phlicker13]

So I have 3 orchids I keep at work- an unknown, mature dendrobium; a dracula radiela and paph pinnochio. These are my first orchids, and the dracula and the paph were new about a year ago- for the last year, I've let these grow with no fertilizer, just to really get an idea of placement at my office for light and watering routine. They've both done very well and have created plenty of new growth, but of course no blooms- I'm ready to start them in blooming, and wondering how I should step them with fertilizer. I have a 19-31-17 grow mix and a 6-30-30 bloom mix, and I'm worried if I start them right up on the bloom mix it will shock them... Also, I plan to start off the fertilizer lightly by mixing it with water in my spray bottle and wetting the top of their bark every few days with it. Does that sound alright for starters?? Any help would be appreciated- thanks everyone!!!

[norris]

Hi Phlicker13, If you mix either one 1/4 to 1/2 strength, that should not shock them, it 's probably best to water with plain water, then water with the fertilizer mix a few minutes later. Good luck getting them to bloom. Since they are at your work, you might want to make sure they have enough light to bloom.

[11Orchid126]

Increasing the fertilizer may not bring you blooms. Increasing the light will.

If you do spray the leaves, spray the undersides as that's where they absorb the nutrients.

[PhalPal]

There are professional growers that use no fertilizer at all and have no problem blooming their orchids. My first suspicion would be not enough light, especially if you are getting good growth minus flowers. You also have quite an assortment of plants. Paphs require very little light (in intensity) so it's possible it is not getting enough light (in duration).

More info on your growing conditions i.e. which direction does your light source face? will be very helpful in giving you beneficial information.

And Welcome to the forum!!!

[jerrymeola]

I would increase the light.

A 40 watt florescent bulb only puts out 2-400 foot candles and that only if it is with 12 inches of the leaves. The light drops off exponentially from that point. I measured an office light and bearly got 100 foot candles. You Paph needs 1000-1500 and the Den 3000 in order to flower. The light is even less if behind an office diffuser.

Offices are the terror of orchids. Flower the plant somewhere else and bring it to the office in flower. It can survive an office but rarely bloom.

I never like high phosphorus fertilizers. Use a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 or 13-13-13

[Hummer344]

Lets not forget a temperature change. since they are in an office setting there probably not enough day/night temp change to initiate spiking.

[Phlicker13]

Thanks for all the suggestions- My office is in a 110 year old building, with no air conditioning system and a poorly-working heating system, so the day to night temparatures definately fluctuate. My office is facing South, and is mostly glass in that direction. It gets pretty direct light for about 8 hours every day. Currently, they're on my desk in the middle of the building; I'll try moving them towards the window more and see if that helps. Thanks~