fertilizers - winter into spring?

[1kathleen]

I have been told to use light (once a month) liquid fertilizer in winter months and beginnin in March use a granular times release fertilizer on everything except the dendrobiums. I have around 200 orchids - all types - where do I purchase this fertilizer??how do I use it??..thanks so much from one who lives literally on an island.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I do not like time release fertilizers for general use. A few of the heavy feeders may benefit from an extra dose using it, but it is too easy to give orchids too much fetilizer using time release. Osmocote has a very uneven release, and you would need a TDS meter to make sure the amount being released is correct, and to find out when it has been depleted. Nutricote has a better reputation for a more even release, but I would still want to measure the runoff to see what is happening with the rate of release. With a liquid fertilizer, you always know what your plant is getting. There is no magic to time-release, it is just one of those short cuts to save labor, but one that can back-fire. If you want to save labor in a greenhouse, get a siphon (like Siphonex), and apply fertilizer that way.

just me but i don't fertilize mine unless they are showing active growth, mine are grown in the house.

[1kathleen]

Thanks for the info Cynthia - the timed release was for the catts but I will continue to use only liquids when in growth phase now - just love those blooms...

[jerrymeola]

Balanced liquid fertilizer diluted 1/2 teaspoon per gallon used when watering about once a month in winter and weekly in summer will do fine.

Time release fertilizer is OK for Cattleya but avoid Osmacote with is temperature released. Try Nutracote (Dynamite) which is water released.