Watering is not the only thing you’ll do when taking care of your orchids. If you don’t feed it you can be sure the orchids will bail on you. We are not merely talking about feeding this beautiful looking plant like you would a baby. Orchids thrive on fertilizers. You may have heard the saying that “nutritious food is good for the soul” It could not be more true when you are nursing a sick person.
A word of caution! Do not try the same trick when dealing with sick plants by feeding them mounts of fertilizer. They will struggle to feed optimally, especially when their roots have gone bad. Healthy orchids, on the other hand, will welcome top-quality fertilizers. This way, they will turn into the best version of themselves.
Now various opinions are going around concerning the best ways to feed orchids. We have taken the liberty of sharing the top seven tips on feeding your orchids. When you get it right to care for your orchid properly, it will pay you in kind by producing lovely, bountiful blooms.
Follow along as we delve into these.
Tip One - The Best Time to Fertilize Orchids
Generally, it’s best to fertilize orchids once a month. However, the experts suggest you feed them weekly by using weaker concentrations. Doing so is better for growth and the health of the orchid as opposed to making use of concentrated fertilizer.
Also, do not forget to water your orchids once a week while taking care not to overwater to prevent the roots from rotting. Your orchid should face either east or west.
While orchids might not die from too much fertilizer, the right amount given at the right time does wonders.
Tip Two - What to Look for When You Buy a Fertilizer Mix for Orchids
When you search online for the best fertilizers to feed your orchids, you may wonder what amount of micronutrients would be right for them. It all depends on the strength level you’re looking for. As a general rule, if you want only half the strength, then you should opt for 10-10-10. Experts recommend a fertilizer with a quarter strength ratio of 20-20-20.
Tip Three - Be Careful of Making Use of Fertilizers Exceeding 20 Percent Nitrogen
Some of the best orchid mixes include special media to promote good airflow and healthy drainage. Often multiple media that involve the use of Nitrogen are mixed to bring out the most desirable characteristic. A good rule of thumb is to make use of a mixture that does not go beyond 20 percent nitrogen.
The orchid will find it challenging to cope and the mixture will end up harming your plant.
Tip Four - The Best Lighting for Orchids
Orchids vary widely with regards to their light needs. Gaining an understanding of the right amount of light will serve the best interest of your orchid. Even orchids that usually thrive in a lot of light do not require the kind of light tomato plants would thrive on. This is why placing your orchid in a North facing or South Facing window might not be the best idea. Inadequate lighting would prevent orchids from blooming.
In cases where you lack sufficient lighting, you can always make use of HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lights or good quality fluorescent bulbs to serve as supplemental light.
Tip Five - Water Your Orchids Once a Month Without Using Fertilizer
One of the best ways to clear away any pollutants or fertilizer salt build-up is by giving your orchids water only once a month.
Tip Six - What to Look Out for When Potting Your Orchids
What we are talking about here would be the best orchid pots to use. Besides, these beautiful, exotic plants deserve some tender loving care and the right environment to thrive. The roots need enough room to breathe. So, we should be careful to make use of pots that will not smother their roots in any way.
It is best to choose clear pots so you may see when the roots are doing well or not.
Tip Seven - The Best Way to Care for Sick Orchids
One of the first signs of infection is bacteria growth. Once you notice fungus or bacterial infection, you should take immediate action and move the plant away from surrounding plants and spray it with a Physan mixture by adding 1 Tablespoon to 5 litres of water. Sprinkling the plant with a bit of cinnamon as it proves to be an effective fungicide and it is safe to use.
