Orchid plants require a specific fertilizer to support their unique blooms and foliage. An excellent all-purpose orchid fertilizer should offer a balance of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, with 15% calcium and 8% magnesium plus trace minerals. Orchid fertilizers help speed up the natural process of the orchid, induce chlorophyll production, stimulate leaf growth, and aid in existing conditions.
Espoma Orchid Liquid Plant Food is a top-end product that offers all the benefits of a top-end product at a fraction of the cost. However, it is essential to use specially-formulated feeds for orchids, as general-purpose fertilizers can be used with caution. Other options include crushed eggshells, rice boiling water, banana peel water, Epsom salt, fish emulsion, kelp extract, and molasses.
The concept of “orchid fertilizer” is a myth, as there is no such thing. It’s time for orchid growers to understand fertilizer better. If using a general fertilizer, it should be an all-purpose and balanced liquid feed with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Watering orchids once per week is recommended, but not every fourth watering. Fertilizing orchids every 2 weeks during peak growth (spring and summer) and once a month during dormancy (fall and winter) is generally advised.
Not all orchids respond well to bloom-booster fertilizer products, so consider skipping them. A high-quality, all-purpose fertilizer is the best way to ensure your orchid receives the necessary nutrients for its unique blooms and foliage.
📹 Stop Fertilizing Orchids Like This! Use These Other 4 Methods Instead
In this video, I’ve listed some options and the pros and cons of each fertilization method, the top consumer complaints, and …
How do I encourage my orchids to flower spikes?
To obtain a new orchid flower spike, place the plant in a lower room temperature (55-65°F) at night or in a window away from a heater. This method works best in winter when homes and windows aren’t as warm. Wait for a month for the spike to grow, which will look like a root with a knobby end called a “mitten”. Once it starts spiking, return the orchid to its normal growing location with a moderate room temperature of 65-75°F and bright, indirect light.
Support the spike with a stake and a loose tie once it reaches about 5″. If no new spikes are produced after a couple of months, try moving the orchid to a different location. Continue watering and fertilizing the orchid, but don’t move it around to avoid twisted flowers and an arching effect. The Phalaenopsis can usually grow a new flower spike or two annually.
What is the secret to keeping orchids alive?
Orchids require bright indirect lighting to thrive and rebloom, so they should be left alone. In the Plant PPL series, we interview people of color in the plant world. The Black Thumb, a superhero, discovered his power through tragedy, accident, and supreme effort. Terry Richardson and Chelsea Richardson, a physical therapist, and their wife, welcomed an orchid into their apartment but killed it due to ignorance and neglect.
Do coffee grounds help orchids?
Coffee grounds can provide nutrient benefits to orchids, but their consistency can hinder their drainage, potentially causing negative effects. Carefully and sparingly use coffee grounds on orchids, ensuring proper drainage. Other kitchen waste, such as orange and banana peels, can also be beneficial for plants. Stay updated with design ideas, celebrity homes, gardening advice, and shopping round-ups in your inbox.
What can I use to feed my orchid?
The NYBG Senior Curator of Orchids recommends using a balanced fertilizer like 20-20-20 in powder form to provide all the primary nutrients needed for flowering plants. These nutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), secondary nutrients, and trace nutrients. Nitrogen aids in vigorous growth and dark green color, while phosphorus promotes root development and flowering. Potassium is essential for overall hardiness and disease resistance.
Some orchid growers use high-nitrogen fertilizers like 30-10-10 to grow more leaves before switching to a balanced formula. However, it is important to remember to change over well before the spring bloom period for optimal results.
Can Miracle Gro plant food be used for orchids?
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Orchid Food represents an efficacious solution for the cultivation of acid-loving plants. It facilitates the development of deep, rich leaf color, beautiful blooms, and robust roots. The optimal application frequency is every two weeks during periods of active growth and four weeks during periods of rest.
Can I use all-purpose plant food on orchids?
To choose the right fertilizer for your orchid, consider the concentration of major nutrients and follow the label directions. Standard 20-20-20 fertilizers are generally safe at 1/4 strength and 10-10-10 fertilizers at 1/2 strength. Specialty orchid fertilizers, like “bloom-boosters”, may not be suitable for all orchids. Instead, use a high-quality, well-balanced fertilizer that is equally effective at producing blooms as a booster and benefits all plants, not just bloomers.
How often should I water orchids?
Watering your orchid every 7 to 11 days, especially when the mix is dry, is essential to prevent damage and prevent overwatering, which can lead to crown rot, root rot, and other infestations. Watering in the morning is recommended as nighttime watering can leave water sitting for a period. Additionally, consider the temperature of your house, as high thermostats may cause the orchid to grow in summer. Visit our shop to see beautiful phalaenopsis orchids grown in the south coast of England, and sign up for our newsletter to access our orchids at discounted prices when we have grown a few too many.
Can you use coffee grounds to fertilize orchids?
Coffee grounds are not a good source of nutrients for orchids due to their soil type. Terrestrial orchids can make the nutrients bioavailable to the plant, but adding coffee grounds to orchid potting mix can be detrimental to other orchid types. Coffee grounds break down through nitrifying bacteria within the soil, releasing natural plant fuels. However, epiphytic orchids are not planted in standard soil, and they have specific needs for potting medium. Therefore, adding coffee grounds to orchid potting mix can be detrimental to the plant’s health.
When should you not feed orchids?
The most prevalent methodology for fertilizing orchids is the application of a diluted solution of 1/2 to 1/4 strength on a weekly basis. In the fourth week, it is advisable to refrain from the use of fertilizer and to flush the potting media in order to eliminate any salt accumulation. This practice helps to maintain healthy growth and prevents the need for frequent watering.
What is the best plant food for orchids?
When shopping for orchid fertilizers, consider factors such as the nitrate to ammoniacal nitrogen ratio and ingredient ratios. A robust fertilizer with higher nitrates, like 13-3-15, can be applied twice monthly, better than applying a low-rate fertilizer every time you water. Alternating between fertilizer water and clear water can flush excess salts and prevent fertilizer burn. Liquid options like J R Peters Inc Jacks Classic Liquid Orchid Food 7-5-6 are the most thorough and effective form of fertilizer for phalaenopsis orchids. The Dyna-Gro ORC-008 7-8-6 Fertilizer is also recommended.
Feeding tips include applying fertilizer during the plant’s vegetative, non-flowering cycle, when it is producing new leaves, roots, and unopened buds. Fertilizer can fuel orchid health and encourage future blooming, but it is not responsible for initiating flower spikes. Most tropical orchid species are triggered to flower by a change in temperature, such as a five- to 10-degree temperature drop at night. To encourage orchid bloom, place it on a windowsill during the winter months.
Can you use indoor plant food spikes for orchids?
The orchid, which was exhibiting signs of stress, was provided with spikes as a fertilizer, which has since facilitated the growth of new branches and an abundance of blooms.
📹 the amazing secret of orchid fertilizer (Fast and Easy)
The amazing secret of orchid fertilizer (Fast and Easy) In this video we are talking about orchid fertilizer that is making orchids …
I love “Your addiction will catch on.” That is happening to me. I started with one, now I have 12. With the little bright space I have, I am now using the dresser in my son’s bedroom for my orchids. All of them have a lot of air roots and the majority are tilted meaning sideways. I want the leaves to be upright but it does not want to. I fertilized them once a month and water every 10 days 15 – 20 minutes. They are mostly in bark with a little sphagnum moss. The problem is the miniature ones blooms while the big ones do not. My orchids are all Phals. Thanks. By the way, I love your website and will start going have already put your website on my favorite.
I have 15 happy healthy phalaenopsis orchids and have had most of them for about 10 years. I have never repotted nor fertilized them. They seem to be okay with the neglect method I use. They all bloom at least once a year, most of them actually bloom multiple times a year. I am going to attempt to repot some and begin fertilizing them to see how much happier they can become.
If I may, You have given so much great information, with laughter included, I thought I would give you one. Another orchid grower who just got started in 2018, told me about another fertilization method that he didnt expect, and I wanted to share it with you. Indirectly, and without his knowledge at first, he found out his cat was ” also adding fertilizer ” to his orchid. If you get my meaning. He noticed his orchid was not doing well, so he watched out for possible signs of problems. His cat was using his prized orchid for her litter box. Enough said about that. He immediately emptied the pot, repotted and put up a barrier to keep out this voluntary fertilizing cat. LOL As you say.. ” Happy Cultivating ” But watch out for the cat.
Always make sure your orchids and any plants are well watered for hours (or over night) before using a very weak Miracle-Gro Orchid fertilizer which IS boosted with trace elements on the bark soil line until it runs through freely. I never have rot problems by not allowing water to get on the plant leaves, which keeps the water from settling where leaf joins the plant base. Use a straw to blow away that water. I use a fast drain, fir bark mix and check for pot dryness once a week as a rule. I also let the majority of the orchid fertilizer water drain in a catch basin by using a colander to hold the orchid pot on top of the basin. I use that drained water to fertilize other plants. My orchids are all ‘mini’ moths which are all fat, happy and repeat bloomers. Thanks for reviewing orchid fertilizer methods.
Hi Amanda. Tq for your infomative article. May I ask few Q: 1) Which part of orchid plant absorb the nutrient/fertilizer efficiently? This is to answer whether the root or the leaf playing major roll for the growth. Some orchid growers argue that the root function is to grip the medium so that it could hang steadily. 2) What make some orchid cane grow extremely huge (comercial growers) especially the hybrid one. Is there any special growth hormone used or special technic involved. 3) Beginners normally will fertilize their orchid with high dose or frequently in a hope that their lovely plant will grow faster and bloom really nice. But end up with same slow grow month after month. Or they get reward of unwanted keiki…er no flower. What to do…? Tq in advance Amanda!
I just love your articles I have learned so much. I live in Florida and my orchids are in wooden handing pots and the other on tables. I have ant infestation it hurts me because I want my baby’s to be healthy and I just watched your article on black spots on my plants. You explain everything to me that understand. Keep up your great work articles. God bless you. Thank you so much 😇🙏
I enjoyed and learned a lot. I’m fairly a new orchid parent. I’ve been getting them since my mother passed away 6 years ago. I’ve had several die as well. I’ve heard so many things of what to do to orchids, and I’m not sure what to believe, but you sound very promising in your information. I just recently tried the banana peel water and I’m praying that it doesn’t kill that orchid. He sounded very promising and knowledgeable too. So I just recently watered it with the banana water, and I’m waiting to see how well, or not it does. I’m going to the website to check it out. Thank you for the good, and knowledgeable information. I’ve had a few of those products and 1 of my daughter’s just gave me organic orchid bloom booster. The numbers were very low on it, 1-3-1. It sounds very low, but what do I know. I haven’t used it yet. Happy orchid’s!
Another great article. Thank you so much. I use the blue chrystlly miracle grow u showed, i tbsp/gallon every other week poured into a spray bottle is what i do. But its time i think to flush them with epsom salt i saw on one of your articles..n rethink my process after this..still learning so much. No roots on my baby keiki in moss but its still alive, the one still attached with no roots is sprouting a flower spike tho. So strange. Kisses to Midnight precious fur baby luvs you.
Hi, using the capsule method I find that once you cut the nozzle open then you can push it into the nominated pot. Making sure it comes out in a minuscule dribble it is feasible to swap it around a number of pots until it is empty. (****Note: don’t forget to spray the nozzle with peroxide before you transfer it each time.).
I moved to SW Florida because my orchid addiction was seated in my mind, and I needed it to blossom into physical reality. I’m a fan of bare root method for vandas. I have a huge pot that I use for root soaking, and it’s so easy. I use a mister to fertilize. So far, so good! The roots are thriving, growing quickly, and becoming thick and hearty. When they decide to bloom again, I will be the happiest orchid mom alive!
I have been killing orchids for years. I am perusal you, cuz, you know what you are doing. I do not. Decided this time, to do research. I am curious to try egg shells. I understand N P K, do I use the calcium from shells also? I will go get your guide, THANK YOU!! It probably answers this question, but, I am curious if you do both…Jeannie in Lakeport California
I love that mister bottle when it’s empty to miss my aerial roots on my orchids. I also missed the leaves. It gives a very fine mist that other misters can’t compare to. I’ve had my orchids for 3 years then have at one time close to 70 orchids but I’ve lost a few here of late. I started almost every day sometimes in the evening before I go to sleep two missed all the aerial roots and it seems as if it’s been causing an explosion in aerial root growth. I’m starting to mist the ones in my bay window in my living room to see if I can get the same thing to happen as the ones in my bedroom that are under LED lights. Some people say their Hoya plants grow faster when using this Orchid Mist fertilizer
I use the Repotme orchid fertilizer. It is the MSU version of orchid fertilizer and I have had great results with it. If I have any leftover I use it on my other plants. They have responded very well to it. The MSU fertilizer has all the micronutrients that the orchid needs. You can add epsom salt if you feel your plant needs it. Yes, they say 1 teaspoon per gallon but if you know grade school math you can divide that in half assuming that you have measuring spoons. It also comes in a liquid. It does not have to be a rocket scientist to grow orchids. Orchids need a different type of environment than most house plants but once you know the basics it is not difficult. Give them the correct medium, light, humidity, along with added nutrients and you have a happy flowering plant.
I am so glad I found your website! I have 3 lovely Orchids that bloom beautifully and I just took a baby off of the Orchid spike I bought my mom to start at my home. I ordered the misting fertilizer just today! Can I just give the bark a spritz before I put ice cubes in to water and fertilize at the same time? Will this work instead of spraying the orchid foliage?
I agree completely once the orcid addiction starts it’s so hard to stop I’ve had my aunts and offs with it trust me but this time it is full-blown I just got into the cattleya’s and I am so excited I have a shipment on its way hopefully today or tomorrow and I am already running out of space because of my last shipment I just got this past week so I’m like oh my God what am I going to do so I’m looking all around my room and my bathroom and I’m like let’s decorate the walls LOL might as well since they are on tree trunks and and what not might as well put up on the wall too and see what you got it looks beautiful I love the way my house looks
sigh GOT IT!! I must confess (with a shamed face), that I BOUGHT the mist, AND, the “M.G. Orchid Food” granules (which I must keep refrigerated or I would have a field day with our humidity). Remember, my orchids are not indoors, and sometimes do get sprayed/misted by our intermittent heavy rains (our drought is from around March for a couple months). Also, this time of year, we do get heavy dew fall. While I did dunk my orchids in the M.G. Orchid Food mix (the day before yesterday), I used the rest of the water on my other potted plants (mostly what Americans refer to as “house plants”) which are all outdoors (in various locations of sunlight, and sunless). I hope my weather type and geographical location will offer some sort of “buffer” to my orchid plants. As for the fertiliser spikes and other “pahlavah” fertilisers – I do not use them. However, I will take your advice and use my “M.G. mister” – as a “water mister” from now on. As for the “M.G. Orchid Food”, I did use more of the requested water, and see how it goes. Will update you. Since my orchid plants are “new” to me … one is spiking (2!!), and the others are sending out keikis. My original orchid (Den. Mini Yaya) had bloomed, and I have noticed is sending out new spikes/roots? too early to tell. Some I had rescued from the nursery are showing signs of coming back to life! They ALL have been given the M.G. Orchid Food bath – I shall see what happens. Thanks a lot for your timely article.
I’ve watched a few of ur vids… u r very good with ur explanations sn ur cat interruptions r hilarious & u cracking urself up is also hilarious… I have def learned a lot in the few vids including y it keeps trying to grow sideways. I don’t know how my orchid is alive & about 2 bloom perusal these vids lol
Help!! I bought two orchids about a month an a half and did not do enough research. I have been using the spray on my flowers, leaves (top & bottom), and around the top of the fertilizer. One bloom fell off and more are starting to turn. I am in desperate need of some advise on what to do to save them or is it possible to save them now. I have been using 1 to 2 ice cubes to water them and have them sitting on a flower stand in front of the window. I bought orchid flower spikes and the orchid liquid flower food. I’ve not used either yet bc I am confused on the directions a little. I don’t want them to die so if you could please help me.
THANKS FOR THE article. NICELY DONE.. HAVE U EVER MADE A article OF THE TYPES OF ORQUIDEA . I WAS GIVEN A SMALL ORQ. THAT HAS BLOOMED AT ONE POINT BECAUSE IT HAD TWO LONG STEAMS, WHICH I CUT TOO SHORT RIGHT DOWN TO THE SOIL TOP.. IM REPOTTING THIS ORQ. THAT IS OVER ROOTED.. IN TO A MEDIUM SIZE GLASS COFFEE POT.?????? i like the idea of glass because u could see in side the pot.. My two Q’s to u are;; . How to identify ORQ’s ? What’s the best MOSS ? … I bought a bag of SPHAGNUM MOSS thinking it would be green as i seen ever where I look. This one is super fine brown dust.. Its not right. thanks. Hoping to get a favorable response.
They updated the label on the miraclegro mister, and i stopped using it immediately. They have you misting urea nitrogen on leaves, where it will never get broken down into an absorbable form. Now I am using the bettergro one you’re holding and just heavily dilute it in a spray bottle. Also, when i began, i also realized the concentrations they suggested were way too high and saw my leaves get burned from the damage to the roots. Things are changing now though!
BEST orchid food is cucumber peel soak in 5 days and use on orhid by watering and leaving plants 10 min in at and 2 nd one is my favorite potato peel dried on sun and grinder into powder to be used every 15 days.We are plants so taking sintetic vitamin instead of REAL food is the best way to grow your plants.Thank you for your article but my comment is free food and happy plans.Good luck everyone….❤🎉
I use the mist-applied fertilizer. Don’t knock it. First, in your demonstration you sprayed too much on the leaves. Good thing Miracle Grow isn’t a sponsor. On watering day, I apply a mist all around the top of my medium. It works out to be about 4 light sprays. The watering then carries the fertilizer down to the roots and she is extremely happy. I only use spagham moss as that’s what she likes best.
Hi again Amanda. You mentioned a problem with the sticks I think it was that you can’t flush once a month. I have used some slow release balls and didn’t think about this. Miss Orchid Girl said she uses them because sometimes she forgets to fertilise. Does this mean it’s OK to use them and normal water fertiliser too or is this too much and should I now repot everything as I can’t flush? It is coming into a high growth season but am I going to burn the roots?
I have been wondering about the miracle grow orchid spray. I like to get dying plants from the store and I used miracle grow leaf shine on two of my orchids and they got some real nice leaves eventually. I don’t know what’s in it, but I ended up using it on my other two orchids just recently, and their leaves keep getting much better looking as well. I’m curious about those pellets too though. I’ve been nervous to try anything so thanks for this article.
I use distilled water as a base which has a neutral pH of 7 with no dissolved salts or other unknown elements and then various fertilizers, cal-mag, and Epson salts as additives in an open top watering can (about 1/2 gal. but not important because of next step), stir well and then use TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) probe to measure ppm (parts per million). Make sure to stir and check again that reading stays stable which tells you that whatever was added is actually all dissolved. I don’t really care what the reading is too much because I then will do a quick mental calculation to make the used solution become approximately 250-350 ppm. So, as an example, if I mix a solution that is 1200 ppm I know if I dilute what I have with more distilled water in a one to three ratio I will hit the mark of 250-350; I would take 250 ml of 1200ppm solution and add 750 ml of pure distilled water to get 1 L of 300ppm solution with the unused portion of the 1200 ppm mixture to be stored in an empty gallon jug for future use being diluted 1:3 again until used up. It does require a little math but it is fairly simple and the final diluted solution can be any amount as long as the mixture is 1:3 in this example; if I had gotten the initial solution to read 500 ppm then I would probably do a 1:1 ratio thinking that I could go a little light on the added pure distilled water to keep the mixed solution above 250. A gallon of distilled water is about $1.00 or less at any grocery store and the TDS probe is readily available on Ebay or Amazon for $15.
I think one is macronutrients and the other is micronutrients. Leaves can’t break down npk bc the molecules are too large to fit in the leaf cells. If you’re spraying npk on leaves it’s not going to do anything. If it does it’s from what drips off the leaves and goes into the soil. At least that’s what my understanding is from scientist
U are so sweet have 50 that I admit 2. This will be ur laugh of the day. I USE Diff gertalizers cal mag etc but the laugh use diff no. Also sent away 4 a liquid hormone have 2 be really careful with that for gradual fertilizer I use a glass stirer from an old cocktail set dip in water, then just the very tip Into a small ceramic 12 0z orchids don’t know they are getting a Manhattan without the alcohol People need 2 know what the numbers know. Would like 2 see all ur orchids
I have just recently bought my first orchid (two weeks ago). I live in South Africa and the recommendation was in summer one to two ice blocks per week in summer and one ice block in winter. Use fertilizer once every two weeks. The fertilizer instruction say 5ml per 1 litre of water so I figured why not make ice blocks out of the fertilizer water and once every two weeks give it one food fertilizer and one non fertilizer ice block that way you control the amount just mark the ice bag in your freezer. Oh about that addiction I’m planning on buying another one in next week
What does the actual ‘law’ say about your requirement to reveal that you either are or are not sponsored by a company to discuss their products. I’d like to know what the law says. I am doubting that it’s a ‘legal’ requirement. If it is found that it is not a legal requirement, I hope you remove that potential misleading statement at the beginning of your article. Truth is more important than all the actual laws. Whatever the case may be.
Thank you so much for for your instruction and help ❤️. I adore orchids however I am new to trying to get such helpful, healthy detailed information! I hope now to never not know the proper method for watering and growing beautiful plants that will continue to be rewarding me with lovely displays for a long time in the future!😊