Why should we use orchid fertilizer?
Orchids are among the most beautiful indoor plants. To keep them healthy, we must be guided by their specific nutritional needs. In nature, orchids grow as epiphytes – plants that attach to other plants or objects.
Special care is required when growing orchids at home, as the most common orchid substrates commonly used at home (such as tree bark or moss) do not provide enough nutrients. This means that regularly fertilizing your orchid with the right type of fertilizer is absolutely necessary to keep it healthy and blooming.
What role does fertilization play in the health of our orchids?
Fertilization plays an essential role in enjoying healthy orchids. Orchid roots are very different from those of typical houseplants. They are covered with a special layer called velamen, which absorbs moisture and nutrients from the environment. In an artificial environment, they cannot get all the necessary nutrients from the air or the substrate alone, even if it is a special substrate for orchids.
Regular feeding of orchids with a fertilizer developed especially for them supports the growth of leaves, roots and flower stalks. A well worded oneorchid fertilizercontains the right proportions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), as well as trace elements such as magnesium, calcium and iron.
Each of these elements plays an important role:
- Nitrogen (N):Stimulates the growth of new leaves and stems. A lack of nitrogen can lead to stunted growth and yellowing of leaves.
- Phosphorus (P):It supports root development and is responsible for stimulating flowering.
- Potassium (K):Improves the general resilience of orchids, making them stronger and less susceptible to stress and disease.
Fertilization not only supports the growth and health of orchids, but also contributes to longer and more abundant blooms. Without enough nutrients, orchids may stop blooming or develop weak and small flowers. It is precisely for this reason that it is necessary to regularly fertilize your orchids with the correct fertilizer.
Common Orchid Nutrient Deficiencies
Orchids are sensitive to nutrient deficiencies because their substrate does not provide constant nourishment. The most common deficiencies in orchids are related to the lack of nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium. Each deficiency has specific symptoms that can be observed both on the leaves and on the general condition of the plant.
Orchid nitrogen deficiency (N):
Nitrogen is a key element for leaf and stem growth. Its absence is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Yellowing Orchid Leaves – Orchid leaves are starting to turn yellow, especially the older leaves at the bottom of the plant.
- New leaves are smaller and light green.
- Root and stem growth slows down.
These symptoms mean that you are either not fertilizing your orchid enough, or you are using the wrong orchid fertilizer.
Phosphorus deficiency in orchids (P):
Phosphorus is essential for root development and flowering. Lack of phosphorus leads to the following problems:
- Underdeveloped orchid roots – The orchid has weak or insufficient root system growth.
- The peduncles are short and with few flowers.
To correct a phosphorus deficiency, a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content should be used, especially for an orchid in the flowering phase.
Potassium deficiency in orchids (K):
Potassium improves orchid resistance to stress and disease, as well as flower quality. The lack of potassium can manifest itself in the following way:
- Orchid Leaf Spots – Leaves begin to show brown or black spots on the edges.
- Orchid flowers fade or die prematurely.
- The plant is more susceptible to diseases.
To prevent potassium deficiency, use a fertilizer with sufficient potassium during the active growth and flowering season.
Benefits of using a specific orchid fertilizer
Many people are tempted to use an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer, but orchids have specific needs. If you want to have healthy orchids, you need to feed them with a fertilizer specially formulated for them. Using a specialized orchid fertilizer has several key benefits:
Optimal balance of macro- and microelements:The specific orchid fertilizer is formulated to provide the correct ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to support orchid growth, health and flowering.
Better absorption:Orchid root systems are very different and have specific needs. The specialized fertilizer for orchids contains easily digestible forms of nutrients that support their efficient absorption.
Preventing Deficiencies:Properly formulated fertilizer prevents nutrient deficiencies in orchids and ensures healthy and sustainable growth throughout the season. There is different orchid growth fertilizer, orchid bloom fertilizer and all-season fertilizer. It is important that they are applied correctly.
How to read orchid fertilizer product labels
When choosing an orchid fertilizer, pay attention to the macronutrient (NPK) ratio on the label. This will show you the concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the product. For example, a 1-1-1 ratio means that the fertilizer contains equal amounts of each element. Fertilizers with higher nitrogen are suitable for the growth phase, and those with more phosphorus and potassium - for the flowering phase.
Types of fertilizer for orchids
Fertilizer for orchids in the growth phase
Growing orchids need a higher relative nitrogen content to support the development of new leaves and roots. Product likeOrchid Focus Growby Growth Technologyis perfect for this stage. This fertilizer contains balanced macro- and micronutrients that stimulate healthy plant growth without unnecessary additives that could overload the orchid's roots.
Orchid Focus Grow also contains micronutrients such as magnesium, iron and calcium, which support nutrient absorption and prevent common orchid deficiencies. Regular application of this fertilizer will ensure that your orchid has strong roots and healthy leaves that will support flowering later.
How to use Orchid Focus Grow
Frequency of application:During the growth phase, apply the fertilizer with every second watering.
Dosage:Dilute 5 ml (one teaspoon) in 2 liters of water and water the orchid with this solution. For Cymbidium orchids (one of the most common in our country), the correct proportion is 20 ml per 2 liters of water.
Fertilizer for orchids in the flowering phase
For orchids in bloom, it's time to change the fertilizer. The plant needs more phosphorus and potassium to maintain the strength of the flower stalks and stimulate abundant flowering.Orchid Focus Bloomby Growth Technologyis specially formulated for this period and contains the right nutrients for orchids in bloom.
The potassium in this product helps the plant better cope with flowering stress, making the flowers more resistant and long-lasting. This fertilizer also contains trace elements that improve the overall condition of the plant so you can enjoy healthy orchids with abundant blooms.
How to use Orchid Focus Bloom
Frequency of application:Every second watering of the orchid, use a solution with Orchid Bloom.
Dosage:5 ml per 2 liters of water for all types of orchids except Cymbidium. With them, you need to dissolve 20 ml in 2 liters of water.
Universal orchid fertilizer for all phases
For those looking for an easier approach to orchid fertilization, products such asDrip FeedersandPour and Growfrom Growth Technology provide a convenient solution. These fertilizers are formulated to provide all the nutrients your orchid needs, eliminating the need to change products.
Drip Feeders:They provide a slow and even supply of nutrients over a long period of time (up to several weeks), which makes their use extremely easy. Simply place one ampoule in the orchid substrate and water your orchid as normal.
Pour and Grow:It is a ready-made solution that does not need to add water. You add the required amount (depending on whether you have a large orchid or a small orchid) after watering.
Orchid Myst:This product is best used as a compliment to other orchid fertilizers. It will supply nutrients and tone the leaves of your orchid. It will also repel pests.
Orchid Ultra:This product must be used in combination with one of the other "basic orchid fertilizers". It contains concentrated and purified organic plant extracts, and feeding it comes as close as possible to the "feeding" of the orchid in its natural environment.
Common problems with orchids related to fertilization
Improperly applying orchid fertilizer or using a fertilizer that is not suitable for orchids can result in an over-fertilized orchid, a nutrient imbalance, or an under-fertilized orchid.
Symptoms of overfertilizing an orchid
Over-fertilizing is a serious problem that can cause root burn and damage to the plant. Some of the symptoms of an overfed orchid include:
The leaves become soft and watery, often turning red at the edges.
The roots turn brown or black and look "cooked".
Leaves turn yellow and curl.
What to do:Immediately wash the orchid substrate with clean water to remove excess fertilizer. This can save the roots and prevent further damage.
Symptoms of Nutrient Imbalance in Orchids
Nutritional imbalance is usually caused by using the wrong orchid fertilizer. Symptoms include:
Uneven leaf growth (large, misshapen or small leaves).
Poor formation of peduncles, flowers and roots
What to do:Change the fertilizer according to the growth phase of the orchid and make sure you use a balanced product.
Symptoms of an insufficiently fertilized orchid
If the orchid is underfed, it does not receive enough nutrients and shows it with the following signs:
The leaves are pale green or yellow.
New leaves and roots grow very slowly.
The orchid does not form peduncles or the flowers are few and small.
What to do:Increase the frequency of fertilization and use a fertilizer with the appropriate nutrient ratio for the growth phase of your orchid.
We hope you found this information helpful. You can always write to us through the contact form if you have any questions.
Your favorite growshop,
Gardener
