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Essential Things To Know When Purchasing Orchid Fertilizer

Category: gardening | Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:02 pm




Simon John Adams ( photo / image / picture from simonadams's Garden )

Orchids, like any other plant, require the suitable nutrients to grow and stay healthy; however, they need a special type of fertilizer as well as the right amount to thrive in your home. To maintain your orchid's vibrant health, it's important to use the desirable type of orchid fertilizer, which is different from other fertilizers, along with the proper amount.

Consider these crucial tips before feeding your orchid fertilizer:

Check the label of a commercial orchid fertilizer that displays the main ingredients with three numbers: 30-20-10. These numbers represent proportions of the major nutrients including Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium that your orchid needs to maintain its health. You may want to experiment with the different ratios; however, it would be wise to contact your local nursery for information on the specific type of orchid fertilizer you should be using.

Understanding the requirements of orchids and how they thrive in their instinctual environment will help you to understand how orchids prefer to be fed. Orchids are perhaps the most versatile flower in the world where some species live in Arctic regions of the far North and other species live in tropical regions around the world. As a result, orchids are perpetually seeking nutrients which often come in small but very strong quantities. Feeding excessive amounts of fertilizer to an orchid is not characteristic of how it obtains its food in the wild. Excessively feeding your orchid can burn its roots, and or retard its flowering.

In addition to the amount of fertilizer, you must also consider how orchid fertilizer should be administered. In the wild, orchids acquire all their nutritional needs through rain water they absorb. Rain water becomes saturated with pure material from rotting vegetation including leaves, bark, and other plants that orchids thrive on. The water drains down into the roots of the orchid where the nutrients are absorbed. Consequently, fertilizer should be mixed with the water and when you water your orchid, you'll be fertilizing and watering at the same time.

The best time to fertilize is while the orchid is in its growth state just before the orchid flowers. You don't have to fertilize once your orchid is in full bloom.

The nutritional needs of orchids are different from common house plants; consequently, you should avoid using common plant food.

To be consistent every time, measure the amount of fertilizer you feed your orchid. Contact your local nursery to get information on what mix to use as well as how much to use.

The nutritional needs of orchids are different from other plants, but considering, orchids are different from other plants. Fertilizing your orchid is a crucial part of caring for orchids, and should be taken seriously. Use orchid fertilizer as it's intended, and follow these fertilizing tips to help keep that lovely plant of yours vibrant and beautiful.



Last edited: Sat Oct 30, 2010 5:44 am

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