When it comes to fertilizing orchids , it ’s important to understand that orchid fertiliser is not exactly the same as regular fertilizer . Orchids have specific nutritionary needs that differ from other plants , so using a specialized orchid fertilizer can help provide them with the nutrients they require for healthy increment and blooming .
Orchids are epiphytic flora , meaning they maturate on other plant or trees in their natural home ground . These unequalled growing conditions have influenced their nutritionary requirements . Orchids typically require a fertiliser that is specifically formulated for their motivation , as steady fertilizers may not put up the indispensable nutrient in the right residual .
Orchid fertilizer are typically gamy in nitrogen , which advertise salubrious leaf growth , as well as phosphorus and K , which are essential for flower and overall plant wellness . These plant food often turn back additional trace constituent that orchids need , such as atomic number 26 , atomic number 12 , and atomic number 20 .
Using regular fertilizer meant for other plant may not supply the necessary nutrient in the right proportion for orchidaceous plant . Regular fertilizer may also contain high degree of sure nutrients , such as Lucifer , which can be prejudicious to orchid if over - apply . orchid are raw to excessive fertilizer salts , so using a fertilizer that is too strong or apply it too frequently can lead to fertiliser burn and root damage .
That being enunciate , if you are timid about what orchid fertiliser to use or if you do n’t have accession to specialized orchidaceous plant fertilizers , you’re able to use a general - role fertiliser that is low in concentration . search for a balanced fertilizer , such as a 10 - 10 - 10 or 20 - 20 - 20 formulation , which provides equal amounts of nitrogen , phosphorus , and potassium . These fertilizers can be diluted to one-half or one-fourth strength and applied to orchidaceous plant every few weeks during the mature season .
It ’s significant to remember that orchid are sensitive to fertilizer , so it ’s better to mistake on the side of caution and provide too little rather than too much . If you notice any foretoken of fertiliser burn , such as yellowing or browning of leaves , or if your orchid is not thriving despite veritable fertilization , it ’s best to adjust your fertilizer regimen .
In my personal experience , I have found that using a specialized orchid fertilizer has yield better results compared to using regular plant food . My orchidaceous plant have shown improved growth and more prolific blooming when I have used a plant food specifically devise for their needs . However , in post where I did n’t have access to orchid plant food , diluting a general - intention fertilizer and put on it meagerly has also worked well for maintaining the health of my orchid .
To summarize , while orchid fertilizer is not the same as regular fertiliser , using a general - purpose fertilizer at a lower concentration can be an satisfactory option if you do n’t have access to specialized orchid fertilizers . However , it ’s authoritative to be mindful of the nutrient requirements of orchids and avoid over - fertilizing , as orchids can be sensitive to excessive plant food salt .
Caroline Bates
