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Fertilizer
mainly comes down to 2 questions.
-
"What kind of fertilizer should I use?"
- "How often should I use it?"
"What
kind of fertilizer should I use?"
In
general, a good all-purpose "balanced" fertilizer
is sufficient for good plant growth. What does
"balanced" mean? A balanced fertilizer
is described as having equal concentrations of N-P-K
(nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium). This
is indicated on the label by the numbers 10-10-10, 14-14-14,
or some similar combination. For improved flowering,
you should switch to a blooming fertilizer, high in
phosphorous (P) when your orchid plants begin to bud.
(Blooming fertilizer will have a high middle number
(P), such as 10-40-10 or a similar combination). For
more information on N-P-K,
see the section on below.
Fertilizer
comes in many forms from liquid fertilizer that you
have to to dilute to time-released pellets that fertilize
when you water. Liquid fertilizer provides more
control in feeding, however, time-released pellets are
the easiest.
"How
often should I use it?"
Fertilizing
performs best when done in small amounts often. Because
there are so many kinds of fertilizer, it is difficult
to recommend how much fertilizer and how often. It
is best to follow the instructions provided with the
fertilizer. Keeping that in mind, a liquid fertilizer
generally is given in weak solutions every 2 to 4 weeks.
Time-released pellet fertilizer, the easiest method,
is typically 1/2 teaspoon every 3 months. Be strongly
careful that you don't overfertilize.
If you plan to use blooming
fertilizer, you should alternate between balanced and
blooming fertilizers based on the flowering cycle. For
example, you should switch between fertilizers every
6 months for orchid plants that bloom 1 time per year.
For plants that bloom twice a year, you should
switch every 3 months. "When do I start counting?"
You should start the balanced (growth) fertilizer
after the plant finishes blooming. Blooming fertilizer
should not be used until there is sufficient new growth.
N-P-K
"The
3 primary plant nutrients and what they do."
Nitrogen (N)
- Gives dark green color to leaves
- Promotes rapid growth of plants
- Improves quality and quantity of leaves
- Increase protein content of food crops
- May repress flowering and fruiting
if Nitrogen supply is excessive
Phosphorous (P)
- Simulates early root formation and growth
- Gives rapid and vigorous growth to plants
- Hastens maturity of plants
- Stimulates seed germination, flowering, and fruiting
- Gives winter hardiness to plants here in Hawaii
Potash (K) - "Potassium"
- Imparts disease resistance and increased vigor to plants
- Aids in protein production in plants
- Stiffens stalk part of plants
- Provides for the formation and translocation of starches,
sugars, and oils
- Improves quality of fruit
- Aids in formation of color to leaves and fruits
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