Hi :) I try to understand the difference between all these many fertilizers and their ratios and I am completely lost… The higher the better… the lower the better… any specific number the better?! Amazon has so many options for orchids and it is difficult to choose one. Thank you for any recommendations:)
Fertilizers can be confusing when starting out. Hell, they can be confusing after years of houseplant growing. Balanced fertilizers, the three in equal proportions, are good for general care. The American Orchid Society recommends 20-20-20 that includes trace elements and contains no urea. That’s probably the best place to start. Bloom boosters, a higher middle number, provides more phosphorus for flower production. Some growers recommend using switching to one right before the plant begins producing a spike and discontinue use after the flowers open. Synthetics are nice because they are easy to use and fast acting, but can burn roots easily if you’re not paying attention. Organic is gentler so less likely to burn if used correctly, but may have an odor. In my opinion, unless you are trying to compete in shows, I wouldn’t sweat the numbers too much. I think the important thing is that you fertilize regularly. Many orchid growers like to fertilize weakly weekly. During active growth, I use fertilizer each time I water at 1/4 strength. Once a month I flush the pot with pure water to reduce salt buildup (this is especially important if you are using synthetic fertilizer). And I don’t fertilize when the plant is not in active growth. I tend to use the same fertilizer until it’s gone because I hate having to keep up with when to use such and such blend. I’ve had good success with Espoma Organic Orchid fertilizer (it seems to be gentler on the plant), Miracle Grow (balanced and super easy to find), and Repotme’s MSU fertilizer (good results but can be hard to get). I’ve also used Superthrive as a supplement with all three.
3 LikesThank you for your very comprehensive response:) Only to be completely sure - fertilizer 1-1-1 will be „the worst” if we speak about regular care, right?
1 Like Not necessarily “the worst” it’s just less concentrated. It’s less about good, better, best and more about what fits your care style. If that makes any sense
2 Likes