---
title: "I’m trying not to have to buy a special fertilizer for every freaking…"
description: "I’m trying not to have to buy a special fertilizer for every freaking houseplant I own. So I have two: a 5-1-1 fish emulsion fertilizer and a 0.5-1-0.5 African…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/Nos2O6vM7ugjuMh5TqRHIh"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "MattL"
published: "2026-01-19T23:46:23.467967Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/theOrchidOasis.jpg"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Orchid Oasis](https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ.md)

# I’m trying not to have to buy a special fertilizer for every freaking…

_Posted by MattL on 2026-01-19_

I’m trying not to have to buy a special fertilizer for every freaking houseplant I own. So I have two: a 5-1-1 fish emulsion fertilizer and a 0.5-1-0.5 African violet fertilizer. For the orchids, I kind of alternate between them, and dilute them both quite a bit. Any thoughts on this regime?

## 8 comments

### LaDonna commented on 2026-01-20

Fish emulsion is high nitrogen, so it’s going to cause plants to push foliage — often at the expense of their root system.  
Any flower fertilizer is going to be higher in phosphorus, which is also not ideal for roots unless the plant is already well-established.

You don’t need a different fertilizer for each type of plant. You need a fertilizer regimen that’s going to be primarily beneficial to your root system, and as a close second that will support the plant through each season.

If you want to simplify the system, using one low-strength, balanced fertilizer (like a 5-5-5 or 10-10-10 or 1-1-1) consistently (plus good watering and flushing habits) will do more for orchids than switching between fertilizers.

#### Amy replied on 2026-01-20

Does a balanced fertilizer provide enough nutrients like calcium

#### LaDonna replied on 2026-01-20

Technically no fertilizer guarantees calcium because they are specifically focused on providing macronutrients Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (N,P,K). Calcium is sort of a micronutrient but it’s constantly needed and not used up quickly. Depending on where you live, a lot of tap water has calcium in it and people are giving it to their plants every time they water. If you’re not sure about your water, you can give a cal-mag supplement every so often.

#### Lynda replied on 2026-01-21

What specifically does Cal-mag do for plants? Any info would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

#### LaDonna replied on 2026-01-21

Calcium is important for root tips, cell structure, and water uptake, magnesium is part of chlorophyll so helps with photosynthesis.

Plants need both in small but steady amounts; however, too much can be detrimental and cause nutrient lockout— ie the plant struggles to take up nutrients and water.

#### Lynda replied on 2026-01-21

I do use Cal-mag, but I’ve never really understood why it was so beneficial. So TXS for your insightful comment!

_1 more reply in the app_

### Michelle’s Hobby commented on 2026-01-22

I use Growth Technology’s complete on all my plants. Can be used on soil and semi hydro. I get great results!

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_