| Some people will have you believe that orchids are | | | | also a good idea in the spring, before the first |
| hard to care for, and in some cases, that's true. The | | | | blooms, to provide some extra nutrients to get them |
| old saying 'feed weakly, weekly' comes to mind | | | | started. |
| when dealing with these unique flowers, but what do | | | | Great care should be taken when fertilizing since |
| you feed? Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and | | | | orchids are such sensitive plants. You will risk fertilizer |
| potassium (K) are vital ingredients for orchids, just | | | | burn if you over do it. Fertilize your plants once a |
| like any other plant. The air and growing medium will | | | | week, with the first one of every month at full |
| provide some of this, but most orchids are pot | | | | strength. Then, for the next three weeks, dilute the |
| grown, and will need supplemented. This is even | | | | mixture to one quarter of that. It's also a good idea |
| more important for orchids since, instead of soil, they | | | | to rinse out any unwanted salt residue with water |
| are planted in bark, rocks or sand. | | | | once a month. |
| Pellets, liquid and mulch are just a few forms that | | | | The elements in the fertilizer will react with the |
| these supplements come in. Whichever type you | | | | elements already present in the soil to create salts. |
| choose, your objective is to maintain the proper | | | | These salts will prevent water absorption, and cause |
| balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. | | | | other harmful biochemical reactions as well. It should |
| Fertilizers and soil treatments will usually be labeled | | | | not be much of a problem in small amounts, but |
| 30-10-10 or 15-5-5 and sometimes 20-20-20. These | | | | letting it get out of hand will harm your plants. |
| numbers indicate the percentages of the three | | | | If the label on your fertilizer lists something called |
| elements that we discussed earlier. Do not be | | | | 'potash', this is merely another name for the element |
| alarmed that the numbers don't add up to 100%. The | | | | called potassium. |
| remaining percentage consists of whatever else the | | | | Since it dissolves well in water, potash will usually |
| compound is made up of. | | | | need to be provided often and in different forms. |
| Some will allow orchids to grow on the bark of their | | | | Liquid potash comes in a convenient spray that can |
| trees, which is similar to how some (epiphytes) are | | | | be used on the leaves or directly on the soil. |
| found in the wild. These types will respond well to | | | | If you're not sure of how much fertilizer is |
| the stronger mixture (30-10-10). A medium mixture | | | | necessary, remember that you will do more damage |
| (20-20-20) is sufficient for those that are grown in | | | | by applying too much than too little. Start with a |
| pots. These levels may need to be adjusted at | | | | small amount and adjust it up from there. Usually |
| different times of year. | | | | your fertilizer will come with easy to follow directions |
| Try using a 10-30-20 mixture at the end of Summer | | | | that should help you get the mixture just right. |
| to strengthen those last blooms of the season. It's | | | | |
