Which type of fertilizer when in bloom vs. when not?

[Soonix]

Does the same apply when the plant is in sheet/ spike? Do you keep fertilizing or stop the feeding?

Thx

[camille1585]

I use the same fertilizer at the same dose year round regardless of whether they are in spike or not. I use an almost balanced fertilizer (5-6-6 since I can't find anything balanced!) at 125ppm N at every watering. It seems to work for me, since I have several orchids in spike at the moment. I don't use bloom booster since I just don't have the time to give 2 different ferts each watering depending on what plant needs what.
This subject has been discussed a few times here on OB, and I know that several people do the same thing with whatever fertilizer they are using.

[Cewal]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I use the same fertilizer at the same dose year round regardless of whether they are in spike or not. I use an almost balanced fertilizer (5-6-6 since I can't find anything balanced!) at 125ppm N at every watering. It seems to work for me, since I have several orchids in spike at the moment. I don't use bloom booster since I just don't have the time to give 2 different ferts each watering depending on what plant needs what.
This subject has been discussed a few times here on OB, and I know that several people do the same thing with whatever fertilizer they are using.

What does '125ppm N' mean? (Hope I don't sound TOO stupid.)

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I use the same fertilizer at the same dose year round regardless of whether they are in spike or not. I use an almost balanced fertilizer (5-6-6 since I can't find anything balanced!) at 125ppm N at every watering. It seems to work for me, since I have several orchids in spike at the moment.

I'm glad Minda quoted this, because I just asked the question on another thread about whether 125ppm is a good strength for flowering.

On this thread here Ray said that bloom bosters do not boost blooms, but rather growth formulas with high N can actually inhibit blooming, so switching to a lower N formula then allows then to flower. (Hope I got that right, see the link for what he actually said.)

I had asked the question about whether Ray's recomended 125ppm N was too strong for blooming. I've been working on 125ppm N all this year and have not noticed a problem as many of my Phals and my Dens have spiked.

Good to know someone else is also finding this a good year round strenth.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Soonix

Does the same apply when the plant is in sheet/ spike? Do you keep fertilizing or stop the feeding?

Chumy,

There was time when I diligently changed my types of fertilizers as do the commercial growers, but as time has gone by, I have been able to accomplish the same results with balanced fertilizer all year long. I also have been able to get the same results using Dynamite, which is a higher nitrogen component fertilizer, from spring repotting to winter. During the cold, cloudy, rainy, winter months here in Northern California, I tend not to fertilize at all until a warmer, sunny day occurs in Jan-Feb. Then I will water with a 20-20-20 blend. When the weather warms and we see more sun, I again start with the slow release Dynamite granules. Actually the withholding of Nitrogen often has the same results as using a fertilizer with low nitrogen and higher phosphorus and potassium, hence stopping fertilizing altogether in the fall.

Most orchids, with the exception of the ones that go dormant in the cold months, grow all year long, either as growth when in bloom or in spike initiation when in growth mode. However, cooler weather will definitely slow the absorption of any fertilizer.

Hope this helps.