Lets talk Fertilizer

[BURR]

I have two kinds of fertilizer,

Peters Professional
Hi-Nitro 30-10-10

Peters Professional
Blossom Booster
9-45-15

Has/does anyone use these on there orchids?

The box says it can be used every 7-14 days on orchids.

I use this on my roses and it works great. I may stop at the store where I bought these and see if they have anything just for orchids.

[shakkai]

I use (sparingly) orchid fertilizer bought at Kew Gardens. Especially now in winter when our day length is barely over 8 hours and temps are cool. I just don't think my plants could/would use higher levels of food supplied to them.

Nitrogen 2.6% (I emailed the supplier and they supplied me with the following Nitrogen analysis of the powder form which they use to make up the liquid fertiliser they sell: Nitrate Nitrogen 5.9%. Ammoniacal Nitrogen 3.85%. Urea Nitrogen 10.25% = 20% to give some idea of relative proportions.)

Phos. pentoxide 2.41%
Potassium oxide 2.6%

I did this investigation after reading the articles on plant nutrition at First Ray's that were recommended:

Plant Nutrition

This is a great series of articles, and gives a fairly complete view of feeding your orchids. Certainly it points out many of the factors (like water quality, pH, and growing medium) that often aren't mentioned or taken into consideration generally with fertilisers. The tables in the last section 'Putting it all together' should help you 'translate' the fertilisers that you have listed into the equivalent recommended dosages.

Quite a few members here use the MSU fertiliser daily and have had really good results. I'm sure you will hear more from them.

[BURR]

Thank you.

I'll look for Rays Place

[cb977]

Welcome to First Rays Orchids

I use the MSU formula for rainwater.

[Ray]

Burr,

I recommend against the 30-10-10. Feeding a plant that much nitrogen is like feeding a kid candy - lot's of immediate energy (which in your plants will be shown as bright, emerald green leaves), but no real nutritional value. The plant will eventually weaken, and likely won't bloom as much as it could with a decent diet.

Bloom boosters are a waste of phosphorus. You'll find a discussion about that here, somewhere.

However, if you mix those two formulas 50/50, you have a 19-28-13, which, if used regularly at 1/2 teaspoon per gallon, isn't a bad formula at all, just a waste of the extra phosphorus. Just check that they have lots of minor- and trace elements, or you'll have to add them.

[BURR]

I'll try to get out and see what I can find. I just have to go to stores all over the island to find anything but I think I know an area in Manila where I may get lucky. I'll mix them tomorrow.

Thanks a lot

[wqdong]

Yes Hello Everyone, Actually , I am real beginner and have to learn from all of you.
I have nine each of Phalaenopsis with white color. Two of them have old stems, I watered them from 10 days to twenty days to monthly now based on the humidity I tested.
I used Miracle 15-30-15 , I noticed that with seven without stems, the leave growth greatly, new leaves come out, and some of them have new stem come out as well. However, with two ,which have old stems and flowers node, because of over fertilizer the new buds were dried and died, then I realized I over fertilized, so I just throughly water them, then new buds comes out again, the flower is starting blooming. I am so happy now.
TO rest of seven , I still use 15-30-15, I saw the new stems come out again, leaves are think dark green, I spray 0.01% Citric acid to leaves every 15 days. The room temp around 60 humidity between 58-70. The flower blooming not fast than I expected. I would like to get help from all of you. Any commend will be greatly appreciated! Have a nice day to you all!
WQ
CLEVELAND OH