Better Gro Orchid Plus and Bloom Booster

[aberardi]

I just got my first orchid. A phal. From trader joes, it seems healthy no root rot, from what i researched. Assume i know nothing about orchids because i dont. I just bought better gro orchid plus and bloom booster. How often should i use it and at what strengths? And when i fertilize do i pour the entire gallon of mix through the plant or just the normal amount i would water? must i wet the roots first, and how and how often should i flush to get salts off? Any tips would be helpful.

Regards

[tucker85]

Better gro orchid plus is a good fertilizer to use. I'm not a big fan or bloom booster fertilizer. The growing season for orchids is from late spring through the summer. Since your fertilizer is made for orchids you can follow the label during the summer growing season. Some of us fertilize once a week so if the label gives a strength for every two weeks, you can cut that in half and give it every week if you like. It's believed that low doses given often is better than fertilizing once a month or even every two weeks. But do whatever works for your schedule. During fall and winter use 1/2 or even 1/4 as much because the plants aren't growing much. When fertilizing just water with the normal amount. Don't pour the whole gallon in. I use 4 gallons of fertilizer to water 70 orchids. Personally I water the orchids before I fertilize but this is controversial and some people don't water first. Either way is probably fine. Once every month or two you should flush the pot really well, wait a few minutes and then flush the pot again. This will loosen up and flush out any excess salts.

[aberardi]

SHould i start fertilizing right away or do they usually come potted with fertilizer. also should i repot it or wait until the bloom is over the ball around the roots seems to be packed fairly tightly and it seems to still be moist even after a week without water

[tucker85]

You're going to get different opinions on repotting. If you want to enjoy the flowers and wait until they are finished before repotting, then only water when the medium is almost completely dry. Even then just water a little you don't need to soak it. Many growers repot their phals as soon as they get them home. That's the best chance of getting a viable plant because often the roots have started to rot before you even get it home. Phals do not mind being repotted and the flowers often continue to bloom even after repotting. Don't worry about fertilizing just now. The plant is in bloom and not really growing so it won't need fertilizer until it's repotted and starting to grow. Orchids make their own food from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. But when they start to grow they need some minerals to make new leaves and roots. That's were fertilizer comes in.

[orchidsamore]

Bloom boost does not increase Flowers. The only thing it does is boost the profits of the manufacturer that dreamed up the name. This is only a high concentration of phosphorous which kills all the beneficial microbes in the potting mix. Florida has made phosphorous illegal to apply in the summer rainy season.

Orchid Plus is a balanced fertilizer with magnesium and calcium added. It will work fine.

[aberardi]

i just ordered a paph spicerianum is this fertilizer suitable for this plant and how often should i use it, diluted at every watering?