To know how to fertilize a phalaenopsis orchid at home in order to bloom, you need to imagine how this plant lives in the wild. To start growing, it is enough for it to attach roots to a stone, tree or bush. Phalaenopsis belong to epiphytes, that is, cohabiting plants.
The species lives in tropical rainforests, so at home they need to create similar conditions. The plant does not like bright sunlight, diffused light will do.
Orchid needs
The soil, which is suitable for feeding orchids at home, consists of organic matter - plant debris and bird droppings. Rotting, all these components turn into a kind of compost, on which the plant feels good.
If you buy phalaenopsis in a store, then at first you cannot disturb it - replant it, water it abundantly, feed it hard. With these methods, you can provoke stress in the plant, and it will die.
The roots of the plant are thickened - in them it stores moisture. Leaves are dense, fleshy - they also serve as an additional reservoir for water, so excessive watering causes rotting of the root system.
Phalaenopsis is able to absorb moisture from the air, so at first it is better to just spray them. When the flower gets used to the new conditions and the growth of shoots and leaves becomes noticeable, you can gradually add fertilizing for the orchids for flowering.
In the wild, the plant blooms all year round. At home, mature plants flowers appear twice a year with proper care, and young orchids only once. Flowering begins in late November and lasts until February.
In February, the orchid rests, and in March, increased growth of leaves and roots begins, new buds are formed. In May, those plants are transplanted for which there is little room in the pot. For this they are not fed two weeks before and after transplant.
Meals methods
Phalaenopsis are equally good at absorbing nutrition both root and foliar. If the root system is affected by rot, then they switch to spraying with nutrients on the leaves.
Features of foliar feeding
On sale there is a special fertilizer for Phalaenopsis orchids for flowering at home - "Dr. Foley - Orchid" with a spray. It is intended for foliar spraying. In this case, you need to ensure that the solution does not get on the buds and flowers, if they have already formed.
Spraying is carried out in a darkened place so that direct sunlight does not fall on the plant. Draft is also harmful, and in a cold room, the leaves will not absorb the solution.
Orchid root nutrition
It is better to feed orchids with special means, but if there are none, then fertilizers for flowering plants diluted 2 - 3 times and so they bring it to the roots.
How to feed an orchid at home:
- Before immersion in a nutrient solution, the plant is immersed in clean warm water so that the fertilizer does not damage the root system.
- In 30 minutes the roots are dipped in a prepared liquid solution and in 20 minutes put in place.
It is impossible for water or fertilizer to remain in the bottom of the pan. This contributes to decay of the root tips.
Fertilizing products
For feeding Phalaenopsis orchids, it is better to use liquid products. In them, the amount of substances is dosed, there is no need to specifically measure the amount of granules or powder. It is advisable to use a chelated form with trace elements. Calcium and iron are especially important.
Calcium maintains the required level of soil acidity. Too high or low pH leads to poor absorption of nutrients, as they are bound and do not enter the plant.
Organic fertilizers
Organics are needed to hold (fix) the plant in the pot. For this, tree bark or a light plant substrate is usually used, which allows air to pass through well and does not accumulate moisture.
The best fertilizer for feeding orchids is horse manure. It is dissolved in water, diluted and watered, making sure that the concentration of the solution is weak. Manure is useful during the period of foliage growth. It also contains the necessary substances to stimulate flowering - potassium and a little phosphorus.
Important! When feeding orchids at home, fertilizers are applied only to completely healthy plants.
When the phalaenopsis orchid is fertilized with organic matter, it is better to use rotted manure with a low nitrogen concentration. The florist's rule that it is better to underfeed is very important for epiphytes.
Mineral dressing
In addition to the most essential - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus - orchids need magnesium for the process of photosynthesis, as well as iron, glucose, succinic acid, vitamins of group B. To accelerate cell division, the hormone cytokinin is used.
Potassium, calcium and phosphorus affect the color characteristics of epiphytic plants. With a lack of potassium and phosphorus, the buds may not form, and nitrogen exchange will be disrupted.
Nutrition rules
When feeding orchids is contraindicated:
- during flowering;
- nitrogen fertilizers for orchids before the formation of buds - this stimulates the growth of leaves, but budding does not occur;
- if the plant is weakened - in this case, the roots are cleaned of rot and allowed to dry, and minerals are applied in small doses to the leaves;
- during the dormant period - in winter - very little time is given to feeding the orchids: once a month in a diluted concentration.
In order for beginners not to make a mistake and not harm the plant, it is recommended to purchase special solutions in liquid form for each growth period of phalaenopsis. For example, "Dr. Foley" has two versions of their drug:
- for young plants that are just forming and growing leaves;
- for adults who are already starting to bloom.
Video: Orchid feeding
Consequences of mistakes in growing orchids
It is necessary to start caring for epiphytes at the stage of purchase. If the room where the orchids are sold is too cold or hot, this will weaken the immune system and will also facilitate the transmission of fungal infections from one plant to another. Especially if cut flowers are sold nearby.
When buying, the roots are examined. They should be green or silvery. Brown color indicates the onset of the decay process. To bring the plant home in the cold, you need a thermal bag or a multilayer wrap.
The main troubles arise from the overflow of the substrate or stagnant water in the sump. If, moreover, there is a layer of soil near the root collar, then the roots will begin to die. This happens if suppliers do not follow the rules for keeping orchids and leave them in the soil, instead of placing them in bark.
In order to apply fertilizers for orchids in the way that proper agricultural technology suggests, it is important to take into account the characteristics of these plants, otherwise top dressing will not be beneficial and may even harm the crops. If you don't trust the mineral complexes sold in flower shops, you can prepare organic flowering stimulants yourself using ash or mullein infusion.
Like other plants, orchids need regular feeding. But you need to fertilize differently from most houseplants. A number of biological (especially epiphytes) - slow metabolism, aerial roots with delicate unprotected tips, the presence of periods of rest - suggests a more attentive attitude to their feeding.
You will learn how to properly fertilize orchids, what and how often to do it, after reading this material.
Orchid fertilization rules for root, leaf and flowering growth
When talking about how to use orchid fertilizers, it is important to emphasize that there are no one size fits all recipes. Some growers prefer organic fertilizing, others - inorganic, some apply fertilizer to the substrate, others promote foliar spraying. When deciding how and with what fertilizers to feed an orchid, you need to follow a few simple rules.
- Firstly, it must be remembered that the high concentration of salts in the orchid solution is extremely negative. Therefore, any flower dressing (except for orchids) should be diluted at least 2 times for feeding terrestrial orchids, and 5-10 times for feeding epiphytic orchids, compared to the recommendation on the label.
- Secondly Like most other plants, orchids go through several phases of growth and development in the annual cycle, during which they need the predominance of different nutrients. So, during the period of active leaf growth, fertilizers for orchids should be saturated with nitrogen, and at the time of flower bud development, more phosphorus and potassium are required.
- Third the rule that must be followed when choosing a feeding system is to take into account periods of biological rest (for species that have them).
This is especially true for species that shed their leaves during dormancy, completely lose their root system and wait out unfavorable conditions in the form of pseudobulbs:
Calante ( Calanthe)
(Pleione)
Tunia ( Thunia)
Eulophia ( Eulophia)
At this time, not only feeding, but also watering is excluded for them.
It is necessary to use fertilizers for the roots of orchids, in which the periods of biological dormancy are not so pronounced in the annual growth cycle, should be done according to different rules. Growing such plants using artificial supplementary lighting (this mainly concerns orchids native to the tropics of the Southern Hemisphere), regular feeding can be continued even in winter, especially if the plants continue to grow actively.
Age and quality also matter when choosing a fertilizer for the growth of orchids, because microorganisms are constantly working inside it - fungi, bacteria, cyanobacteria. Fungi and bacteria process the organic matter of the substrate and mineral fertilizers into a form accessible to the roots and supply part of the nutrients to the roots of orchids.
Gradually, together with nutrients, toxic substances accumulate in the old substrate, in addition, organic matter processed by microorganisms prevents free access of air to the roots. The older the substrate, the less breathable it is and the more salts it contains.
With age, the substrate can accumulate so much toxic salts that, upon contact with them, the growing tips of the roots will begin to die off. Therefore, watering and fertilization to stimulate the flowering of orchids that have not been transplanted into another pot for a long time should be less frequent than those that have just been transplanted into a fresh substrate.
An orchid planted on a hungry organic substrate (for example, from the bark), on the contrary, is fighting for mineral nutrition with microorganisms, therefore it needs more intensive feeding, which, however, should be started only 2-3 weeks after transplanting and after being introduced into the substrate young roots.
When growing an orchid in a mineral substrate (for example, in expanded clay), one should more carefully monitor not only the regularity and balance of fertilizers, but also prevent salinization by regularly washing the substrate with demineralized (distilled) water.
Ways to water orchids with fertilizers
When choosing methods for fertilizing orchids, first of all, remember the delicate growing tips of the roots of epiphytic orchids, which can quickly die from fertilization with a high concentration of salts. Therefore, before feeding, thoroughly water the culture with demineralized (boiled, filtered or distilled) water.
Another important condition that the orchid grower should always remember is the limitation associated with the air temperature: if the temperature is> 32 ° C during the day and> 24 ° C at night, orchid feeding is very poorly absorbed.
The most common way to fertilize orchids and other potted flowers is to water the substrate from above into the pot, and the top dressing should soak the entire substrate lump and drain freely through the drainage hole. To wet the substrate evenly, you can take the orchid pot in your hand, plug the drainage hole with your finger from below, pour the fertilizer solution from above into the pot to the brim, then remove your finger and let the dressing drain freely. Suitable for personalized care.
Another way of watering an orchid with fertilizers is foliar dressing, that is, spraying with a diluted nutrient solution over the leaves. In many orchids with hard, fleshy leaves (for example, phalaenopsis), the stomata are mainly on the lower side, it is through them that mineral substances from top dressing penetrate into the plants. Therefore, the benefits of foliar dressing are greater if the leaves are sprayed not from above, but from below.
It is clear that a plant can absorb a very small amount of solution through the stomata, therefore, orchids are usually fed by the foliar method with microelements (iron, zinc, boron, etc.), but a balanced complex fertilizer can also be used, which is applied regularly (for example, every second spraying).
How else can you use complex fertilizers for orchids
An effective method of fertilization is to place the pot “up to the neck” in a container with top dressing for 20-30 minutes, then let the top dressing drain freely through the drainage hole. This method is not suitable for newly transplanted, unrooted or unfortified plants, as they may simply float out of the pot.
You can also fertilize the orchids from below through the drainage hole. The fertilizer solution is drunk into a shallow container and a pot with a plant is placed in it for 1-2 hours. At the same time, the moisture-absorbing substrate gradually absorbs the top dressing inside the substrate coma from below, through the drainage hole. Then the pot is removed and the feeding is allowed to drain freely. In this way, it is necessary to fertilize orchids of moisture-loving species and "precious" crops.
It is not necessary to water the plants with the drained top dressing again, because, passing through the substrate, the solution changes its chemical (concentration, acidity) and microbiological properties.
In addition, repeated use of complex fertilizer for orchids can lead to infection of healthy plants with various pathogens - insects, fungi, bacteria and viruses.
This video shows the correct fertilization of orchids:
How to dilute orchid fertilizers in order to use them correctly
To avoid the appearance of salt inlays on, before diluting the fertilizer, you need to remember three basic rules:
- To prepare foliar dressings, use only soft, carbonate-free water;
- Use nutrient solutions with a low salt concentration of no more than 0.05% (0.5 ml / l);
- Between foliar dressings, rinse the plant, substrate surface or substrate block with clean, salt-free water.
Most orchids do not tolerate increased salt concentration not only in irrigation water, but also in top dressing.
For feeding orchids characterized by CAM photosynthesis and low salt status, the concentration of the nutrient solution should be less than 0.1% (1 ml / l); for orchids characterized by switching C3-CAM photosynthesis with an average salt status, the concentration of the nutrient solution should be in the range of 0.1-0.2% (1-2 ml / l), and only for terrestrial C3 species with a high salt status the concentration of the nutrient solution can be more than 0.2% (more than 2 ml / l).
It is better that when feeding epiphytic orchids, solutions are used, the concentration of which does not exceed 0.1-0.05% (1-0.5 ml / l).
When to fertilize orchids: timing and video
It is important to know not only how to fertilize an orchid, but also when to do it. In orchids, like other houseplants, nutrient requirements vary with the seasons. In spring and summer, when the day is longer, there is more light and the temperature is higher, the plant is able to absorb and process more nutrients than in autumn and winter with a short day, less light and low temperature.
In addition, many orchids in winter are in a state of forced dormancy due to low light in the room, their metabolism decreases, and growth almost completely stops.
How often to fertilize orchids during a given period?
During this period, the need for additional nutrients is insignificant, therefore, in the period from November to early February, feeding can be completely eliminated or reduced (the concentration of the solution is up to 0.05% (0.5 ml / l), and the frequency is up to 1 time per month). Starting in February, when the length of daylight hours increases significantly, and the illumination increases, the plants start to grow and need an additional influx of nutrients, which can be obtained through regular feeding.
Well-rooted adult plants can be fed regularly with home fertilizers for orchids with every second watering, but foliar foliar is better for weakened plants with damaged root systems.
Please also note the limitation associated with the temperature compensation point: at a constantly high temperature (above 30 ° C during the day, above 24 ° C at night), the process of carbon dioxide consumption and the processes of C3 photosynthesis associated with it stop, the stomata close, and the roots stop absorbing fertilizer solutions. In such hot conditions, feeding is useless.
Orchids, which have a long dormant period in their annual cycle, at the time of the resumption of active growth, need not only a gradual increase in moisture, but also a gradual increase in the concentration of dressings.
So, in the very initial phase of the growth of a young shoot, when the roots of the orchid have just penetrated into the substrate, it is too early to feed the plant, at this time you can only carefully renew the moth with distilled or demineralized water.
As the root system of the young shoot develops, you can start feeding, and at first the nutrient solution should be weaker so that it cannot burn the root system, and then the concentration can be gradually increased.
By watching the video Fertilizing Orchids, you can better understand how and when this important agricultural technique is performed:
What fertilizers can you water orchids: the composition of the best dressings
When choosing which fertilizers to use for feeding orchids, do not forget that water is both a source of oxygen and hydrogen, and a solvent and a means of transporting nutrients, both in the substrate and inside the plant.
Mineral salts dissolved in water dissociate, that is, they break up into two parts or into two ions: one is negatively charged (anion), the other is positively charged (cation). In any soil solution, all mineral salts available to a plant are present only in the form of anions and cations.
Basically, the purpose of mineral fertilization of orchids at home is to introduce into the substrate two cations (NH4 and K) and two anions (PO4 and NO3), including three elements - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These are the three macronutrients that plants need during active growth, flowering and fruiting.
In addition to macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), the composition of fertilizers for orchids should include trace elements (iron, calcium, magnesium, etc.). Their lack or excess leads to a weakening, deformation or delay in the development of shoots, roots and orchid inflorescences. Acidity is an important metric for maximum absorption of nutrients.
What liquid mineral fertilizers can be fed to orchids (with photo)
The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in mineral dressings is called the N: P: K complex. For example, a N: P: K ratio of 10:10:10 indicates that 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 10% potassium are available to the plant in this solution. A solution with the formula N: P: K = 3: 1: 1 contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the same proportions as a solution with the formula 30:10:10, but the concentration of substances in it is ten times lower, that is, it is diluted 10 times.
It is these diluted solutions that are the best fertilizers for feeding orchids.... At the moment when young shoots start to grow (in spring), when the nitrogen demand of the orchid increases, a fertilizer is used in which N: P: K = 3: 1: 1 or 10: 4: 7. The completion of the growth of shoots and the beginning of flowering indicates that it is time to increase the amount of phosphorus and potassium, here fertilizer with a ratio of 1: 2: 2 or 1: 3: 2 is suitable.
When choosing which fertilizer to water an orchid, it is better to use liquid mineral fertilizers, the labels of which indicate that they are intended specifically for these plants. The developers even offer paired drugs of the same brand, but designed for different phases of development.
For example fertilizer Orchid Quick intended for the growth of shoots, and fertilizer Orchid Quick Plus stimulates flowering.
Using ready-made liquid mineral fertilizers for orchids (and especially those containing vitamins and biostimulants), we must not forget that they have a shelf life. It is not recommended to buy old fertilizers, because in bottles with fertilizers, which have already expired, insoluble sediment often falls out.
The negative properties of the long-prepared top dressing are also obvious: along with the removal of a part of the mineral substances necessary for the plant from the nutrient solution, the acidity index of the solution also changes.
These photos show the best fertilizers for orchids:
How to independently prepare fertilizers for orchids (with video)
Orchids can be fed not only with mineral, but also organic fertilizers, but this must be done very carefully, be sure to take into account the periods of growth and dormancy of plants. Orchids grown on land mixes react very much to organic fertilizers.
As you know, orchids are epiphytes. In nature, they are located on tree trunks in tropical rainforests, on rocky areas and along the coast, but everywhere they have a fulcrum. Whether it's a tree trunk or bare cobblestone, an orchid needs to gain a foothold on something.
Orchids are sold mainly in transparent plastic pots and in a light, airy substrate, in most cases in pine bark. In essence, the bark does not contain nutrients; it acts as a "fixation", i.e. so that the plant does not dry out and does not stagger in the pot, you can pour anything into it. Orchids are grown in expanded clay, in a special gel, in bark, in sphagnum (moss), in any artificial material and even in mineral wool. At home, it will develop in any substrate, the main thing is to know how to care for an orchid correctly, based on its natural characteristics.
The main factors that determine the growth and development of orchids are temperature, lighting, humidity, watering regime and many others, but now let's talk about feeding.
When the orchid is not fed
Often, after buying an orchid, people bring it home and, in order to make the plant as good as possible, begin to feed it. Before you start feeding, you need to read at least general information about caring for the type of orchid that you have purchased. And, of course, you need to know when fertilization is harmful.
- Only a purchased plant (this only applies to orchids!) Is not transplanted or fertilized. They are not transplanted because the substrate in which the plant is located serves only as a fulcrum, and even if the roots of the plant "jump" out of the pot, the orchid does not need to be transplanted for the next 2-3 years.
- It is also not recommended to feed a blooming orchid, because feeding will provoke the rapid death of loose flowers and formed buds. In greenhouses, from where they initially go to the shelves, orchids, during their growth and before the forcing of peduncles, receive a full-fledged balanced diet.
- Do not feed recently transplanted plants that are weakened or diseased. For such plants, there are other drugs that stimulate cell growth and repair, for example, Epin, Kornevin, Succinic acid.
- Orchids are also not fertilized during the dormant period, when the plant is resting.
Fertilizer composition
Consider the macronutrients that are essential for the development of plants: nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. It is important to remember the main rules:
- During the growth period, we fertilize plants with a high percentage of nitrogen content in it, because nitrogen is responsible for the growth of vegetative mass, for example, Mister color station wagon or another fertilizer for indoor plants at a reduced concentration.
- During the phase of laying the peduncles and budding, we feed with fertilizer with a high percentage of phosphorus and calcium content (suitable Mister Color Orchid).
Phosphorus participates in the processes of protein, carbohydrate metabolism, and also contributes to the processes of growth, respiration and photosynthesis. It is especially important for young plants, because underfeeding with phosphorus can affect the development of a young plant and it will be quite difficult to compensate for it in the future. Phosphorus will also help form a lush and vibrant bloom and brighten the decorative leaves. Potassium has a positive effect on the intensity of photosynthesis and is involved in carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism, promotes water retention in cells. With a lack of potassium in the plant, protein synthesis is inhibited, as a result, the entire nitrogen metabolism is disrupted.
How to fertilize an orchid?
Orchids are fed in the active growth phase with special fertilizers for orchids once every 2 weeks. Such fertilizers are specially designed and have a lower concentration of macronutrients and a classical one - microelements, because epiphytes do not tolerate the salinity of the substrate. If there is no special fertilizer for orchids, you can use fertilizer for flowering indoor plants, only in a halved concentration.
Before feeding, be sure to water the orchid or first soak in a basin with soft, settled water at room temperature so that the roots will absorb the water. And only then add fertilizers to the water according to the dosage indicated in the instructions. The roots of orchids are quite tender, and if you fertilize orchids without first soaking the roots, they will get burns, gradually the tips of the roots will begin to die off. Never fertilize orchids with undiluted fertilizer, this is strictly prohibited!
The orchid should be in a solution with fertilizer for 10-20 minutes. Only specially purified or drinking water can be used to prepare the solution. After feeding, it must be put in a permanent place, avoiding the remains of the solution at the bottom of the flowerpot or saucer under the flowerpot in order to avoid decay of the roots.
In the autumn-winter period, fertilizing is reduced to a minimum, fertilizers should be applied balanced no more than once a month. In the spring, feeding is resumed.
There is an alternative way of feeding - foliar fertilization (Dr. FOLEY Orchid)... In this case, the ready-made solution with macro- and microelements is applied by spraying over the leaves of the orchid.
This method has several advantages:
- it does not require lengthy preparation before processing,
- the action of foliar feeding is much faster,
- trace elements enter through the leaves in a larger volume than through the roots,
- if the root system is damaged, only foliar feeding will be able to deliver nutrients to the affected plant.
Do not spray plants in direct sunlight, in a draft or in a cold room, and do not allow fertilizer to get on the flowers and buds.
Two words about organic fertilizers
In nature, there are organic fertilizers: compost and manure, but this kind of feeding is not suitable for all types of orchids. These fertilizers are best used in the garden at the cottage for flower beds and beds. There are many terrestrial orchid species, for example, Cymbidium, Cypripedium, but it is almost impossible to calculate the mineral content at home, and this can easily lead to damage to the sensitive roots of epiphytes. Therefore, for feeding orchids, it is advisable to use not organic, but mineral fertilizers.
On our website, you can familiarize yourself with general recommendations for choosing for indoor plants.
In nature, any plant receives its nutrition from the environment. In nature, there is a constant cycle in the food chain - someone dies and becomes food for other living beings. At home, plants live in cramped flower pots, where nutrients are quickly depleted. Therefore, we are amateur flower growers simply obliged to provide our pets with all the necessary food. And in the article you will learn how and how to feed an orchid at home during flowering and at other times. In fact, there is nothing difficult, and even if you are a beginner florist, you will definitely cope with this task.
And since most amateur flower growers have a phalaenopsis orchid in their house, I will talk about this particular species. But the recommendations given in this article can be applied to other types of orchids.
Despite the fact that the orchid is a completely unpretentious plant and does not require careful attention to itself, it should not be treated with disdain.
The plant does not need frequent feeding, and the rule here is that it is better to underfeed than overfeed. But, despite this, the plant still needs additional nutrition, although not as acutely as other indoor flowers. Only for feeding orchids, fertilizers are diluted in smaller doses.
Like all other flowers, the orchid needs such important elements as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other substances.
Thanks to nitrogen, the plant normally develops a green mass. It is better to use nitrogen together with potash fertilizers.
Thanks to phosphorus, the plant normally develops a root system. Plus, phosphorus has a beneficial effect on flowering. Phosphorus is contained in all complex fertilizers.
Potassium influences the favorable development of flowers. Potassium stops the overall growth of the plant so that all its forces are directed to the formation of flowers, and not to the development of green mass.
It should be remembered that fertilizers are not a panacea for all ailments that can happen to an orchid. And if the plant does not look healthy, then you cannot feed it.
From an overabundance of nutrition, the plant may slow down growth and appear black dots on the tips of the leaves.
Top dressing of orchids during flowering
To feed an orchid during flowering or not, there are 2 completely opposite opinions. Some growers argue that the orchid must be fed during flowering. This period is quite difficult for a plant and it spends a lot of energy on the development of the peduncle and the flowers themselves. And additional nutrition supports her during this difficult period.
Another group of flower growers is on the fact that dressing has a negative effect on flowering, or rather, they shorten the flowering period and the buds quickly fade and die off.
But it seems to me that one should not adhere strictly to one opinion and the truth is somewhere in between. And I listen more to the opinion of experts, and their recommendations help me a lot in caring for orchids.
So, let's start with the fact that the orchid is in dire need of additional nutrition during the development of the peduncle and the formation of buds. During this period, the plant gives up all its vitality and energy. Therefore, during the period of peduncle and bud formation, feeding is recommended 2 times a week.
When most of the buds are in full bloom, it is best to cut back to once a week. Otherwise, the flowering period really shortens and the development of new buds stops. But we grow an orchid for its gorgeous flowers.
The frequency of feeding also depends on the season. So, in the autumn and spring, the orchid needs more frequent feeding. And in summer and winter, feeding is reduced to once a month.
How to properly feed orchids
A very important rule that should not be violated in any case is the time when the plant can be fed.
It is better to do this during daylight hours and preferably before noon. Experts believe that in the morning, orchid roots are more susceptible and better able to absorb nutrients.
If you feed the orchid in the evening, then at this time the roots are preparing for a night's rest and many nutrients may not be absorbed at all. Such feeding can become useless.
In no case should you feed the orchid when it has dry roots. The plant is preliminarily watered abundantly, and fertilizing after watering is carried out after 2-3 days, with the pot immersed in the solution for 20 minutes.
How to feed an orchid
Today, there are special preparations for feeding orchids. You can also buy fertilizers for other indoor flowers, but such fertilizers for feeding orchids are diluted in smaller doses.
It should be borne in mind that before the beginning of flowering (about 1-2 months, you should reduce, or completely stop the subcrust with a nitrogen content).
During the flowering period, it is better to use potassium phosphate fertilizers. Although, in principle, manufacturers take these factors into account and produce fertilizers that meet these requirements. But still, read the instructions and composition before buying.
Today on sale there are both liquid fertilizers for orchids, and granular. But if you care about your flowers, then buy liquid fertilizers better. You can always control the dosage, which is difficult to achieve with dry fertilizers.
Fertilizing an orchid after flowering
I have already mentioned in the article more than once that orchids spend a lot of strength and energy on the development of flowers. And after the plant has bloomed, it needs to restore its strength, get the right nutrition.
After flowering, the orchid needs to be fed within a week after the last flower has faded. And after that, it is not recommended to disturb the orchid for at least 2 weeks.
During the dormant period, it is better to feed orchids with fertilizers containing nitrogen and a small amount of phosphorus.
Is it possible to feed an orchid after transplanting
After the orchid has faded, it is a good time for transplanting. Orchid substrate contains virtually no nutrients. But, despite this, the first 3-4 weeks after the transplant, it is forbidden to feed the orchid.
If you do not follow this rule, then you can ruin the plant, since nutrition during this period can cause various diseases. And many are convinced that additional nutrients help the plant adapt and increase its vitality. However, this is not at all the case, on the contrary, at this time, immediately after transplanting, the plant, on the contrary, loses strength due to additional nutrition.
After transplanting, watch your plant closely. Only when you notice that the orchid has begun to grow can you start feeding.
However, the first top dressing is best done foliar. Succinic acid is well suited for this top dressing.
Foliar feeding of orchids
In nature, orchids receive most of their nutrition through the leaves, therefore, foliar feeding is more favorable for them. However, here too you need to know simple rules.
First, for the foliar subcortex, the fertilizer dose is diluted 2 times less. (depending on the fertilizer 2.5 ml. for 1.5 liters of water). And this solution is carefully sprayed on the plant, trying to prevent water from getting into the space between the leaves.
Secondly, foliar feeding should not be carried out in sunny weather, so that direct sunlight falls on the plant. It is better to carry out such feeding in cloudy weather, or in the early morning.
- Try to spray the leaves with the solution evenly.
- Avoid getting the solution on the peduncles.
- It is impossible that, after feeding, direct sunlight falls on the plant.
- Foliar dressing should be carried out in a warm room so that there are no drafts.
- Make sure that water does not get into the growing point and in the gaps between the leaves. If water gets into these places, it is carefully removed with cotton swabs.
Well, that's all I wanted to tell you about feeding orchids, what and how to feed them during flowering, after flowering and during dormancy. Follow these simple guidelines and your flowers will always be beautiful and healthy.
Most of the plants from the Orchid family that are adapted for growing at home are epiphytes. This means that in nature they do not live in the soil, but on the trunks of woody plants. But this does not mean that the flower does not need feeding. For normal growth and abundant flowering, orchids need a constant supply of nutrients. Therefore, it is always appropriate to additionally feed the orchid at home. It is important that the composition of the fertilizer matches the phase of the plant's development and that the concentration of nutrients is appropriate. Orchids suffer from both too scarce and over-feeding.
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Orchid feeding rules
Orchids at home need feeding all year round, but the composition of fertilizers should differ depending on the growth and flowering phases. For orchids, the same fertilizer composition is used as for other indoor plants. Difference in concentration and ratio of nutrients. Lack of fertilization is less dangerous than overuse of fertilizer. An excess of fertilizer can cause the orchid to burn its roots or shed flowers.
Orchids are fed only with liquid fertilizers - through watering or spraying. Powder mixtures are thoroughly mixed in water and filtered - no crystals or solid particles should remain in the solution. Granules and sticks that stick into the substrate and gradually dissolve are also not suitable, even if they are designed specifically for orchids. Dry fertilizers are distributed unevenly, and their high concentration in one place causes burns to the roots of the orchid.
The best feeding method is to combine it with watering. The plant is immersed in a container of water, left in it for 15-20 minutes, until the roots are saturated with moisture. After that, you can start feeding. The plant is either spilled several times with a nutrient composition, or immersed in a container with it, just as when watering. Then they take it out and put it in its usual place. Top dressing is carried out once a week during growth, and in winter - once every two weeks or even less often.
During and immediately after transplanting, orchids are not fed and even watered less. The root wounds should heal, and the whole plant should be given time to adapt, which takes about two weeks. Sick flowers do not need feeding, but treatment. It is important to distinguish between signs of nutritional deficiency and illness - yellowed leaves can indicate both a lack of minerals and unfavorable conditions of detention.
Essential nutrients and trace elements
Orchids need the same nutrients as other houseplants. The question is in their quantity and proportion. For feeding, it is necessary to alternate complex fertilizers depending on the season and the phase of development. The lack or excess of various elements is reflected in the appearance of the plant.
Chemical element Action on the plant Signs of deficiency Signs of oversupply Nitrogen Leaf growth and development, especially in young plants Slow growth, weak and small leaves Intense leaf growth and lack of flowering Phosphorus Formation of tubers and peduncles Growth retardation, leaves turn yellow and wither, spots appear on them Yellowing of leaves, rapid aging of the plant, sensitivity to lack of water Potassium Formation of peduncles and flowering, increased immunity Lack of flowering, leaves turn yellow starting from the edges and fall off, fungal diseases may appear Stunted growth, darkening of leaves, new leaves grow small Magnesium Participation in the process of photosynthesis Pale leaves, especially between the veins, the orchid does not bloom and grows slowly Darkening, curling and death of leaves Iron Responsible for photosynthesis and metabolic processes Uniform yellowing of leaves between veins Darkening and cessation of leaf growth Calcium Participation in metabolism, formation of a strong stem, roots and cell walls Weak growth of roots and stems, the top dies off, young leaves grow poorly and curl Pale spots on leaves, tissue death, poor absorption of other substances Copper Overall strength of the plant, immunity against fungal and infectious diseases Lethargic appearance of the plant, the appearance of white spots on the leaves, fungal and bacterial diseases Slow growth, brown spots appear on young leaves, old ones die off In metabolic processes, chemical substances act in an interconnected manner: with a deficiency or an overabundance of one of them, the assimilation of others is difficult, therefore, plants need complex feeding with mineral fertilizers. With a general over-feeding, the roots of the orchid can get burned. Since the roots are in plain sight, traces can be seen at the site of damage: it darkens, dries and dies off. All elements are used for feeding all year round, but their ratio at different periods of orchid life is important. The most essential substances that are responsible for the growth and flowering of plants are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Nitrogen is necessary during the growth period for young plants and in early spring for adults. But with the approach of flowering, its amount in top dressing is reduced - nitrogen removes and shortens the flowering time. From the middle of summer, orchids grow tubers and begin to form flower stalks. During this period, the most needed elements are phosphorus and potassium. Before flowering, until the buds are half full, the predominant potassium content is important. After that, the orchid is not fed for the entire flowering period. And with the onset of autumn, complex fertilizing is introduced, but less intensively than in spring.
Top dressing does not have a significant effect on the appearance of babies in an orchid. If nutrients are sufficient for flowering, they can grow on a peduncle or stem, provided the necessary external conditions are met. In order for the orchid to give children, the peduncle is pruned, the maximum illumination, temperature and humidity in the room are created in the room, and watering is reduced.
Organic fertilizers are not as important for an orchid as mineral fertilizers, it does well without them. But with the right approach, the introduction of organic matter will not harm. The biggest risk is excess nitrogen, especially if the orchid gets it from mineral complexes, which will make flowering difficult.
Fertilizers of industrial production
Special fertilizers are sold for orchids; they differ from fertilizers for other indoor plants not in composition, but in concentration - it should be several times less. Manufacturers must indicate the composition and ratio of chemical elements on the package. From them you can determine whether the mixture is suitable for the orchid, and in what period it is best to use it. For regular feeding during the year, one composition is used, and for the appearance of flowers, another.
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (N) and potassium (K) are essential substances in the fertilizer. Their ratio is measured by the abbreviation NPK and is expressed in numbers. Sometimes the manufacturer indicates it, but more often it writes the content of chemical elements as a percentage. NPK is calculated by adding all the shares and comparing them with each other. For example, a 4-3-3 ratio indicates a low (suitable) concentration and predominance of nitrogen. This top dressing is suitable for orchids during the growth period. And with the approach of flowering, phosphorus-potassium fertilizing is chosen.
The fertilizer contains 5% nitrogen compounds, 6% phosphorus and 7% potassium (NPK: 5 + 6 + 7), it is suitable for feeding orchids to stimulate flowering.
It is good if the fertilizer contains substances in a chelated form. This reduces the risk of salt build-up, which is especially important in hard water. Salts clog blood vessels, prevent the roots from breathing and feeding, as a result, they die and rot.
Fertilizers for abundant flowering
For an orchid to bloom, the content of phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizer must exceed the amount of nitrogen. . Otherwise, the plant will spend all its energy on growing leaves, but they will not be enough for the formation of buds. The NPK ratio in fertilizer for orchid flowering should be approximately 5 + 6 + 7. Then it is entered clearly according to the manufacturer's instructions. If all these numbers are much higher, the composition can be used, but it is diluted with a large amount of water.
The largest number of positive reviews were collected by fertilizers of such brands:
- 1. BonaForte (Russia) - produced in the series "Beauty" and "Health", which are recommended to alternate when feeding.
- 2. Schultz Orchid Food is an expensive German drug.
- 3. REASIL for orchids (Russia).
- 4. Pokon for orchid flowering - Dutch fertilizers, optimal in terms of NPK ratio. However, there are reviews that the composition does not correspond to the declared one and fakes have been identified.
- 5. Etisso is a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants, for orchids needs to be diluted to reduce concentration.
- 6. "Uniflor-Bud" is an inexpensive Russian-made fertilizer. Contains elements in a chelated form, for orchids they are diluted to the desired concentration.
For flowering orchids, it is permissible to use other fertilizers intended for flowering indoor plants, but it is important not to exceed their concentration. Some are only diluted by half, while others will require 10 times more water than indicated in the instructions - this will depend on the concentration of the substances.
For example, the dry fertilizer Agricola for flowering plants contains: nitrogen - 15%, phosphorus - 21%, potassium - 25%. The manufacturer recommends diluting it with water in a ratio of 1 teaspoon to 2 liters of water. It is similar in composition, but the concentration is too high. In this case, not 2, but 6 liters of water are taken per teaspoon of powder - this fertilizer can be used to water the orchid without the risk of burning the roots.
Orchid nutrition at any time of the year
Suitable for feeding throughout the year:
- 1. "Fertika-Lux" (formerly called "Kemira-Lux") - produces food for orchids all year round and before flowering.
- 2. BonaForte - a series of orchid fertilizers in the right concentration. The company produces products for complex care: nutrition, protection against diseases, growth and flowering.
- 3. Greenworld - professional fertilizers for orchids from Germany.
- 4. Pokon - produces product lines for various purposes.
- 5. BioEkor for orchids (Poland).
- 6. BioMaster (Russia).
- 7. Other mineral complexes at a concentration acceptable for orchids.
It is best to feed the plants at shorter intervals with diluted fertilizers. If nutrients are not enough, the flower signals this with yellow leaves and a weak appearance. Only in this case, the intensity of fertilizing should be increased. If the plant is strong and the leaves are bright green, there is no need for additional nutrition.
Do not confuse feeding and stimulants. The former contain nutrients that the plant needs for normal development. The latter regulate life processes. Such drugs as "Epin", "Zircon", "Kornevin", succinic acid are not fertilizers, but stimulators of growth, adaptation and flowering. They can be used for orchids, but this does not eliminate the need for feeding.
Flowers and buds are never sprayed or rubbed. It is important to ensure that even water does not get on them, otherwise the flowers may deform and fall off.
Folk remedies
Fertilizers of industrial production contain the whole complex of substances necessary for the nutrition of an orchid. But some growers are suspicious of purchased "chemistry", preferring to feed their flowers with more natural compounds. After all, the necessary nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other elements are present in wildlife, you just need to correctly convey them to the flower.
An orchid at home can be fed with such improvised means:
- 1. Watering with tea or coffee. Favorite home drinks contain a whole range of mineral elements in low concentration, but it is difficult to determine whether it will be sufficient. An unconditional plus of such feeding is the acidification of the substrate, which is useful even in the absence of the necessary nutrition.
- 2. Banana peel. Fresh or dried, it is infused in water for two days, for which they take 1 banana peel per liter of water. The resulting infusion is filtered, diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio, and the orchid is fed after watering. Rub the leaves with the back of the banana peel until they shine.
- 3. Drained water after boiling potatoes. The broth is rich in potassium, which will have a beneficial effect on the flowering of the orchid. It is filtered, cooled to room temperature and used as a regular top dressing.
- 4. Weak decoction of onion peel, to which you can add a few pieces of orange peel, lemon or grapefruit. It also contains a large amount of potassium and other trace elements, in addition, onions and citrus fruits contain substances that prevent the occurrence of diseases and rot. A handful of husks must be crushed, brought to a boil in 3 liters of water, removed from the stove and wrapped in a cloth. The broth is kept warm for 8-10 hours, after which it is cooled to room temperature and diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 3. The infusion can be used for watering or for spraying leaves.
- 5. Horse dung, bird droppings, blood from washed meat. They contain both minerals and organic compounds useful for plants. But such feeding is dangerous because bacteria and microbes can remain in the waste products of animals, moreover, they all smell unpleasant.
- 6. Wood ash from coniferous trees. It is rich in minerals in an easily digestible form, but their high concentration can harm the roots of the orchid. Therefore, the feeding solution is prepared as weak as possible. 0.2 kg of ash is insisted on a liter of water for a day, after which it is filtered and watered at the root of the orchid.
The disadvantage of using folk methods is that it is impossible to accurately calculate the composition and proportion of nutrients. How much and when to apply fertilizers can only be determined empirically by the appearance of the plant. And such methods are not always environmentally friendly. There has been no scientific research on the effect of homemade fertilizers on orchids, so there is no need to talk about the result.
Experienced flower growers boldly use folk remedies for feeding orchids and, without buying expensive preparations, achieve abundant flowering. Such fertilizers cost a minimum and sometimes zero cost, and the result meets expectations.