When to Fertilize Orchids
Sharing relevant experience about orchids, a member of the Orchidaceae family. When to fertilize orchids, here are the details:
Besides ventilation and watering, fertilizing is the third most important aspect of orchid care. Mastering it is a challenging skill. Some orchid enthusiasts are not very clear about when and how to fertilize orchids. Please read the full text carefully, as it is believed to be beneficial.
We should remember: Insufficient fertilization will not cause fatal damage to the orchid plant, nor will it greatly affect its growth and development. However, excessive fertilization or improper control of fertilizer properties can cause varying degrees of negative impact on the orchid plant, and in severe cases, can lead to death. Simply put, if you can grow orchids without fertilizing, it means you have mastered the essence of fertilization. For weak seedlings, minimal care is needed, and for strong seedlings, as long as the planting material is rich in nutrients, such as fragrant soil or humus soil, fertilization is almost unnecessary. However, most新手 orchid growers will not rest until they add some fertilizer to the pot. They will not stop experimenting with the orchid until it dies, which is one of the joys of growing orchids. Therefore, it is necessary to study, explore, practice, and summarize the issue of fertilization seriously.
I. Types of Fertilizers:
1. Organic Fertilizer: Use soybeans, peanuts, corn, sesame, soybean cake, rapeseed cake, sesame residue, and rain intestines to brew fertilizer water, apply a 200x solution, and it is best to use after maturing for more than half a year. This type of fertilizer contains more potassium and nitrogen, suitable for spring application, which can promote cell division in orchid plants. If water management is proper, the germination rate is relatively high. This fertilizer, after brewing and fermentation, has a pungent odor and contains a large number of harmful bacteria and insects, which requires strict sterilization and insecticide treatment, and can be used with insecticides like dinotefuran half an hour later.
2. Chemical Fertilizer: Chemical fertilizers take effect quickly but are not as gentle as organic fertilizers. Brand-name flower fertilizers like "Flower Treasure" can be used with confidence.
The accurate grasp of fertilization is based on understanding the growth habits of orchid plants, which is very important.
II. Fertilizer Management According to Different Growth Stages of Orchids:
1. Germination Stage: The germination temperature for orchid plants is 8-18 degrees Celsius in spring. During this period, the roots of the orchid plants revive, the rhizomes awaken, and the mother cells become active. Spray twice with "Flower Treasure No. 4" to promote germination and add "Orchid King" when watering to facilitate sprouting. There are no visible signs of growth on the surface of the orchid plants during this period. Weak seedlings should be allowed to continue resting and fertilization should be delayed.
2. Growth Stage: The normal growth temperature for orchid plants is 12-20 degrees Celsius. At this time, the roots of the orchid plants begin to stretch, the autumn buds from the previous year break through the soil, and the new buds of the current year are eager to grow. This is the golden period for the growth and development of orchid plants. Attention should be paid to the water and fertilizer management of the orchid plants. Full-price fertilizers are recommended, or nitrogenous fertilizers can be applied. Nitrogenous fertilizers should not be excessive, as they can easily cause the new leaves to become soft, thin, and large, and prone to carbonous disease. Fertilization can be carried out at normal proportions to achieve strong buds and seedlings, which is the first application of fertilization.
3. Spring and Summer Vigorous Growth Period: The growth temperature for orchid plants is 20-32 degrees Celsius. This period is also known as the plum rain season. During this time, the orchid plants grow rapidly. Although the orchid plants require a lot of fertilizer at this temperature, some of the root fertilizers applied in the previous period still remain in the pot (less or no retention in coarse materials, still need to continue fertilizing), so the root fertilization at this time must be thin to reduce the risk of fertilizer injury to the orchid plants due to the rise in temperature. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are mainly used, or full-price fertilizers can also be applied. Nitrogenous fertilizers should not be used or used sparingly. This period is also a high incidence of diseases and pests, so it is necessary to strengthen ventilation and water control and do a good job in pest prevention and control.
4. Stagnant Growth Period: This refers to the short stagnant growth period of orchid plants above 35 degrees Celsius, but there are not many hours in a day with temperatures above 35 degrees. During high temperatures, orchid plants actually grow the most rapidly and are most prone to soft rot and stem rot. To prevent rot, combined with the residual fertilizer from previous applications or the inherent fertility of the planting material, during the dog days of summer, it is necessary to seize the opportunity to increase the amount of watering and absolutely not to fertilize. Water repeatedly 2-3 times, using large amounts of water to carry away the remaining fertilizer in the orchid pot. Repeat this 3-4 times to make the potting mix light and moderate, which is an important measure for the orchid plants to safely survive the summer.
5. Autumn Vigorous Growth Period: The growth temperature for orchid plants is 32-20 degrees Celsius in autumn. Since we have diluted the potting mix in the summer and the orchid plants need a lot of fertilizer at this time, it is necessary to water the root fertilizers (the second deliberate fertilization) with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers as the main ingredients.
6. Winter Dormancy Period: Below 8 degrees Celsius, orchid plants basically stop growing and enter winter dormancy, and foliar fertilizers can be applied appropriately.
III. Key Points of Fertilization:
First, different fertilization methods should be used for different potting mix fertility.
Second, different fertilization methods should be used for different varieties. Different orchid species have different fertilizer requirements, such as Cymbidiums needing more fertilizer, while Cypripediums need less, just one-fifth of the amount for Cymbidiums.
Third, after fertilizing in the evening during high temperatures, it is necessary to water the "reviving water" early the next morning. This has two purposes: one is to wash away the fertilizer solution on the orchid leaves; the other is to leach away the excess fertilizer in the potting mix to avoid fertilizer damage to the orchid plants.
Fourth, for newly potted orchid plants, root fertilization can only be done after the orchid roots are longer than 3 cm.
Fifth, do not fertilize at low temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, high temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, or during saturated humidity rainy days, as this is the same as watering.
Sixth, fertilize based on the leaf condition. If the orchid leaves are thin and pale, it indicates a lack of fertilizer; if the leaves are thick and green, it indicates sufficient fertilizer. After fertilization, if the leaf color becomes darker green, it means the fertilizer has taken effect; if the leaf color does not change, the fertilizer is too dilute and the concentration should be increased. If the leaf tip becomes scorched, it means excessive or concentrated fertilizer has been used, and immediate measures such as watering or repotting should be taken to save the plant, otherwise it will die.
Seventh, do not fertilize when the potting mix is too dry or too wet. If it is too dry, the orchid plant absorbs too much fertilizer and can be damaged; if it is too wet, the plant absorbs less fertilizer and the remaining fertilizer in the matrix can also cause damage.
Eighth, animal and plant fertilizers must be fully fermented before use. Fresh fertilizers should not be used, as they will kill the orchids.
Ninth, the mixing of fertilizers should be scientific. Generally, acids and bases should not be mixed, and biological bacteria fertilizers should not be mixed with other fertilizers.
Tenth, the method of foliar application should be emphasized, as fertilizers need to be absorbed through the leaf stomata. The leaf stomata are mainly on the back of the leaves, so the spray should mainly target the back of the leaves. The nozzle should be facing up, and the mist should be fine to increase the chances of hitting the back of the leaves. Also, do not spray too much.
Eleventh, be cautious with growth hormones. Growth hormones can indeed promote plant growth and development, increase germination rates, promote early maturity, and increase yield. However, their main function is to promote cell elongation, which can lead to excessive growth or lodging after application.
Twelfth, urea should not be applied to the roots, only to the leaves.
Thirteenth, do not apply magnesium and manganese elements to leaf art orchids.
Fourteenth, do not fertilize during the flowering period. Flower buds have a high absorption capacity for nutrients but a low tolerance, and fertilization will cause the flowers to fail.
IV. Summary:
Minimize or avoid fertilization. For general potting mix and ordinary seedlings, fertilizing 5-6 times a year is enough.
Orchid enthusiasts are a bit obsessed, often coming out in groups during the flowering period to impress people, calling it an orchid show. Orchid King Shen Yuanru often collects dew at 4 or 5 in the morning to water the orchids, which is the most obsessed. Only by experimenting can one better master the nature of orchids.
The above-sharing content about when to fertilize orchids is for reference by green plant enthusiasts, and it is hoped that it can solve your problems in green plant and flower management.