What is the best fertilizer for Phalaenopsis orchids
Do you know about this? The best fertilizer for Phalaenopsis orchids and the correct method for beginners to care for them will be introduced by the editor below.
Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the important flowers for the New Year, and they are widely available from autumn every year. Proper care can extend the blooming period to over 200 days. With proper care after blooming, it is relatively easy for Phalaenopsis orchids to rebloom. Some orchid enthusiasts already have buds on their Phalaenopsis orchids, or have purchased orchids with buds, looking forward to having a full pot of flowers during the winter and spring seasons. To ensure successful blooming of Phalaenopsis orchids, apart from temperature, it is also necessary to fertilize appropriately; otherwise, they may not bloom or may not achieve the desired effect. There are three key techniques to fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids, ensuring sufficient nutrients for green leaves without yellowing and flowers lasting over 200 days for a long viewing period.
Why is fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids important
Phalaenopsis orchids have a relatively small plant size, and it is not that easy to grow a new leaf, but they bloom profusely, with a large branch flowering for 100 to 200 days being common. Therefore, fertilizing is important during maintenance to avoid few flowers, short blooming periods, and dull colors. Especially during the bud formation period, insufficient nutrients can cause flower buds to fail to open, turning yellow and falling off early. Some Phalaenopsis orchids, due to weak plants and insufficient nutrient supply, may wither after flowering.
Methods for fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids
There are two methods for fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids: adding base fertilizer during planting and foliar spraying. Adding base fertilizer is only suitable during repotting or changing planting materials, while the most commonly used fertilizing method in daily maintenance is foliar spraying. There are two benefits to foliar spraying Phalaenopsis orchids: it does not easily damage the roots and it is easily absorbed, showing results quickly. Therefore, to grow Phalaenopsis orchids well, it is advisable to have some water-soluble foliar fertilizers on hand, as ordinary fertilizers are not very suitable for Phalaenopsis orchids.
Types of fertilizers for Phalaenopsis orchids
Like other flowering plants, when Phalaenopsis orchids finish flowering and start growing leaves, the fertilizer should mainly be nitrogen and compound fertilizers. In autumn and winter, when Phalaenopsis orchids start forming flower buds, the fertilizer should mainly be phosphorus-potassium and compound fertilizers. Now is a good time for Phalaenopsis orchids to form flower buds, and they should be fertilized with more phosphorus-potassium fertilizers when the temperature is suitable. If possible, it is best to buy some Phalaenopsis-specific fertilizers, as they will have better results. In addition to the three major elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, Phalaenopsis orchids also have a high demand for trace elements such as boron, zinc, and iron, which also have a significant impact on their growth.
What is the best fertilizer for Phalaenopsis orchids
Suitable temperature range for fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids are flowers that are not tolerant to low temperatures and prefer a warm growing environment. The suitable temperature for fertilizing should be between 15 and 32 degrees Celsius. Fertilizing should be stopped when the temperature is below 15 degrees or above 32 degrees. During the period when Phalaenopsis orchids are growing flower buds, it is best to maintain the temperature between 18 and 25 degrees, and the temperature difference between day and night should not exceed 10 degrees. Otherwise, the growth of flower buds will be slow, and even if the flower buds are large, they will not open or may fall off prematurely.
Techniques for fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids
1. Apply thin fertilizers frequently
The growth rate of Phalaenopsis orchid plants is slow, the roots are aerial roots, and they are not tolerant to fertilizers. Therefore, it is essential to follow the principle of applying thin fertilizers frequently, otherwise problems can easily occur. When fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids, the fertilizer concentration should be controlled between 3000 and 5000 times. For larger and stronger seedlings, a fertilizer solution of 3000 times can be used to supplement nutrients. For smaller and weaker seedlings, a fertilizer solution of 4000 to 5000 times can be used to supplement nutrients. Never use a fertilizer solution of 800 to 1000 times as you would with other plants, as this can burn the roots and turn the leaves yellow in just one or two applications. When the fertilizer concentration is properly controlled, you can fertilize once a week, which can meet the basic growth requirements.
2. Don't forget to spray the roots when fertilizing
When spraying fertilizer on Phalaenopsis orchids, make sure to spray both the front and back of the leaves, as well as the roots. Especially when there are roots exposed outside the planting material, treat them as leaves when fertilizing. Since Phalaenopsis orchids can absorb fertilizers through both leaves and roots, fully soaking the leaves and roots with the fertilizer solution will result in better growth and flowering ability. Some orchid enthusiasts only spray the leaves and not the roots when fertilizing, and the growth of their plants is not as good as those that are sprayed entirely.
3. Fertilize until the first flower opens
For many flowering plants, fertilizing should be stopped once the color of the flower buds is visible to prevent shortening the blooming period. However, Phalaenopsis orchids are different; they have a very long blooming period, and with proper care, they can bloom for 200 days without any problem. Therefore, when fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids, do not stop fertilizing as soon as you see flower buds, but continue to apply thin fertilizers under suitable temperatures until the first flower opens before stopping fertilization.