What is the best fertilizer for Phalaenopsis orchids
The topic brought by the editor is about the best fertilizer for Phalaenopsis orchids and some tips for caring for them. Let's follow the editor and take a look at the specific content!
Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the important flowers for the Chinese New Year season, with a large number of them being available from autumn each year. Properly cared for, their flowering period can last over 200 days. Well-maintained Phalaenopsis orchids that have already bloomed are relatively easy to rebloom. Some orchid enthusiasts already have buds on their Phalaenopsis orchids, or have purchased orchids with buds, hoping to have a full bloom in winter and spring. To ensure that Phalaenopsis orchids bloom smoothly, aside from temperature, it is also necessary to fertilize them properly, otherwise they may not bloom, or not achieve the desired effect. There are 3 key techniques to fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids, ensuring sufficient nutrients for green leaves without yellowing, and blooms lasting over 200 days for a longer viewing period.
Why is it important to fertilize Phalaenopsis orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids have a relatively small plant size, and it's not that easy to grow a new leaf, but they bloom very profusely, with a large branch of flowers lasting for one or two hundred days being common. Therefore, it is important to fertilize them during maintenance, otherwise they may bloom less, have a short flowering period, or have dull colors. Especially during the period of bud formation, insufficient nutrients can cause flower buds to fail to open, turning yellow and falling off early. Some Phalaenopsis orchids, due to being too weak and not receiving enough nutrient supply, may die off after blooming.
Methods for fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids
There are two methods for fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids, one is adding a base fertilizer during planting, and the other is foliar feeding. Adding base fertilizer is only suitable for repotting or changing potting mix, while the most commonly used method for daily maintenance is foliar feeding. There are two benefits to foliar feeding Phalaenopsis orchids: it does not easily damage the roots, and it is absorbed well, 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, after Phalaenopsis orchids finish flowering and start growing leaves, the fertilizer should be mainly nitrogen and compound fertilizers. In autumn and winter, when Phalaenopsis orchids start forming flower buds and preparing to bloom, the fertilizer should be mainly phosphorus-potassium and compound fertilizers. It is currently a good time for Phalaenopsis orchids to form flower buds, and they should be given more phosphorus-potassium fertilizers when the temperature is appropriate. If possible, it is best to buy some specialized Phalaenopsis orchid fertilizer, as it will have better results. Phalaenopsis orchids, in addition to needing the three major elements of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, 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 not tolerant to low temperatures and prefer a warm growing environment. The suitable temperature for fertilizing should be between 15 to 32 degrees Celsius. Fertilizing should be stopped when the temperature is below 15 degrees or above 32 degrees. During the period of flower bud growth, it is best to keep the temperature between 18 to 25 degrees, with the day-night temperature difference not exceeding 10 degrees. Otherwise, flower bud growth will be slow, and even large flower buds may fail to open or fall off prematurely.
Tips for fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids
1. Apply thin fertilizers frequently
Phalaenopsis orchids have a slow growth rate, and their aerial roots are not very tolerant to fertilizers, so it is essential to follow the principle of applying thin fertilizers frequently, otherwise it is very easy to encounter problems. When fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids, the fertilizer concentration should be controlled between 3000 to 5000 times. For larger, stronger plants, a 3000-fold fertilizer solution can be used to supplement nutrients. For smaller, weaker plants, a 4000 to 5000-fold fertilizer solution can be used. Do not use a concentration of 800 to 1000 times as you might with other plants, as it can easily burn the roots and cause yellowing of the leaves. With the right concentration control, you can fertilize Phalaenopsis orchids once a week to ensure their basic growth needs.
2. Don't forget to spray the roots
When spraying fertilizer solution on Phalaenopsis orchids, make sure to spray both sides of the leaves as well as the roots. Especially when some roots are exposed outside the potting mix, treat them as leaves when fertilizing. Since Phalaenopsis orchids can absorb fertilizers through both their leaves and roots, thoroughly wetting both with the fertilizer solution will result in better absorption and growth, as well as better blooming ability. Some orchid enthusiasts only spray the leaves and not the roots when fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids, and their plants do not grow as well as those that are sprayed entirely.