The keys to essential maintenance for orchids are sunlight and water. However, for orchid plants do indeed perform well and bloom vigorously, suitable orchid plant organic fertilizers are imperative.
What's the Best Orchid Fertilizer
Elements Fertilizer
Nitrogen is essential for increased chlorophyll, which promotes proper leaf and stem development.
Note, You’d better choose Ammoniacal Nitrogen or Nitrate Nitrogen. Unlike urea (can’t be well absorbed by orchids), recent studies have shown that these compounds are more suitable for orchids growth. And nitrogen content should not be excessive. Otherwise, it will affect the flowering.
Potassium helps to produce healthy leaf tissue. And is mainly responsible for the control of flower and fruit development. Phosphorus is excellent for healthy roots and aids in orchid blooming.
As Orchid Fertilizer, the best npk ratio is 20-20-20 or 10-10-10.
Also, Calcium and magnesium are micronutrients that your orchid needs. Orchids use calcium to build cell walls and other structures, and magnesium is used to produce chlorophyll for metabolic processes.
Organic Bio Orchid Fertilizer
Organic bio orchid fertilizer has the role of root disease control, soil conditioner, resistance ability enhancer.
They contain beneficial microorganisms such as Trichoderma, Bacillus subtilis. They can produce a variety of bacteriostatic, insecticidal substances to antagonize & against pathogens. It also can help growers reduce the use of pesticides.
Compared with conventional NPK fertilizers, in addition to NPK elements, organic orchid fertilizers also contain natural plant growth regulators and various trace elements. Increase root system development and promote flowering.
As orchid is a delicate plant, too much pesticide residue will hurt orchid. So environment-friendly fertilizer is more suitable.
Cautions of Using Orchid Fertilizer
Fertilizer should be used at half-strength, making it with an equal amount of water before applying it to your orchid. To avoid burning the orchid’s leaves, do not pour fertilizer directly over the plant. Do not water your orchid during the weeks when you fertilize it.
Can I use orchid fertilizer on other plants?
Orchids and non-orchid plants are not fundamentally different. Orchid fertilizers usually have a higher concentration. So you must dilute them for other plants that require a lower intake rate.