Fertilizer for phalaenopsis orchids: when and with what should a plant be fed at home, and also how to do it correctly

Feeding is an essential aspect of caring for any home plant. The substances that make up the fertilizer provide all the substances necessary for the growth and development.

Feeding is especially important during periods when phalaenopsis grows, as the energy consumption of the plant increases at this time. Consider when and how to feed an orchid at home and whether it needs top dressing during flowering. We also recommend watching a useful video on this topic.

What is fertilizer?

Fertilizers - substances used to improve plant nutrition, soil properties, increase yields. Their effect is due to the fact that these substances provide plants with one or more scarce chemical components necessary for their normal growth and development.

ATTENTION: Fertilization refers to the use of mineral elements and fertilizers to improve soil quality.

Fertilizers are classified according to the following criteria:

fertilizer composition;
state of aggregation;
mode of action;
mode of application;
effect on plants.

Besides, fertilizers are often divided into simple and complex. The simple ones are those that contain only one substance (phosphoric, potassium, calcareous). Complex substances have a wider composition. The most common type of such substances are organic fertilizers (biohumus, manure, humus, peat). Their use leads to a better effect than in the case of simple fertilizers.

Why do you need to periodically feed the plant?

First of all, categorically it is not recommended to do top dressing of an orchid often. The best solution is to fertilize the soil only in accordance with certain stages of the development of phalaenopsis.

Fertilizing the soil improves its qualities that affect the development of plants in it. The substances that make up the fertilizer provide plants growing in a given soil with the elements necessary for growth.

Using the right fertilizers at the right time will allow Phalaenopsis to not only grow faster, but also reduce the risk of root system diseases. Also, the substances contained in fertilizers will allow the roots of the orchid to avoid rotting.

How often and when should this be done?

Fertilizing orchids is recommended after the first flowering. In no case can you do top dressing immediately after transplantation, as this can cause stress in the plant, which can subsequently lead to its death.

In addition, if the orchid blooms for a long time or repeated flowering develops from sleeping buds, it is worth feeding. After this, it is not recommended to re-fertilize the soil within three to four months.

What is possible and what is not?

The best choice for phalaenopsis will be a complex fertilizer produced specifically for this type of orchid. Such substances are created specifically for certain stages of plant development and ideally meet the requirements of orchids.

If you can’t find such fertilizers, then you can use complex mineral fertilizers for indoor plants. But pay attention to whether nitrogen is contained in such a substance - with frequent bait, it can damage the orchid. When feeding an orchid in this way, you should use only 1/3 - 1/4 of the dose indicated on the package.

TIP: For phalaenopsis, in no case should you use fertilizers in the form of tablets or sticks. Such top dressing may not be correctly distributed on the substrate. In addition, using such substances you will not be able to control the dose of fertilizers.

Drug Overview

Feeding agents can be sold in a variety of forms:

in liquid form;
in the form of sticks;
pills
granules;
powders.
"Folk" fertilizers.

It is extremely desirable to choose a liquid remedy for feeding phalaenoposis. You should pay particular attention to the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium when choosing a fertilizer (as a rule, NPK and the percentage of each element in the composition are indicated on the label (NPK - 7-6-3 means 7% nitrogen, 6% phosphorus and 3% potassium)).

Remember that a high nitrogen content will not allow you to use the fertilizer all year round. It is best to choose a product with a predominant potassium content. The dosage should be as recommended by the manufacturer (it is indicated on the package).

An ideal option for phalaenopsis would be special complex fertilizers for orchids.

Chemical

Chemical fertilizers are usually a complex of salts. Chemical fertilizers are recommended for feeding orchids.

As a rule, they are:

instant mineral fertilizers;
liquid mineral fertilizers.

Watch a video about chemical fertilizers for orchids:

Folk

These bait products include organic substances. The main types:

humus;
humus;
manure;
compost.

For fertilizing phalaenopsis, such fertilizers are not suitable for regular use, as they can harm the orchid.

Step-by-step instructions on how to properly feed a plant at home

Before the buds

To extend the flowering period, the orchid should be fed a few weeks before budding. Top dressing during this period is a mandatory measure in the care of orchids. It will allow the plant to maintain a maximum of vitality and will positively affect the growth of buds.

Instruction:

Before top dressing, the plant should be watered.
Place the orchid in a bowl of water and leave it there until the roots get wet.
Add fertilizer to the water following the recommended dosage.
Leave the orchid in solution for 10-20 minutes.
Place the orchid in a permanent place. In this case, make sure that the fertilizer solution does not remain in the flowerpot or saucer under the flowerpot.

During flowering

During flowering, it is very important not to overfeed the phalaenopsis.. Therefore, during this period, extreme care must be taken to properly fertilize, or not to fertilize the plant at all.

It is also recommended to use smaller doses of feed for this period. It is necessary to water the plant several days before top dressing. If you nevertheless decided that there is a need to feed phalaenopsis during its flowering, then follow the following instructions:

Dilute the required dose of fertilizer in water (recommended dose of 300 ml of water per 1 ml of liquid fertilizer).
Place the phalaenopsis pot in a transparent container (its diameter should be about 2 centimeters larger than the diameter of the pot).
Pour a solution of dressing in the resulting gap and leave for 10-20 minutes.
Make sure that there is no solution left on the pot after top dressing.

During rest

IMPORTANT: Fertilizer must be applied within a week after flowering. This period is characterized as the resting period of the plant. Phalaenopsis has given up most of its strength and requires additional nutrition.

During dormancy, it is especially recommended to use special complex fertilizers for orchids. For direct feeding, the same method that was used to fertilize the flowering phalaenopsis is best suited.

Watch a video about feeding orchids:

Possible problems and solutions

Feeding orchids is a very delicate process. Inexperienced flower growers often make a number of mistakes, such as:

fertilization in dry soil;
overfeeding;
improperly selected feeding period;
top dressing of sick plants;
improperly prepared solution.

Usually, mistakes in feeding orchids lead to diseases, cessation of flowering, root burns and even the death of the plant. The main damage from improper feeding falls mainly on the roots. Thus, if you notice that the color of the roots has become unhealthy, you should:

Pull the plant out of the pot.
Fully inspect the root system.
Carefully remove dead roots, taking care not to damage the integrity of the land coma.
Transplant the plant into a pot, the size of which should be slightly smaller than the size of the previous one.
Treat the root system with a fungicide solution.
Reduce the aerial part of the plant. The magnitude of the reduced portion of the plant's growth should be directly proportional to the decrease in the root system.

If the plant has recovered and continued to grow, you can fertilize it.

Watch a video about orchid overfilled with fertilizers and how to solve the problem:

Conclusion

The main thing in the process of feeding phalaenopsis is extreme caution, observing the necessary dates and doses of fertilizers. Remember, it is better to underfeed the plant than to overfeed it.