What is the best fertilizer for orchids anyway? It depends. Many gardeners are under the impression that any fertilizer will do. While it is true that the best fertilizer for orchids will contain all three nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth, they are far from being the only nutrients your plants need. If you’re not familiar with fertilizers in general, there are several things you should know before trying to apply fertilizer to your orchid plants.
The most common question about what is the best fertilizer for orchids is, “Do fertilizers work at all?” The short answer is, most orchids need fertilizer, however. What this means is that orchids need an equal balance of the three primary nutrients: nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. If the pH level in your orchid flower’s soil is too high (or if the nutrient levels in your soil are too low), then the roots will be deprived of nutrients. This will result in the blooming of fewer flowers.
You should know, however, that not all fertilizers work equally well with orchids. The most popular type of fertilizer for orchid use contains a chemical called NPK. What this chemical does is draw out and store excess moisture in the soil, much like the human body stores excess water in the cells of the body. If you planted your orchid flower in a completely natural environment,NPK would not be necessary. However, if you transplant your orchids into a very artificial environment, like a potting bench made of fiberglass, then NPK is very beneficial.
There are several other types of fertilizers that work well to fertilize orchid leaves. Potassium is often used, as it is found in many common plant foods and because it is a much cheaper compound than nitrogen. Nitrogen is more expensive, but much more effective when applied to the leaves of the orchid. Nitrates, on the other hand, are more expensive than potassium and are toxic to the orchid. Therefore, you must fertilize orchid leaves with either potassium, nitrogen, or phosphate instead of just potassium alone.
In addition to the best fertilizer for orchids, you should also take care of your plants by providing the right amount of light, humidity, water, and temperature. A healthy plant always needs the appropriate amount of light, especially during the dormant period. It requires a bit more water than other flowers because it spends a lot of time out of the sun, so it is important to keep the humidity of the area where your orchids are located at around 60 percent.
On the topic of light, the best fertilizer for orchids will provide them with the levels of it they need to grow healthily. When you fertilize your orchids, make sure to do so at least two weeks during the day and then use a light powder to fill up the pots. Then, move your potted plants inside at night. On days when there is no wind, allow your orchids to soak up as much sun as possible, but remember to move them inside at night as well.
Your best fertilizer for orchids will provide them with the nutrients they need, but it will also be slow-release fertilizer that is safe for your plant to absorb into its tissues. The slow-release fertilizer will help give your flower an organic, slow release of nutrients that it can use without being quickly used up by the roots. Slow-release fertilizers are ideal fertilizer for long-lasting blooms of your orchid.
Remember that your plants’ health and blooms depend on what you feed them. Whether you’re looking for fast-release fertilizers that will help your plants grow stronger and more vibrant or slow-release fertilizers that provide the right amounts of nutrients your plants need, consider the above tips before buying any fertilizer. You can find many fertilizers online and at garden stores, but never forget that the most ideal fertilizers for orchids are those that provide the right amounts of nutrition and which have been designed specifically for orchid plants.
