How to fertilize orchids during flowering? Professional Tips

Orchid is a flower quite popular due to its unusual and exotic appearance. In addition, this plant is a symbol of perfection and harmony, therefore it is often presented.

Caring for it requires a special approach. In this article we will talk about the fertilizer of this beauty. Is it possible to fertilize a blooming orchid, how to help it bloom? How to do it right? How to feed an orchid during flowering on the street and at home.

Can I fertilize?

An orchid can be fertilized, but only at the right time:

1. In the spring, when the plant grows and gains strength for flowering.
2. In summer, if the leaves continue to grow, but only until the first bud appears.
3. With the onset of flowering, root dressing is replaced by foliar.
4. In autumn, while the plant is still blooming, it is possible to fertilize only by leaves and aerial roots.
5. In winter, the orchid needs peace, therefore, as soon as the plant has stopped growth, it is no longer worth fertilizing.

Is there any need to do this?

Despite the fact that the orchid grows in a small volume of not very fertile soil, it still needs additional top dressing.

To avoid this, it is necessary to make the necessary fertilizers in a timely manner. Besides for lush flowering, the introduction of phosphorus and potassium is necessary. For the growth and development of shoots and leaves, nitrogen is needed.

There are some prohibitions:

• Do not apply root dressings to a weakened plant!
• You can not feed the orchid immediately after transplantation! Only when the plant adapts in about a month.
• You can’t fertilize a plant you just bought! Wait until the flowering ends, the orchid should get used to a new place.
• You can not apply fertilizer under the root during the period of active flowering! Only foliar top dressing on leaves and external roots.
• You can not fertilize plants during very hot weather and the active scorching sun!

What are the consequences of top dressing during flowering?

Let's see right away: during flowering, only root dressing is prohibited. If you ignore this rule, the orchid may discard existing flowers and not form new buds. We continue to add foliar top dressings. Otherwise, you can come to the opposite effect in the form of leaf chlorosis.

Why can not be fed during the flowering period? The fact is that the orchid has already accumulated everything necessary before the appearance of the peduncle. During the flowering period, it proceeds to the expenditure of previously accumulated energy. By fertilizing under the root, we provoke the rejection of flowering in favor of assimilation of fertilizers.

What to choose for a flowering plant?

As already mentioned, during the flowering period we use only foliar top dressing. Now it's time to figure out which fertilizers should be applied.

At home

Possible options

1. Universal complex fertilizers for flowering plants only if you really need and nothing else. Water for dilution must be taken 3 times more, so that the solution is less concentrated.
2. Liquid fertilizer for orchids - This is a great option. Only to breed fertilizer for feeding a blooming orchid you need a double volume of water compared to the recommendations in the instructions. A good option is Bona Forte for orchids, the price of a 285 ml bottle is 140-180 rubles.
3. There are special fertilizer solutions for foliar orchid dressing. They are available in the form of sprays. It is very convenient to use.Reference. Means of "Orchid Myst" in English, 300 ml will cost from 550. There are Russian counterparts, for example, Effect, 400 ml of which cost about 170 rubles.

What top dressing is not suitable

• Tablets and sticks for soil for orchids are unacceptable. In the soil for our beauty, they will be distributed unevenly. High concentration areas can damage the roots.
• Various folk methods can harm the plant. Orchid is a very delicate plant, and requires careful observance of concentration.
• It is better not to use universal systems, only as a last resort.

On the street

In the open field, the orchid does not need fertilizer so much, but those types of fertilizers are quite acceptable, as for indoor copies. For example, you can use Bion Flora fertilizer for orchids during flowering. The price of a 200 ml bottle is 110 rubles.

Detailed instructions

Let’s take a look at the steps of feeding the house and the street.

In room

At home, we do the following:

1. We fertilize 2 times a month, this is enough.
2. We breed the right amount of fertilizer.
3. For foliar top dressing, you need a concentration of fertilizer half the usual.
4. Pour the solution into the spray gun.
5. The spray gun should be such that it gives not a stream, but a lot of small droplets.
6. Shake the bottle before spraying, so as not to get in the end a more concentrated fertilizer that can burn the plant.
7. Evenly spray the leaves on both sides, slightly spray the aerial roots. Strongly wet them is not worth it.
8. Do not spray the flowers, the base of the shoots and the growth point.
9. Feeding should be done in the morning or in the evening.
10. You can not put an orchid after spraying under the sun.Important! Leaves should dry to avoid burns.
11. It is possible to do foliar top dressing only in a warm room, the air temperature is from 18 to 26 degrees.
12. Water for the preparation of the solution should be warmer than the air temperature by a couple of degrees.
13. Water should be soft, settled.

In the open ground

On the street we fertilize like this:

1. We prepare a solution of warm water (about 20 degrees) and half the fertilizer norm for orchids.
2. Pour the prepared nutrient fluid into the spray gun.
3. Shake the solution again before application.
4. We spray only sheet plates on both sides.
5. We carry out foliar top dressing either in the morning, so that the leaves have time to dry before midday heat. Or we do it during the day in cloudy weather.
6. In the evening, spraying an orchid is extremely undesirable, otherwise at low night temperatures this will lead to diseases.
7. Feeding can be done twice a month.

Root feed

At the same time, we will consider the process of root dressing, which we will need before flowering in the spring. How to apply fertilizer under the root:

1. Before feeding, you need to water the soil in a pot. Moist soil and moisture-saturated roots will guarantee no burns.
2. Dilute liquid fertilizer for orchids in accordance with the instructions. Mix well.
3. Pour the solution into a wide bowl so that the pot or pots fit freely.
4. Put orchids in this water for 20-25 minutes.
5. Pour a small amount of solution over the surface of the soil.
6. Over time, the pot must be placed in a dry tray to drain excess moisture.
7. To prepare the solution we use only soft water.Reference. If the water is hard, it must first be boiled.
8. Water temperature should be slightly higher than room temperature.
9. After the completion of the process, the orchid can not be immediately placed in direct sunlight.

Useful video

Feeding orchids. When to fertilize them:

Conclusion

Orchids are capricious plants, and the process of their fertilizer must be treated carefully. As experienced flower growers say: "It’s better not to overfeed than to overfeed." Not without reason in wildlife this flower chooses meager soil composition. Care properly, do not forget about the right soil, which is also a battery. And your orchids will delight you for many years.

Watch the video: All about Orchid fertilizers - Video request! (December 2024).