The Right Orchid Food
Most of what is referred to as orchid food is really nothing more than fertilizer that has been put together specifically for orchid plants. Since there are many different kinds of orchids, there are many different kinds of fertilizer for orchids. You should know what kind of orchid you have and what types of fertilizers you will need for it. Researching will help you determine your fertilizer needs. You may also want to check with your local nursery or garden center for fertilizer tips and options. Florists may also be able to help you in caring for your orchid.
The environment created by your house or greenhouse will play a role in what type of fertilizer you need for your plant. When they are growing wild, orchids provide for themselves by pulling nutrients from dead and decomposing waste that is around them. Orchid roots often spread out from the plant to aid in acquiring the necessary minerals for the plant. Rainwater is full of minerals that are good for orchids. Birds and animals often leave droppings where an orchid can absorb any nutrients it needs. Decomposing leaves exist all over and provide sustenance for some orchid plants. The nutrients gained by an orchid in nature should match the nutrients in the fertilizer. You want to aim for a combination of potassium, phosphorous, nitrogen and smaller amounts of other minerals and nutrients.
The nutrients in fertilizer specifically designed for orchids each address a key stage of orchid growth. Nitrogen is most important to new growth of an orchid, while potassium and phosphorous are necessary at later stages. Nitrogen helps the plant to grow its vegetation. Nitrogen may be necessary in higher doses if your orchid is potted with bark, as decomposing bark uses up a lot of nitrogen. Potassium encourages the flowers to open and the fruit to ripen. Phosphorous allows the orchid to produce plentiful blossoms. If an orchid fertilizer does not have at least these three elements, it is probably not appropriate for your orchid. Follow a fertilizing regimen strictly. If you give your orchid too much fertilizer, you will cause permanent damage to the roots and kill the plant. Not fertilizing enough will leave you with a dull orchid that hardly blooms. Obviously, insufficient fertilizing can be corrected to produce a healthy orchid. Over fertilizing is irreversible. Find an orchid food that is right for your orchid and stick with a fertilizing schedule.
The environment created by your house or greenhouse will play a role in what type of fertilizer you need for your plant. When they are growing wild, orchids provide for themselves by pulling nutrients from dead and decomposing waste that is around them. Orchid roots often spread out from the plant to aid in acquiring the necessary minerals for the plant. Rainwater is full of minerals that are good for orchids. Birds and animals often leave droppings where an orchid can absorb any nutrients it needs. Decomposing leaves exist all over and provide sustenance for some orchid plants. The nutrients gained by an orchid in nature should match the nutrients in the fertilizer. You want to aim for a combination of potassium, phosphorous, nitrogen and smaller amounts of other minerals and nutrients.
The nutrients in fertilizer specifically designed for orchids each address a key stage of orchid growth. Nitrogen is most important to new growth of an orchid, while potassium and phosphorous are necessary at later stages. Nitrogen helps the plant to grow its vegetation. Nitrogen may be necessary in higher doses if your orchid is potted with bark, as decomposing bark uses up a lot of nitrogen. Potassium encourages the flowers to open and the fruit to ripen. Phosphorous allows the orchid to produce plentiful blossoms. If an orchid fertilizer does not have at least these three elements, it is probably not appropriate for your orchid. Follow a fertilizing regimen strictly. If you give your orchid too much fertilizer, you will cause permanent damage to the roots and kill the plant. Not fertilizing enough will leave you with a dull orchid that hardly blooms. Obviously, insufficient fertilizing can be corrected to produce a healthy orchid. Over fertilizing is irreversible. Find an orchid food that is right for your orchid and stick with a fertilizing schedule.
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