Healthy Orchids Depend On Potting Medium and Fertilizer

For your orchid to stay healthy and achieve good bloom development, it needs to be fertilized. With so many fertilizers out there, how do you know which one to use? Although orchids are accepted as houseplants, it is not a good idea to fertilize your orchid with the same plant food that you give to your regular plants. But before figuring out which fertilizer to use, let's take a look at the potting medium.

Potting medium is the material you use to plant your orchid in its pot. It is not the same as potting soil that you use for regular houseplants. Since orchids are known to be delicate and have special needs, Gingher shears it follows that they also require a special potting medium. Two types of products can be used for the potting medium. The first is tree bark which can be either fir or pine trees. The second type is peat moss. The tree bark and peat moss can be combined together to form the potting medium. It has density and can hold moisture and nutrients that the plant needs. In addition this kind of medium will also allow the roots to breathe which is necessary to allow them to thoroughly dry between waterings and feedings.

When you have the potting medium established, you can then determine which fertilizer to use. Fertilizer is labeled based upon three primary ingredients: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potash. The label will look something like this, 20-20-20, or 30-10-10. Each number represents the percent or ratio of the ingredient to the total. So 20-20-20 means that there is 20% nitrogen, then 20% phosphorous, and 20% potash. The three ingredients are always in this order.

Each primary ingredient will encourage a specific plant characteristic. For example, nitrogen will promote plant growth and keeps the plant healthy and shiny. Phosphorous is excellent for bloom development and good root growth. And potash is used to fight off diseases and encourage overall plant health.

Which fertilizer you use ultimately depends on your orchid species. But some general guidelines can be outlined. Use a balanced fertilizer that best fits the needs of your orchid. A balanced fertilizer is one with a label that has all the same values for the three primary ingredients, for example, 20-20-20. Water your orchid plant first. Then a little while later fertilize your orchid with a solution that is about 1/3 the strength of what is recommended. You can fertilize, in general, on every other watering. Around blooming season, you may need to feed a bit more often. But the most important thing is to follow a regular schedule of fertilizing. Your orchid will receive the nutrients it needs to maintain its healthy appearance and wonderful blooms throughout the season.

Zack Ryan is an orchid enthusiast. For more great tips on orchids click on orchid food or visit http://orchidharvestsecrets.com