Orchid Fertilizer And Nutrition, It's All In The Food!
Though
the environment can provide orchids the minerals that they badly
need, there are still some minerals that are easily depleted and need
to be
replenished. The three primary macronutrients are: nitrogen (N),
phosphorus
(P), and potassium (K). Growers differ in the fertilizer compositions
and
regiments they employ.
Inorganic
fertilizers that combine mineral salts and are soluble in water are the
easiest
to use and most commonly available.
Fertilization and
Flowering
Orchids use the energy
that comes
from the sun to convert minerals into sugars and starches to produce
their own
shoots and leaves. They obtain their food primarily through their
roots. It is
more necessary, then, to provide the correct nutrition at the
appropriate time
in the orchid’s growing cycle to achieve their optimum
blooming potential.
Orchids, usually grown in media such as bark that offers no nutritional
value,
need a comprehensive feeding program that is necessary for proper orchid care
and
maintenance.
Nutritional Needs
The
mineral nutrition of your plants should be taken note of, as well as
the
combination of water and the fertilizer you need to add. With a lack of
mineral
supplements, the orchids experience growth reduction, premature falling
of
leaves and non-flowering.
This is the
reason we must pay close attention to the signs of deficiency or
excessive
mineral feeding in all kinds of orchids,
as they can cause abnormalities and
deformities in
the plants.
Fertilization and Dormancy
Orchids
also have dormant phases and dry seasons.
Water and
fertilizer should be reduced in these months because orchids will have
no use
for them.
The
development
of orchids during this time rises or falls depending on whether the
supply of
elements is increased or decreased.
For instance, two nutrients
are responsible for limiting plant growth,
and adding only one of them will result in a minimal
outcome.
On
the other hand, applying both equally
will result in a considerable increase in growth.
Types
of
Fertilizers
The
fertilizers available to the orchid growers
fall into two broad categories: organic and non-organic products. There
are two
types of fertilizers available:
the
organic, which comes from the remains or by-product of organisms;
and
inorganic, which are
synthetic and are technically formulated to provide
needed minerals at the right time.Orchids also need supplemental nutrition, there are so many ways to provide for their needs. By now you should already have a good grasp on what they require