How do you feed your Orchids?

Everyone has a method.... What is yours???

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Diane

"NA BEAN DO'N CHAT GUN LAMHAINN"

I haven't a hard and fast rule. I'm always experimenting, and very careful about identifying the plants that are salt intolerant. I've scorched several with fert burn.

Time release fert provides some nourishment when I get behind on regular fertilizing with Growmore fert. Seaweed extract contains lots of interesting nutrients and some growth hormones. I've lightened up on the Superthrive, after reading some question as to how beneficial it is to orchids. Epsom salts for Ca and Mg lightly once every month or two.

And for some of my Paphs from limestone cliff habitats, I'll add a bit of dolomite lime every 4-6 months.

Julie

I use a three week cycle of feeding. Week one I use a light feeding of Folage Pro. Week two I use a light feeding of a bloom booster feed. Week three I use a special mixture: 2tbls super thrive, 1 can beer, 1 cup epsom salt, 1/2 cup ammonia, 2 cups water. After the initial batch is made I use 1/2 ounce per gallon of water. Generally week four I just water through the week to prevent salt build up.

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Aaron
“... Me? I’m not off for anywhere at all.
Sometimes I wander out of beaten ways
Half looking for the orchid Calypso.”]Robert Frost

Ah! Yes, the famous recipe.. abeit with superthrive added!

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Diane

"NA BEAN DO'N CHAT GUN LAMHAINN"

I tested it out for 6 months on a certain section of plants before I brought it into full use on all of the plants, and there was a noticable difference in growth on the plants that I had used it on.

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Aaron
“... Me? I’m not off for anywhere at all.
Sometimes I wander out of beaten ways
Half looking for the orchid Calypso.”]Robert Frost

I fert one week with Orchid fert, and flush for the next few (when they need water), then fert again.

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All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

-J.R.R. Tolkien, LOTR, Fellowship of the Ring

Aaron, are there any plants that didn't like your voodoo recipe? And do you grow Paphs and Phrags with it? Did salt intolerant plants react well to it? And do you use cheap beer, or microbrews?

Julie

I don't have any plants that have reacted badly to the one fert. Although, I only have two paphs and one phrag. I use Budwieser as the beer. Nothing special. I was a bit sceptical of it at first because of the addition of the epsom salt, but everything I grow seems to like it. I only use the one fert in the summer growing months because we get alot of rain, so the pots can get flushed well.

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Aaron
“... Me? I’m not off for anywhere at all.
Sometimes I wander out of beaten ways
Half looking for the orchid Calypso.”]Robert Frost

Hmm...beer for thought!

Julie

Wow! Beer & ammonia, who would've guessed..... sounds more like a recipe for a bomb
We've been having rain everyday lately, should I use it more than once a month? All my orchids are outside.