Fertilizing and spikes

[Miller]

So my Sharry Baby with the 9 spikes has begun sending out side shoots from the main spikes. No buds as of yet so I was wondering If I can still offer fertilizer? I have both bloom boost and reg fert.

thoughts?

[Halloamey]

I would continue fertilizing the way it has been, except do not give a foliar feed if you were spraying the leaves as this can damage the developing buds. In general do not give more than 100 ppm of NPK. (that would be 1 gm/litre of 10:10:10)

[sand_tiger86]

Oh, I have a feeling this is going to boil down to "it's up to you". There are many varied opinions on whether or not you should continue to fertilize, and what kind to use if you do, while an orchid is spiking.

[Miller]

Thanks Halloamey. Kelly, I know there are different opinions on the subject. I think "most" say don't fertilize but my confusion is at what point to stop. Do I stop after spiking or budding? I continued fertilizing one of my spider orchids recently and I lost five buds out of twelve, I was not a happy camper!

Miller

Oh, I have a feeling this is going to boil down to "it's up to you". There are many varied opinions on whether or not you should continue to fertilize, and what kind to use if you do, while an orchid is spiking.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I continually fertilize with ever other watering. Water once, feed once - then repeat. JMHO

cheers,
BD

[King Kjeldz]

continue weakly weekly as usual...as Sandtiger says its up to u really...i personally wud alternate with bloom booster and growth

[tucker85]

Since your orchid initiated a spike when you were fertilizing regularly, I think you can continue the same routine while it's in spike and bud. It won't hurt the plant to stop fertilizing while it's blooming but it's not necessary in my opinion. I don't think there's any reason to use a bloom booster fertilizer after an orchid has already begun to spike. Bloom boosters are formulated to shock a plant into initiating the blooming cycle. The only fertilizer you may want to limit during blooming would be very high nitrogen fertilizers. I think your best bet is to continue the same fertilizing routine that you've been using all along. Your plant is already used to that. Good luck.

[Halloamey]

If done correctly, I do not think fertilizing can make a plant loose its buds.

Thanks Halloamey. Kelly, I know there are different opinions on the subject. I think "most" say don't fertilize but my confusion is at what point to stop. Do I stop after spiking or budding? I continued fertilizing one of my spider orchids recently and I lost five buds out of twelve, I was not a happy camper!

Miller

[Miller]

Yea, I am sure it was not weak enough, I've learned my lesson.

[cakedaddy]

I fertilize just the same while in spike...I DO ALWAYS fertilize weakly. Even if I've been busy and missed a week. Still weakly. I don't try to make up for the lost time. I also usually just stick to a balanced formula instead of going to bloom boosters or anything. That being said, I do mix up my additives, but all plants get the same, spikes or not.
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