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Thread: Fertilize while in bloom?

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  1. #1
    Real Name
    Danny
    My Grow Area
    On a Windowsill.
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    er...All of them?
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    Apr 2009
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    Durham, England
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    Default Fertilize while in bloom?

    Hi all, hope everyones weekend is going well!

    What do people think about fertilizing their orchids while they are in bloom? I have read conflicting advice.....some people don't even water when in bloom, let alone fertilize! Are we supposed to, or does it really cause problems?

  2. #2
    My Grow Area
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    Oncidium alliance
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    Hamburg, Germany
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    Default

    Well, I certainly wouldn't refrain from watering while in bloom - especially for the ones that bloom for a long time (I have a phal that has had blooms since October!) that would be quite a death sentence. I water as usual when blooming.

    I am the type that fertilizes when I please, so I may not be the most scientific person to compare to, but I also don't go entirely fertilizer-free while blooming. Though I do cut back a bit - not as often and less strong. I try to focus fertilizing on active growth periods and most of mine aren't growing as actively anyway while flowering.

    Just my 2 cents. Though I am sure there are others with more experience here!

  3. #3
    Real Name
    Bruce Brown
    My Grow Area
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    Cattleyas & Slippers
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    Mar 2003
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    Default

    We continually feed and water year round in bloom or not. In the winter months, we cut back on the feed and water schedule, but it still happens. Some orchids go dormant and we just skip over them during the winter, but for the most part, I believe it is better to keep your orchids on a schedule. Some people feed their plants like we do - every other watering at a 1/4 percent mixture. Some feed only once a month.

    If possible, just avoid getting water or fertilizer on your blooms.

    Cheers,
    BD

  4. #4
    Real Name
    Joe
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    Den. phalaenopsis
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    Jun 2008
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    McHenry Co. Illinois
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    "avoid getting water or fertilizer on your blooms"

    because it tends to blotch/spot up the petals and sepals and spoils the vewing pleasure

  5. #5
    Real Name
    Cindi
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    Under Lights
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    Catts
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    Nov 2007
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    Central Iowa
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    I'm lazy! I am using the time release fertilizers, so only water with plain water. Don't have to stop and figure out when the last feeding was or ghow much is only 1/4 strength. I am a mental math pygmy, so it is refreshing not to have to put non-existant skills to work.

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