Orchids should be fertilized according to their different developmental stages
Orchids have different fertilizer requirements at different growth stages. Practice has shown that only by fertilizing according to the developmental stage can good fertilizer results be achieved and side effects be prevented. Dormant period: winter is the dormant period for orchid growth. At this time, fertilizing is generally not advisable. If fertilizer is applied, it instead disrupts the orchid's necessary dormancy and induces late-winter and early-spring buds, and these early-sprouting buds, unable to withstand low-temperature freeze damage, die, seriously reducing the germination rate the following spring. If the goal is to improve the plant's stress resistance, in early winter a 600-fold to 800-fold solution of monopotassium phosphate and multi-element micronutrient fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaves in the evening, once a week, for 2 to 3 consecutive times.
Orchids have different fertilizer requirements at different growth stages. Practice has shown that only by fertilizing according to the developmental stage can good fertilizer results be achieved and side effects be prevented.
Dormant period: winter is the dormant period for orchid growth. At this time, fertilizing is generally not advisable. If fertilizer is applied, it instead disrupts the orchid's necessary dormancy and induces late-winter and early-spring buds, and these early-sprouting buds, unable to withstand low-temperature freeze damage, die, seriously reducing the germination rate the following spring. If the goal is to improve the plant's stress resistance, in early winter a 600-fold to 800-fold solution of monopotassium phosphate and multi-element micronutrient fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaves in the evening, once a week, for 2 to 3 consecutive times.
Sprouting period: as spring temperatures rise, orchids awaken from dormancy and begin to sprout. At this time, sprouting fertilizer should be applied, commonly a 2% potassium sulfate compound fertilizer solution poured at the roots. If cooked bone meal and decomposed oil residue cake fertilizer are to be mixed in, the concentration of the potassium sulfate compound fertilizer solution should be reduced to 1%, applied once every 15 days. At the same time, apply foliar fertilizer once a week with a 1% monopotassium phosphate solution, into which growth regulators such as "Shibaole" and "Zhibaosu" can be mixed.
Growth period: this stage requires more nitrogen. The types of fertilizer used are the same as in the sprouting period. To increase the proportion of nitrogen, 3% to 6% decomposed human manure urine can be added and poured at the roots, and the fertilizing interval can be shortened to 10 days. At the same time, monopotassium phosphate and multi-element micronutrients are chosen for foliar topdressing.
Flower bud differentiation period: when the leaves of the new shoots no longer continue to elongate, the plant enters the flower bud differentiation period. This stage requires more phosphorus and boron. Usually a solution of 3% burned or human-manure-urine-decomposed bone meal plus 0.4% boron is poured at the roots, once every 10 days, for a total of 2 times. At the same time, foliar topdressing is carried out as in the growth period.
Post-flowering period: flowering plants have consumed a large amount of nutrients. To ensure safe overwintering and avoid affecting the spring germination rate, "post-month fertilizer" should be applied 2 times to fully replenish macroelements and microelements. Commonly a 2% potassium sulfate compound fertilizer solution is poured at the roots, and a 500-fold multi-element micronutrient fertilizer or 600-fold monopotassium phosphate solution is sprayed on the leaves.