Fertilizer Application Methods Explained: Liwei's Watering Series Episode 5

Liwei "Watering" - 5 (Fertilizer Application) For reference only!! OrchidsShould you use fertilizer or not! Some never use fertilizer, some prefer foliar fertilizer, some prefer root fertilizer, some prefer inorganic fertilizer, some prefer organic fertilizer - opinions vary, each has their own view. And their plants grow very well too. I will only talk about my personal fertilizer use: I lean toward organic fertilizer, but I also use inorganic fertilizer. Inorganic fertilizer types include Osmocote and Magic Fertilizer. Organic fertilizers include Zhixiang, Xishuo, and fermented farmyard manure (this was given by an old orchid grower, one small bucket watered each year is enough for two years; I did not note the formula because it needs to be fermented for 3-5 years or more before it can be used, too troublesome). Everyone knows Osmocote and Magic Fertilizer are slow-release fertilizers; use an appropriate amount and no more, and they will not harm roots or plants. Even if the crystal tips of the roots touch them, it does not matter. As for fertilizer effect, Osmocote lasts one year, with balanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Magic Fertilizer also lasts one year. For a 20CM caliber pot, use 2 grams of Osmocote plus 3 grams of Magic Fertilizer; for larger calibers put a little more, for smaller calibers put a little less, (if roots are poor, seedlings are small, or you are reviving old plants or old pseudobulbs, do not apply fertilizer). When repotting and potting up, I use it as a base fertilizer 1CM below the material surface at the edge of the pot. The use of organic fertilizer depends on the season. I start using 3 kinds in rotation in spring when the seedlings and plants sprout and grow, generally once every 15 days. I stop around October 20th in autumn. Zhixiang: dissolve 1 gram in 500-700 grams of water, stir well, filter out the residue and stone particles, pour into a cola bottle, poke several small holes in the bottle cap, and pour along the pot edge into the growing medium, until slightly dripping after pouring. Fermented farmyard manure: dilute 1 gram in 50-70 grams of water, (if using the original liquid, add more water), use the same way as above. Xishuo: dissolve 1 gram in 6000-8000 grams of water, stir well, put in a water pump, and use a water sprayer to irrigate both leaves and pot. In summer high temperatures, the fertilizer water should be diluted to half strength. Everyone also knows that inorganic fertilizer can be directly absorbed by plants, while organic fertilizer must be decomposed by microorganisms before it can be absorbed by plants, so when I use organic fertilizer I never flush with water afterward, only carry out normal watering management. Fertilizer is a double-edged sword; there must be a limit. If roots are poor, seedlings are weak, or you are reviving old plants or old pseudobulbs, remember absolutely do not apply fertilizer. Newly purchased plants that have just been potted up also must not be fertilized before they have recovered from repotting (base fertilizer must be kept away from the root system),Orchidsare easy to grow, butorchidsare difficult to grow all well, and also difficult to kill all of them. The key to growing them well lies in fertilizer, and the key to killing them also lies in fertilizer. Also: you can grow a few pots of ordinary orchids and experiment first. Implement only after gaining experience. You can also grow a few pots of ordinary orchids under the same management as famous orchids; after watering and fertilizing, often turn over the pots to check the root system, observe the growth situation, and summarize experience.