What should be noted when fertilizing orchids?

What should be noted whenfertilizing orchids?

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Best answer - selected by the asker 1 year ago

Do not fertilize until new roots have grown in fully. After being disturbed repeatedly, orchid seedlings are in a conservative, suppressed state. Their resistance is very weak, the wounds from broken roots have not yet healed, and they are highly susceptible to disease infection.CultivationWhen potting, besides making sure to use weakly acidic humus soil or ordinary plain soil, never apply base fertilizer. Due to environmental changes, after potting the orchid seedlings slowly recover their functions in the moist substrate, but this is a fairly long adaptation period. During this time, because the orchid roots have not fully recovered their functions, they basically do not absorb fertilizer from the soil and rely entirely on the nutrients stored in the pseudobulbs to supply the needs of roots, leaves and buds. Only when orchid fungi gradually develop and the hyphae spread densely, forming conditions suitable for vigorous orchid growth and roughly covering the pot, do the orchid seedlings fully return to normal, with increased resistance, and only then can a light, diluted fertilizer be applied. This process takes about 1-2 years. Although no fertilizer is applied during this period, the orchid seedlings can still grow and develop normally and slowly, because the nutrients produced by the orchid fungi can basically meet the needs of the seedlings at this stage. Do not fertilize if the orchid plants are not robust. During the fertilization-adaptation period, if the orchid plants do not develop normally, new buds fail to emerge, the orchid leaves are grayish green, lusterless, drooping, with scorched tips, it indicates that the old roots are continuing to rot and new roots have not grown out. At this time, by no means should fertilizer be applied; only regular foliar spraying can be used to supplement nutrients. If they still cannot return to normal, the seedlings must be lifted, disinfected, and repotted with fresh soil. Do not fertilize if the new buds have not grown large. When the potted orchid seedlings send out leaf buds, it shows that the orchid fungi have initially formed, new roots are gradually growing out, and nutrient absorption has begun. But at this time the new roots are still very short and few, and their function is very weak. In order not to affect their development, no fertilizer of any kind should be applied. Only after the new buds have grown to 15 cm tall can a little fertilizer be applied. Do not fertilize if the flower buds are not plump. By early autumn, the new roots become ever stronger and begin to send out flower buds. If the flower buds sent out are not plump or even malformed, it indicates that root function is still not vigorous and can barely satisfy reproductive growth but cannot meet vegetative growth needs. This kind of orchid with insufficient reserves also must not be fertilized, and nutrients still need to be supplemented through foliar spraying. Observe the season and timing: the five no-fertilize rules. Do not fertilize in early spring: although spring temperatures are very low, the orchid seedlings are just gradually reviving from dormancy, and their activity is very weak. If fertilizer is applied at this time, because it cannot be fully absorbed by the orchid, it will remain at the roots and cause fertilizer damage. Do not fertilize in summer: generally when the temperature reaches around 35°C, the orchid seedlings enter a semi-dormant state, vegetative growth slows, and root vitality weakens. Fertilizing at this time is likewise difficult for the orchid roots to absorb and easily causes fertilizer damage. Do not fertilize in winter: winter temperatures are very low, orchids enter dormancy, flower buds enter the vernalization period, vegetative growth stops, and no fertilizer should be applied. Do not fertilize in bad weather: do not fertilize when it is raining or about to rain. First, the applied fertilizer is easily washed away by rain and lost; second, due to weather changes, orchid root vitality is relatively weakened. Do not fertilize at noon: it is best to choose morning or evening on a sunny day to fertilize. At noon the temperature is relatively high, and fertilizing easily harms the orchid seedlings. What fertilizer to apply. Decomposed farmyard manure: farmyard manure is a very good organic fertilizer, but it must be piled and decomposed for more than one year before use. This kind of fertilizer liquid can be diluted with water 10-20 times and poured on, applied as much as possible along the edge of the pot, not touching the roots and not touching the orchid leaves. Chemical fertilizers: when applying chemical fertilizers, pay attention to the balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and strictly control the concentration. For variegated-leaf seedlings, chlorophyll synthesis should be controlled, so nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied, nor should fertilizers containing manganese and magnesium be applied (such as calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer, etc.), because manganese and magnesium elements can accelerate chlorophyll synthesis. For flowering orchids, if cultivating large-petaled flowers, an appropriate increase in nitrogen fertilizer may be applied. How to fertilize. Apply frequently and lightly, eat small meals more often: orchids do not need much fertilizer during their growth and development period. For vigorous, robust orchid plants, a diluted liquid fertilizer may be applied once every 10-15 days. Mainly rely on foliar spraying: foliar spraying can both supplement the orchid plant's nutrients through absorption by the orchid leaves and avoid fertilizer contacting the roots and causing fertilizer damage. For orchids, it is the best method of fertilization. As long as during the growth and development period you persist in foliar spraying about once every 10 days, you can certainly grow orchids well, and there is no need to fertilize into the pot. You can use 1:1000 monopotassium phosphate and 1:1000 boron fertilizer, or aloe liquid. Because aloe contains large amounts of nutrients such as polysaccharides and amino acids, and contains more than twenty kinds of minerals, it can meet the nutrients needed by orchids, and aloe contains aloe-emodin, which can kill almost all germs and viruses. After application, there is no need to apply pesticides again to prevent disease. Mainly use natural organic matter. Natural organic fertilizer has relatively comprehensive nutrient elements, so there is no need to apply other fertilizers, and its nature is mild, with no side effects on plants, whereas chemical fertilizers easily make the substrate compact, and most chemical fertilizers are acidic. Long-term application will make the substrate too acidic and cause disease.

Answered 1 year ago by Mr. "Xuanyuan Gufen", specially selected to share with everyone!