Can Phalaenopsis Be Fertilized When It Has Flower Buds? Fertilization Methods and Precautions

Phalaenopsis, as a flower loved by many gardening enthusiasts, is mainly favored because its elegant posture and brilliant blooms have won most people's affection. However, in care, many people only pay attention to watering and do not take the "fertilization minefield" seriously. In fact, improper fertilization can directly cause flower buds to wither and roots to be damaged. The following will briefly discuss the above situation.

Fertilizing is indispensable for growing flowers and plants well, but if fertilization is improper, it is also easy to fall into the "sweet trap" of fertilization. So how can the fertilization minefield be avoided? First is excessive fertilization, which will cause excessive accumulation of nutrients. Because fertilizer with an excessively high ratio and concentration cannot be directly absorbed by the soil, these nutrients will not be digested and will accumulate in the soil, and over time the roots will be burned. The final result of excessive fertilization will cause flower buds not to open, and may even cause premature withering and other situations. Therefore, during the bud stage, the fertilizer concentration should be controlled well. Choosing a low-concentration fertilizer specially for orchids can reduce the occurrence of similar situations.

Second, the minefield is applying too much nitrogen fertilizer. Many gardening enthusiasts cannot wait to add nitrogen fertilizer to promote blooming, not realizing that the main role of nitrogen fertilizer is in growth rather than flowering. So adding nitrogen fertilizer during the bud stage of Phalaenopsis will only make the flower color fade, and may even cause delayed development of flower buds. It is recommended that during the bud stage, suitable fertilizer should be chosen, such as phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, or a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be added on that basis to promote flower bud development and flower coloration.

Then, the key point of fertilizing Phalaenopsis is to grasp the timing of fertilization. During the bud stage of Phalaenopsis, it is most taboo to apply fertilizer during high-temperature periods, because during this period, due to the high temperature, the fertilizer will accelerate its dissolution in the soil rather than at the root zone. It is recommended to fertilize in the evening or early morning, because the temperature is moderate during these periods, which is conducive to the slow release of fertilizer to the root zone for the best absorption.

Finally, there are water quality requirements when fertilizing. The growing medium for most Phalaenopsis is sphagnum moss, so choosing hard water and alkaline water can easily affect the dissolution and absorption of fertilizer. When the water quality cannot be changed, it is recommended to use water that has been left standing for one night before adding fertilizer and fertilizing. In this way, some coarse substances will sink to the bottom, making the water cleaner.