Orchids are very demanding. They also require sufficient nutrients and minerals for good care. The plant species only gets this to a limited extent, so that fertilizer has to be used to help. The orchid experts will tell you what the best orchid fertilizers are, how you can make fertilizer yourself and many tricks for fertilizing.
Fertilize
In addition to the right care, fertilizing plays an immense role in orchid plants for strong, healthy growth and beautiful flowers. It is very sensitive, so that no conventional fertilizer is suitable for use. The quantity also determines the well-being of this flowering plant. In the following, the orchid expert will explain to you what you should pay attention to, which fertilizers are the best and how you can easily produce your own fertilizers using simple home remedies.
houseplant fertilizer
The cheapest offers of fertilizer products are commercially available as classic flower fertilizers for indoor plants. Under no circumstances should you use these for your orchids, because they have a general nutrient composition that is not specifically tailored to the needs of the plants.
As a rule, the nutrient content is also at an average level, which results from the needs of countless indoor plants. But the requirements for some minerals and nutrients are below or above average for an Orchidaceae. Thus, in many cases, the plant would be exposed to over- or under-dosing, to which it can be extremely sensitive. As a result, fertilization would usually do more damage than promote growth, health or the abundance of flowers. Therefore, never use a conventional houseplant or bloom fertilizer, but only use special orchid fertilizer or homemade fertilizer that meets the requirements of this beautiful flower.
fertilizing methods
Orchid plants need a special orchid substrate or are kept in hydroponics or semi-hydro cultures. An essential feature is the coarse structure and above-average looseness of the nutrient medium, so that light can reach the roots and the roots can also seek support. In this way, photosynthesis is supported and the oxygen required can be taken up by the roots, which is not necessary for most other plants. This has a significant influence on the choice of which fertilization method you should use.
fertilizer sticks
Fertilizer sticks dissolve poorly in the special orchid substrate or in hydroponics and the ingredients cannot be distributed evenly. This often indicates a waste, since the plant has little real benefit from the ingredients.
liquid fertilizer
In contrast to fertilizer sticks, liquid fertilizer gets into every air space and every substrate grain or into the expanded clay balls. For this reason, you should prefer liquid fertilizer to fertilizer sticks when fertilizing in order to ensure ideal and even fertilization. Seramis, for example, offers a liquid orchid fertilizer that also has an automatic return if too much pressure is applied to the bottle. This will prevent overdosing. This liquid fertilizer is simply added to the irrigation water.
TIP: If you pour liquid orchid fertilizer into a basin of water and immerse the plant/roots in it for a few minutes, you will achieve optimal fertilizer absorption.
fertilizer spray
Like the roots, orchid leaves absorb nutrients and distribute them inside the plant. For this reason, fertilizer sprays have also been developed, such as the Orchid Vital Spray from Chrysal. Typically, sprays contain urea, which is the most commonly used nitrogen fertilizer. In addition, sprays give the leaves a special shine. However, the spray must not be sprayed on flowers. A recommended product is, for example, the PURITAL Premium Orchid Spray. It is composed of high-quality raw materials that can be optimally absorbed through the leaves. The product also has the advantage that it does not contain limescale, which could leave unsightly stains on the leaves, as is the case with some other sprays.
ingredients
Good fertilizer for the Orchidaceae should focus on potassium and nitrogen. Phosphorus is an important component for flowering. You should take this into account, especially when making your own fertilizers or using ecological fertilizers.
potassium
Potassium is a nutrient that gives orchids more strength and improves the supply transport of valuable substances. If there is a potassium deficiency, the leaves fall off and, in the worst case, the plant dies. Fertilizers made from compost, stable manure and yeast, for example, have an optimal potassium content.
nitrogen
Nitrogen is a vital element without which your Orchidaceae would die. Nitrogen requirements increase with age. This means that older specimens in particular regularly need special nitrogenous fertilizer for orchids. However, this should only be administered in small doses, as too much nitrogen can prevent flowering, even if it otherwise positively supports growth. You can recognize a nitrogen deficiency by stunted growth. When it comes to ecological fertilization, experts rely primarily on compost fertilization.
phosphate
Phosphate stimulates flowering and prolongs flowering. However, an oversupply quickly leads to the opposite, which is why the principle here is: less is more.
Fertilize without chemicals
Homeopathic fertilization
Homeopathic fertilization is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, free of any harmful substances and chemical substances. We recommend, for example, the product from the manufacturer Neudorff, "Homeopathic Orchid Elixir", which, as a spray, strengthens leaf and flower growth and increases resistance to diseases and parasites.
It contains, among other things, optimal amounts of:
- potassium
- calcium
- iron
- magnesium
- phosphorus
- boron
- manganese
- silicon
- organic germanium and uronic acids (plant mucilage in homeopathically dynamized forms according to D6-D100
Natural fertilizer instead of chemicals
Artificial fertilizers made from chemical components are becoming less and less important in the world of plants and flowers. Natural fertilizers are increasingly taking their place.
Apart from ingredients that are often harmful to health and sometimes dangerous toxins, many products are not naturally degradable. This not only pollutes the environment, but can also cost the sensitive orchid its life, especially in the event of an overdose. It is better to give natural fertilizer, which often allows the plant to regain its strength even in the event of an overdose due to natural degradation. The manufacturer COMPO, for example, offers a special liquid fertilizer with guano and plant enzymes for bedding and pot orchids. Guano is a valuable, natural supplier of nutrients that strengthens root growth and resistance, extends lifespan and flowering time.
Best home remedies
You can achieve a similar or equally effective effect as a natural fertilizer or homeopathic product using various home remedies that you can easily make yourself.
Compost Tea
Compost is considered the best fertilizer for orchids. However, you should not use ordinary garden compost here, but only use leafy plant materials such as lettuce or salsify. Old vegetables such as tomatoes or cucumbers can also be added.
While solid compost is ideal for working into the soil of bedding orchids, it spreads an unpleasant odor in the room of the room orchid. For this reason and because it is better distributed in the substrate or expanded clay, the preparation of compost tea is recommended.
manufacturing
- fill a bucket with chlorine and lime-free water
- For every kilogram of plant material there is one liter of water
- let rest/decompose for at least 24 hours
- recommended ambient temperature is at least 20 degrees Celsius - the higher, the better
- sieve out rotted material after the rest period
- Pour tea into a watering can or into an immersion tub
- Cover leftover tea so it will keep for a few weeks and can be reused
yeast
Fertilizing with yeast is one of the expert tips that improves the growth and resilience of orchid plants. A yeast cube mainly contains potassium and half the phosphorus content. Dry yeast usually contains around 60 percent nitrogen, which is why you should prefer dry yeast for fertilization. From it you can prepare a solution for pouring yourself.
manufacturing
- Crumble a yeast cube in 10 liters of lukewarm, lime-free water
- stirring speeds up the dissolving process
- Only use when there are no more solid yeast residues
- Watering rhythm is every two to three weeks
- Application period is before and during flowering
- is also ideal for orchids planted in expanded clay
coffee grounds
Coffee is drunk in most households. Instead of disposing of the coffee grounds in the garbage, you can also use them as an effective fertilizer for orchids. This organic home remedy contains everything an Orchidaceae needs to thrive.
However, this is only suitable for plants in substrate, while you should avoid it with hydroponics.
Proceed as follows when fertilizing:
- spread the coffee grounds on the substrate surface
- water a little just after laying out
- when it has dried or after three days at the latest, replace it with fresh coffee grounds
- If it stays damp on the substrate for too long, there is a risk of mold
TIP: The orchid cultivated in hydro does not have to do without the valuable fertilizer substances in the coffee. Alternatively, you can use this with black coffee cooled to room temperature every other pour.
Black tea
Black tea has the same fertilizing properties as coffee grounds and black coffee. So if you are a tea drinker instead of a coffee drinker, black tea is also a perfect home remedy for fertilizing your orchid plants.
However, you do not use a new tea bag or prepare the tea freshly, but only use the leftovers after brewing. Potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen are then contained in optimal amounts here, so that this exactly meets the requirements of the Orchidaceae. The black tea promotes growth and the plant becomes more robust overall. That means it becomes less susceptible to disease.
manufacturing
- immerse the used tea infuser or tea bag in warm water
- count on one tea bag per 250 milliliters of water
- leave for about 20 minutes
- Remove the tea bag/tea egg and allow the tea water to cool down to room temperature
- then use it as water
- the tea water should always be freshly prepared
- only use lime-free water
- daily watering with the tea does not provoke an oversupply of nutrients and minerals