Fertilize orchids: when, how and with what?

Orchids need special nutrients to develop their flowers. We will show you how, when and with what to fertilize orchids properly.

Lots of people think about it orchids only to the well-known butterfly orchid (Phalaenopsis). However, more and more new varieties and species are entering the market, with nutritional requirements as varied as their appearance. In general, however, epiphytic orchids – also known as epiphytic plants – require fewer nutrients, since they are characterized by a very slow metabolism. You should therefore be extremely careful when fertilizing, as it can quickly burn the sensitive roots. In this case, less is more.

In nature, orchids spread in places that most other plants cannot colonize due to the difficult water and nutrient supply. This is because their aerial roots allow them to live far from Earth. The nutrients are absorbed directly from the surrounding water via the root surface. So that the somewhat different nutrient uptake also works in the living room, we will explain how to water and fertilize your orchid correctly.

Fertilize orchids: Healthy roots as a basic requirement

A healthy root system is particularly important for orchids, because the nutrients have to be absorbed quickly and efficiently directly from the water. Proper watering of an orchid is essential to ensure that the roots remain healthy and nutrients are optimally absorbed. The best way to do this is to use the immersion method:

• Fill the bucket with low-lime water at room temperature
• Soak the root ball in a bucket of water for a maximum of 10 minutes
• Take the root ball out of the water and let it drain
• Carry out the next dive when several spots in the substrate are well dry

Additionally, happy orchid roots need an airy environment. Therefore, repot your orchid when the substrate begins to collapse due to decomposition processes. If the roots are whitish-silver or green, you have done everything right.

Expert tip: A transparent planter not only gives the roots light, but also helps to determine the right time for the next watering and repotting.

When to fertilize orchids?

Proper fertilization is another crucial criterion that plays a role in the development of a healthy root system. The right fertilization ensures strong roots, which in turn ensure better absorption of the nutrients contained in the fertilizer. You should make sure that your orchid is continuously supplied with a low concentration of nutrients. This means that you should fertilize your plant every two weeks during the growth phase. If your orchid goes dormant in winter, you should not fertilize during this time. The dormant phase begins with the shedding of flowers and ends with the first new shoots in spring. Even after repotting, orchids should not be fertilized for the first four to six weeks.

The right fertilizer for orchids

Because orchids are very special, they also need a special environment and care. That's why you should use a special orchid fertilizer when caring for the colorful jungle dwellers. In a pinch, however, a commercially available flowering plant fertilizer will also do. However, you should only give a tenth of the recommended dose, otherwise the nutrient concentration will be too high for the weak eater. What cannot be avoided, however, is the choice of a water-soluble fertilizer product. Unfortunately, fertilizing on depot becomes a problem. But because of the nutrient uptake via the aerial roots and the very coarse substrate on which When orchids are cultivated, most of the nutrients have to be taken up directly from the irrigation water will.

Fertilize orchids organically

Orchids absorb nutrients directly from the irrigation water. Most organic fertilizers are therefore unsuitable: the complex form of these fertilizers must first be broken down by microorganisms before the nutrients are available to the plants. Also the composition of compost, manure and others natural fertilizers is unsuitable for sensitive plants. However, there is also an organic alternative for orchids - this is called guano. This fertilizer, made from the excrement of seabirds or bats, already has a water-soluble nutrient content due to natural conversion processes. To ensure that your orchid is adequately supplied, you should apply a liquid fertilizer containing guano to the irrigation water every two weeks.

Fertilize orchids with minerals

Mineral fertilizers are directly available to the plant because they are soluble in water. In this way, your orchid can absorb the nutrients it needs directly from the irrigation water. Use a liquid fertilizer like this for this Organic liquid fertilizer for orchids from CUXIN DCM or dissolve granular fertilizer before fertilizing. Simply distributing the granules in the root area or using fertilizer sticks is not recommended. On the one hand, the fertilizer can collect on the ground and thus not be absorbed, on the other hand, the nutrient concentration is not homogeneous in this way. Therefore, it quickly comes to burns on the roots in the area.

The easiest way is to add the recommended amount of orchid fertilizer to the irrigation water every 14 days during the growth phase. Water your orchid as usual using the immersion method. Stick to the dosage information or even tend to a slightly lower dose - otherwise mineral fertilizers quickly lead to salt deposits on the roots. Burning of the roots then occurs due to over-fertilization. If you want to add the icing on the cake, use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer from new growth to flowering. From the flowering phase you can then switch to a phosphate-heavy fertilizer.

Fertilize orchids with home remedies: coffee grounds and co.

To avoid buying an expensive orchid fertilizer, there are one or two home remedies. For example, you can also use yeast or fertilize with coffee grounds, although coffee grounds are not tolerated by all orchids. Simply test how your orchid reacts with a teaspoon of coffee grounds as a test fertiliser. You can also serve a tasty cup of tea to your graceful window sill dweller. This is then watered every two weeks. To make a compost tea, follow these steps:

• Only leafy plant materials, possibly also uses leftover vegetables
• Mix 1 kg of plant material with 1 liter of water in a container
• Leave to rest for 24 hours at a minimum of 20°C
• Sieve mixture and collect liquid. Covered, the tea can be kept for a few weeks and can be used several times

Incidentally, the plant material that has already been used can also be processed into tea several times.

Recognizing over-fertilization in orchids

Although a mineral fertilizer is the best solution for orchids, the fact that they can be overdosed very easily is particularly noticeable with orchids that are easily over-fertilized. Too much nutrient salt becomes apparent when the roots of your orchid turn black and begin to rot despite professional watering. Salt deposits on the roots are also a clear sign of over-fertilization. The only way to save your orchid – if at all – is as follows:

• Remove roots from old substrate
• Rinse roots with rainwater
• Transfer to a coarse, nutrient-poor substrate
• Only water the following day
• Stop fertilizing and reduce watering

Over-fertilization often leads to death in orchids and should therefore be avoided at all costs. In certain circumstances, listed below, orchids are particularly susceptible to harmful excess nutrients.

• Diseased or not optimally kept orchids
• Orchid species with very fine roots
• For hard tap water (high calcium and magnesium content)

In these cases you should only give half the recommended fertilizer dose. Otherwise, the full dose of fertilizer can be administered.

In addition to too much fertilizer, there are others common care mistakes in orchids. We introduce them to you in our special article.

Many thanks to CUXIN DCM for the support!