What fertilizers can be used for orchids?
For a more effective and long-lasting flowering of indoor plants, various complexes are used. Fertilizer for orchids is developed taking into account the specifics of the plant. The compositions are used at certain points of the growing season and only for a healthy flower. Even fertilizers labeled "for orchids" need to be applied with caution and in lower concentrations than indicated on the labels.
Basic rules for the use of fertilizers
The main active ingredients of fertilizers are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. On labels, they are designated N: P: K as a percentage. If you need to increase the green mass, more nitrogen is required, for flowering - phosphorus, and potassium is responsible for vitality and cellular processes. Complex compositions contain trace elements. A vitamin cocktail for an orchid is as useful as it is for humans.
Rules for the use of fertilizers for orchids:
- fertilizers cannot be used during transplantation and during the adaptation of the plant;
- observe the time of fertilization, guided by the biological cycle;
- do not fertilize orchids during flowering and during treatment or rehabilitation;
- root dressing is done only after watering, so as not to cause a chemical burn to the roots;
- feed orchids, depending on the conditions of detention, but no more than twice a month.
Fertilizer for orchids for flowering has a composition of 4: 6: 6. Top dressing is used during the period when the plant is gaining strength for long flowering, but two weeks before the opening of the first bud, fertilizing watering is stopped.
Fertilizers should be used carefully. Substances not assimilated by the plant, remaining in the substrate, poison it. Without feeding, orchids will develop and bloom, an overdose can lead to death.
When fertilizing young orchids, a 4: 3: 3 composition should be used to build up the root system and leaves. Florist's first aid kit contains preparations in various ratios of the main nutrients. Florists willingly use proven compositions from well-known manufacturers in the care of orchids - "Miracle Garden", Bona Forte, "Oasis".
You can check if fertilizer is suitable for orchids yourself:
- acidity pH 5-7;
- low concentration of nutrient salts;
- used soluble forms of chelates;
- the composition must contain additives of trace elements, be complex;
- the presence of stimulating additives increases the value of the drug.
Using organic fertilizers dangerously unpredictable composition and large amounts of nitrogen.
Examples of known fertilizers from different manufacturers may include the following compositions.
- Agricola, a special mineral fertilizer for orchids. It's easy to use. The composition contains all the necessary substances in a soluble form. For foliar dressing, this aerosol formulation is called Doctor Foley.
- Bona Forte formulations are a complete nutrition for orchids with a vitamin cocktail and microelements. Of the drugs offered, this one is the most affordable.
- Soil "Fasco" and the preparation of the same name were developed specifically for orchids. In this composition, balanced nutrition contributes to the rapid development of young plants.
Manufacturers are releasing new drugs, but you need to be careful when fertilizing orchids. Use the composition at the rate of 10 drops per liter of working solution. Root feeding is carried out by immersing the pot in the prepared solution for 20 minutes. And foliar dressing with fertilizer for orchids is carried out only if necessary, to rid the leaves of chlorosis. In this case, the leaves are sprayed on both sides, trying to moisten the aerial roots. After that, you need to dry the drops that have fallen into the sinuses. Flowers must be covered during processing.
Application on orchids of cytokinin paste for propagation
The appearance of babies on an orchid at home is an infrequent occurrence. A paste where the active ingredient cytoconin stimulates cell division in any biological object. In humans, scars are removed with the help of cycotine; in orchids, it promotes the active growth of dormant buds.
Orchid paste is used by applying it in a place where there is a bud sleeping under the scales. You need to remove the protection and apply a little paste on the open kidney. This will provoke the beginning of the growth of the baby or flower arrow. You need to leave only one shoot in the node, and remove the rest. Depending on the strength of the root system, no more than 3 neoplasms can be stimulated at the same time. These can be children or flowers. It must be remembered that the orchid requires particularly careful care during the intensive growth of children.
The sequence of operations for obtaining babies using cytokinin paste for orchids is shown in the figure.
The composition is stored in the refrigerator and very little preparation is required to grow a new orchid or flower stalk.
It is necessary to use the stimulant, guided by the biological cycle of the plant. Better in early spring, before the orchid wakes up. For the germination of the peduncle, lubricate the sleeping bud to a minimum. To get the baby, you need to apply more paste, from a match head.
You cannot use the paste for stimulation on weakened plants that have been affected by diseases or pests. Young plants that have not reached the age of two and do not have 6 leaves are not ready for reproduction. The bud will develop, but the plant itself may die from overwork.
Work with the paste with protective gloves. The composition should be applied pointwise, not accidentally falling on leaves or roots.