Nick is right on the money regarding fertilization. In general, the rule of thumb for orchids is "weekly, weakly." It also depends on what kind of culture the orchids are getting. In optimum light they can take more fertilzer than the same plants getting less light. Since your plants are outside, we can assume they're getting optimum light. Waiting until the plants show buds is akin to closing the barn door after the horse has run away. Regular fertilizing with a thorough plain flushing once every four weeks or so, is a good regimin to consider. But you got buds, and that's the most important thing. As Nick also says, there are many other ways that work for other growers.

I probably exaggerated some-- for example, there's a bit of potassium on the loose in every cell-- but it's basically true. People think of roots as being stuffed with phosphorus, but P doesn't have anything particular to do with root or flower development. P is needed all over the plant in small quantities as part of the information systems and energy-transfer systems, in order for the plant to get anything done. What's stored in roots is not P but sugar and starch. P is prescribed for root vegetables because these plants have small root systems and may have trouble foraging for P in the soil. Extra P is needed only for ripening seed, and we don't have much of that in the rose garden. Actually phosphate is the classic placebo fertilizer because you can use a lot of it without doing any obvious damage.

esperanza,The hive top feeders I've see go on the hive body, then you put an empty super over it with the covers on top of the empty.I've never actually used the hive top feeders( I get buckets for free and make my own), so setup may depend on the style of feeder.Some are enclosed so you can fill without having the bees buzzing you. You can feed till there's a nectar flow. If they're on new foundation, they'll need the syrup to help draw out the comb if there isn't any nectar available.

DH is a contractor and he does not like his customers to feel obligated to provide lunch for him and his crew. If they provide a lunch unexpectedly, he will graciously accept it. If they do it a second time, he will again graciously accept what is provided, but explain to the customer that lunches are neither expected or necessary and that he and his crew bring their own lunches every day. If a client provides a surprise lunch, that means that everyone has to throw away the lunch they brought with them that day. Also, eating the lunch that is provided by the client often takes more time than the crew normally spends eating lunch. Doing that every day can really throw your schedule off. It is better to do as one poster said and tell your contractor, "I'd like to buy you all lunch tomorrow." That said, a plate of cookies or a pitcher of lemonade is always appreciated by the crew, but making it a habit is not really good for anyone ... the client feels obligated and the crew learns to expect it. DH does not appreciate so much when clients want to provide beer to the crew. They are there to work, not drink. If they want to drink, they can do so on their own time after hours.