I use both the "Bloom" and the "Grow" interchangeably (SP?). Depending on the plants and season etc. Once a month I throw in superthrive and once a month or so I throw in epsom with the fert. I feel kind of lame going on about it due to the organic in my name. But I have a degree in Organic Horticulture, and I used to use a chem fert just on orchids and Age Old on everything else. Then one day I realized how dumb I thought that was and switched. That was many years ago and have seen an actual improvement in growth and blooms. Also, now I have a 19 month old that likes to eat the dirt and bark from my plants. Although I know that the fert no matter what it is shouldn't be in the mouth, I feel better that it is organic matter. Also the numbers are so low that you don't have to worry so much about reducing the amount, ie. no burned roots. Hope this helps. Shani

MSU has both types of fertilizer - normal tap water formula and for rain/RO water. I use MSU but Dyna Grow also makes a good product and both should give you good results if the rest of your culture is correct. Brooke

Hi Greentoe, Yes powered fertilizer is always a tricky, there are so many ways it can go wrong because a lot of time the grains have different sizes en weight so when you shake the power it become Inhomogeneous. That can happen in the factory, when transported and in the shop. Liquid will be better but you pay to much for the water that is added. The best way to go, in my opinion, use liquid fertilizer and what Nick already said buy a EC or PPM meter Cheap at (e bay) then you know what you are doing. The fertilizer sellers advice you sometimes a concentration that is much to high for most orchids. Greetings Alfred

I find that deciding how to fertilize is up to each grower's environment, water quality, and judgement. So it is not always a simple conversation. Everyone has a different opinion. However, most will tell you to ignore the label and fertilize more frequently at a weaker dosage than the labels imply. Here is what I do: I fertilize with every watering using .25-.5 teaspoons per gallon. I generally use the MSU formula fertilizer or Dyna-gro Gro or Bloom. I switch to the bloom late summer to late fall, but I have not noticed a difference. Once I use all of the Dyna-gro Bloom I will just go back to the MSU full time. I add CalMag and a mirco-nutrient pack once a month. I think I have a solid fertilization regime, but it is not stellar. Most importantly it works for me and 90% of my collection. And it has worked well for my Phals in the past. I like the way First Rays explains fertilizing: Explaining fertilizer dosage You may want to look at some of his other articles also.