Congratulations

In the photo it looks like there is another spike in front that goes down into the medium?

Woo hoo! Congratulations. I have a flower spike on one of my phals for the first time too. I'm patiently waiting for bloom!

It's actually one curlicue spike. It goes down and then loops back up and comes up next to itself.

I will be looking to so see when it does!!

Make sure it's getting good over head light or turn it requently so that the spike grows straight up. Congrats! I know the feeling.

Are you fertilizing that plant at all?

Ah! That's its problem. It doesn't really get any overhead light. It lives in the corner of the dining room about two feet from a southern window with shears. So it gets daylight through the shears from the south, and then the room light would be coming from northeast of the plant when it's on (not a lot), plus the living room light (cased opening between the rooms) to the north and the kitchen light around the corner to the northeast (the doorway behind it in the picture). Plant is leaning north-ish, but the leaves like to turn back towards the window. It gets turned a little, but it can only turn so much, or it hangs off the cabinet and gets bumped. There's nothing directly above the orchid, so that's probably why it's not growing a straight spike.

It doesn't really get fertilized. It was repotted about two months ago because it was falling out of its pot. This is it more upright, but we didn't want to hurt its roots, so it's still tilted. It gets watered based on root color by taking its plastic orchid pot out of the ceramic one and soaking in tap water for about fifteen minutes.

I have orchid food somewhere, but it hasn't gotten any.

Id feed it right away and let in soak in fertilizer water. What I do is soak in plain water first then I fill the pot up with fertilizer water then drain. Those flowers and stalk are going to need it to grow longer than that.

Changing it's status quo, by feeding it, won't shock it? I'd hate for it abort the spike or buds.

It just got watered a few days ago, so it's probably not ready for more water yet, but how much orchid food? Just however the bag says to dilute it? Are all orchid foods even created equal? Or are there different ones for different stages (leaf growth, spike growth, flowering, etc.)?

No, all living things need food even orchids at all stages. In nature they are constantly getting nutriets. Without nutrients, the blooms would abort, leaves curl and yellow, grow too slow, not produce blooms, attract pets, grow weak roots and so on.

This will help you choose and understand. What do you have at home. I always use a weak solution. Either follow the instructions on the bottle, or just give a small amount at each watering.

Orchids need to be fed regularly. Growers suggest using a "balanced" fertilizer such as 20-20-20 that includes all "necessary trace elements." Regardless of the fertilizer formulation you choose to use, it should contain little or no urea.

Why Do Orchids Need Fertilizer?

While fertilizer won’t necessarily bring a struggling plant back to its glory, it will do wonders for plants with an already stable foundation.

If you want orchids that hold their leaves longer and produce more blooms that are bigger and brighter, you need the right fertilizer.

As we’ll see, fertilizing orchids isn’t as simple as it is with other plants. You have to pay close attention to make sure that you’re not only using the right fertilizer but you’re also using it the right way at the right time.

Before we get into the details, let’s take a close look at the best fertilizer for orchids we found.

The 8 Best Fertilizer for Orchids

When it comes to orchid fertilizer, there are a lot of great options available out there. Whether you’re looking for a spray, concentrate, or granules, you’re in the right place. Here are our top picks for fertilizer for orchids.PicturesOrchid FertilizersNPK AnalysisLinksMiracle-Gro Orchid Food30-10-10

Miracle-Gro Orchid Plant Food Spikes10-10-10

Sun Bulb Company 8305 Better Gro Orchid Plus Bloom Booster Fertilizer11-35-15

MSU Orchid Fertilizer13-3-15

Orchid Love- The World's Greatest Orchid Food1.19-1.06-0.39

Miracle-Gro 100195 Orchid Plant Food Mist Orchid Fertilizer.02- .02- .02

Orchid Myst Natural and Professional Orchid Feed spray- - -

Grow More 5121 All-Purpose Premium Orchid Fertilizer20-20-20

What Kind of Fertilizer for Orchids?

As we mentioned, even the best fertilizer won’t necessarily bring a struggling orchid back, but why?

It’s best to think of fertilizer as orchid vitamins, a supplement that gives it what it’s lacking from its main food supply.

It’s not the medicine which is why it may not be able to fix a sick plant. It also can’t really be considered food since orchids are a plant and plants make their own food using photosynthesis.

That said, in order to understand what kind of fertilizer is best for orchids, it helps to understand a little something about photosynthesis.

What Happens during Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis in orchids works the same as in all plants. Water is absorbed through the roots and taken to the leaves. The leaves use chlorophyll, the chemical that gives them their green color, to absorb light from the sun.

This energy is used to break down the water into it’s 2 separate parts: oxygen and hydrogen. While some oxygen is used by the plant, most of it is mostly excreted into the air. The hydrogen combines with the carbon dioxide inside the plant’s cells and a little bit of oxygen to make sugar that feeds the plant.

So, photosynthesis provides the orchid of its food but not the macronutrients it needs to really thrive. That’s where fertilizer comes in.

What Does Fertilizer Do?

There are 3 macronutrients that are important for orchid growth that the plant cannot produce itself. They are:

• Nitrogen aids leaf and stem development.
• Phosphorous helps with healthy root and flower production.
• Potassium strengthens plant tissue.

Every orchid fertilizer is labeled with 3 numbers which tell you the ratio of these ingredients. So, if you see 20-20-20, each one makes up 20% of the total mix.

If the label claims that the fertilizer is complete, that means it has all 3 of these macronutrients. If it’s balanced, it means they’re present in equal amounts.

What Should You Look for in a Fertilizer for Orchids?

The most important thing to look for when choosing a fertilizer is nitrogen. Avoid any product that uses urea nitrogen as research has shown that it’s not very beneficial. Look for nitrate-nitrogen or ammoniacal nitrogen.

You also want a maximum of 20% nitrogen. Too much of anything isn’t good for the plant and it doesn’t need any more than this.

Check for trace elements, too. A fertilizer that’s supplemented with calcium and magnesium is good, too. If there aren’t any trace elements listed as ingredients in the fertilizer, you may want to add some when you water your plants.

How to Fertilize Orchids?

Honestly, it depends on the type of fertilizer.

Concentrated formulas that you have to mix with water can usually be applied safely to the soil and roots. These come both as a concentrated liquid and granulated crystals. Each should be thoroughly mixed and dissolved into the right amount of water before use.

Some can also be safely applied to the leaves but be sure to follow the instructions on the label. Depending on the formula and how much you apply, watering over the leaves might lead to problems with fungus and mold.

Sprays are usually safe for everything except the blooms themselves. This is due to the way they’re formulated and because they use such a fine mist that it would be hard to apply enough water to damage the foliage.

Finally, there are fertilizer sticks, too. They usually feature a slow-release formula and are stuck down into the soil between the roots and the edge of the pot.

How Often to Fertilize Orchids?

If you’ve done any research on orchids, you’ve likely come across the phrase “Water weekly, weakly”. This is an old rule of thumb that helps you remember how often to fertilize and to remind you not to overdo it.

There is another school of thought that says it’s more beneficial to give a strong dose of fertilizer once a month. So, which is correct?

Orchids don’t naturally come across a lot of these nutrients so they’re not used to getting them in large amounts. That’s why you have to be careful not to use too much. In fact, using too much fertilizer can cause brown leaves and root damage.

Read the directions for the fertilizer you choose. Some can be used every 2 to 3 days while others really are only used weekly with a break of water without fertilizer every few weeks. If they’re formulated for orchids, they’ll have the right balance if you follow the directions.

If you’re worried about overdoing it, you can start with a diluted concentrated. For example, if the instructions say to use a teaspoon of fertilizer in a gallon of water, you can try ½ teaspoon in a gallon to start. Experiment until you find the mix that gets the best results.

It’s very important that you don’t overfeed. Some people might think that since they got results with a regular application, using even more will deliver larger blossoms and sturdier plants. This isn’t the case. There really can be too much of a good thing.

What can be deceiving is that the orchid can initially look like using too much fertilizer is actually working. In fact, orchids that are overfed grow too fast. They’re also very weak and can quickly catch diseases.

How can you tell if you’re overdoing it? If you see salt buildup in the pot, it means you’ve used too much fertilizer. This salt buildup can seriously harm the plant so if you do notice any, it’s probably best to repot flower.

When is the Best Time to Fertilize Orchids?

When you should fertilize your orchid depends on where it is in its blooming cycle.

Growing Period

It’s important to keep your orchids fertilized during growth periods and before their blooming period. This varies from one type of orchid to another. Some bloom during the spring and summer while other varieties bloom in the winter. Some bloom twice a year.

During this time, a schedule of fertilizing every week with a break every third week using only plain water is a good schedule. The plant is getting ready to sprout and in a period of rapid growth so it needs the added nutrients.

Moisture is important during this time, too. If you notice dry soil between treatments, moisten the soil using plain water as necessary.

Note that this information is for fertilizer that is mixed with water like concentrated liquids or granules. If you’re using a spray or stick, follow the instructions on the package but try to stick to the same basic timeframes outlined here.

Dormant Period

After the orchid blooms, the flower will eventually wilt and fall off. Then, the orchid enters its dormant phase as it gets ready for the next one.

During this time, it’s not necessary to fertilize as often. In fact, every other week should be enough to make sure it’s getting what it needs to stay strong and healthy and ensure blooms for next season.

That said, often summer bloomers will need more fertilization throughout their dormant period than winter bloomers do.

If you’re wondering, morning is the best time of day to water or fertilize an orchid. That way, the leaves have time to dry in the sunlight

The reason for phal not blooming is its not getting the winter temperature difference treatment. Phals set buds when they get a day night temperature difference of 10 degrees or more as temperatures start falling in the fall/early winter. You can either keep your phal outdoors as temps are falling until they show a spike (do not leave it out if there is danger of frost). If you can't keep it outdoors, you could keep it in an heated room or garage or at least close to the glass on a sunny window.

MeyerMike wow!!!! You just wrote a book! But a good book. Orchids are not hard to keep and Mike gave great advice. Follow it and you should do well! Rosie

Well, it's not very tall, but the buds are happily opening!

Yay!

I can relate. I have phal in bud after 2 years and another one that hasn't bloomed since 2016. Enjoy. .it does seem quite healthy given the number of buds.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful blooms!!!!!!!!! Rosie

Rosie, thank you for appreciating that. Hope all is well with your plants too)

Hi Mike! You're welcome and Yep,,,,,things are going well! Rosie

Congratulations!! They should last several months. Mine bloomed in December right after Christmas and still look fresh. Of course now I jinxed it.

I like how close they are to the leaves.

Beautiful! Great job

Beautiful orchid! The flowers are so much easier to see and enjoy.