| Orchid fertilizer is essential for keeping your plant | | | | Disease |
| thriving. It delivers a blend of nutrients that the plant | | | | There are inorganic and organic varieties of fertilizer. |
| converts into energy for development and growth. If | | | | Organic varieties can harbor various diseases that |
| you're unfamiliar with the basics of using fertilizer, this | | | | may infect your plant. It's usually best to use an |
| article will tell you everything you need to know. | | | | inorganic mix. A special treatment process is used to |
| Macronutrients | | | | destroy these diseases so that your plant will stay |
| Every good fertilizer contains three important | | | | healthy. |
| macronutrients. They include nitrogen, phosphorous, | | | | Application |
| and potassium. This is commonly abbreviated NPK. | | | | The main entry point of fertilizer is through the roots, |
| Nitrogen mainly helps the plant's stem and leaves | | | | so you should definitely spray them. However, the |
| grow. While growth will likely be restricted if the plant | | | | plant can also absorb some of the food that makes |
| doesn't get enough nitrogen, too much can reduce | | | | contact with its leaves. Most types of orchid fertilizer |
| flowering. | | | | require that you dilute them with water. You should |
| Phosphorous is essential for production of protein, | | | | be careful not to get any water trapped between |
| which is necessary for the production of flowers. If | | | | the leaves. This allows fungus or bacteria to buildup, |
| the orchid doesn't receive enough, growth may slow | | | | especially when temperatures get cooler. This can |
| dramatically. It can also cause the plant to lose | | | | easily be fatal to your plant. |
| flowers early. The element potassium plays a role in | | | | Type |
| loss and absorption of water. It also helps synthesize | | | | There are two different types of fertilizer, namely |
| proteins. | | | | coated and water-soluble. The water-soluble type is |
| Micronutrients | | | | liquid that has to be diluted with water and given to |
| Orchid fertilizer should also contain micronutrients. | | | | the plant. Coated fertilizer usually comes in the form |
| They are needed to support flowers and new | | | | of pellets. These pellets release the nutrients |
| growth. Micronutrients are especially important if the | | | | gradually over time. One problem you may have with |
| plant is grown in a soil-less potting mix. Some of the | | | | these pellets is that they may be washed away |
| most common micronutrients include copper, zinc, | | | | during watering before the nutrients have been |
| sodium, silicon, and cobalt. | | | | released. |