Due to its unpretentiousness in care and long flowering, the Phalaenopsis orchid is one of the most popular indoor flowers. Like any plant, it needs additional fertilizing, which will contribute to its proper development. Knowing how and what to feed an orchid at home, you can create suitable conditions for a long and beautiful flowering of this exotic beauty.
Methods of feeding
There are two methods of feeding: root and foliar.
Root
This method of fertilizing is used only for healthy plants.
Sequencing:
- Before fertilizing, moisten the roots of the flower well;
- Fertilizers, according to the instructions, are bred in water, which should be at least 26-30 degrees.
- A pot with a flower is placed in a basin with a solution and watered with an orchid from above, trying not to get on the buds and sinuses of leaves;
- Leave the orchid in a basin for further nutrition for 25-30 minutes;
- They take out the flower pot from the basin, drain the remaining liquid.
Such top dressing is best done early in the morning, when the plant is able to well absorb nutrients through the root system.
Pink orchid in a flowerpot
Additional Information. An amber solution is often used as root dressing, for the preparation of which succinic acid is used. This fertilizer activates the formation of new roots, an increase in the leaf plate, as well as the active formation of new peduncles.
Foliar
This method of fertilizing is applied if the root system is sick or badly damaged.
Orchid in a pot with large roots
In the process of foliar dressing, you should adhere to such rules:
- The concentration of the solution is reduced by 2 times, on average 2.5 ml of fertilizer is taken per 1.5 liters of water;
- Top dressing is carried out early in the morning and after it for 3-4 hours the flower is protected from direct sunlight;
- Spraying is carried out in a warm room without drafts;
- The plant is sprayed very carefully, avoiding the ingress of liquid into the growth points and peduncles.
Note! You can not spray flowers. If the liquid still got on the flowers or buds, you need to dry them with a dry cloth.
Folk remedies
Such dressings are always at hand, are considered cheap and environmentally friendly, in addition, they will remarkably enrich the soil and save the flower from the development of various diseases:
- Coffee or tea. These two drinks contain a huge amount of minerals that are so necessary for the plant.
- Banana skin. Fresh or dried peel of one banana is insisted in one liter of warm water. The resulting infusion is filtered, diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 and fertilize the orchid after watering.
- A decoction of potatoes. Contains a large amount of potassium and phosphorus. After boiling the potatoes, water is drained, filtered, cooled and used to feed orchids.
- Onion peel decoction with lemon peel or mandarin peel. Folk recipe - 50 grams of husks are crushed, poured with three liters of water, brought to a boil, removed from heat and insisted for 10-12 hours. The infusion is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 and is used to spray or water the orchids.
- Ash from coniferous trees. A solution is prepared from it. Take 200 grams of ash, pour 1 liter of water, insist one day. The infusion is filtered and used for root dressing.
- Chicken bones. Dry bones are crushed and sprinkled with soil powder in a pot.
- Chicken egg shell. It is crushed into powder and introduced into the soil.
- Liquid after cooking brown brown rice. Favorably affects growth.
Falenopsis foliar top dressing
Important! Conducting regular and proper dressing is necessary for the plant due to the characteristics of the soil in which it grows.
Is it possible to feed with yeast
Is it possible to water the orchid with yeast and how best to do it?
White orchid in a glass tray with moss soil
Fungi contained in yeast:
- Promote a more active growth of orchids;
- Positive effect on immunity;
- Provide resistance to adverse conditions, diseases and pests;
- Extend the duration and abundance of flowering.
Yeast also increases the activity of microorganisms in the soil and increases the level of carbon dioxide produced.
Yeast top dressing is prepared as follows:
- For 1 liter of water take 10 grams of yeast and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of granulated sugar;
- The components are mixed and insisted for two hours in a warm place;
- The resulting infusion is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 5 and water the flower.
Organic fertilizer
How to feed an orchid from organics at home, so that it grows well, blooms profusely, and also fixes well in a pot with a light substrate?
Yeast supplementation
The best fertilizers are rotted manure and wood ash.
Manure
The best for feeding orchids is considered rotted horse manure. It must be dissolved in water (1 kg per 10 liters of water) and water the flower during the period of active growth of leaves.
Ash
The ash obtained after burning wood is bred in water (200 grams per 1 liter of water) and used for watering orchids. Such a remedy will make up for the lack of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and other nutrients in the soil.
The process of feeding orchids in a transparent pot
This fertilizer is able to get rid of rotting damaged places on the plant.
Flower feeding periods
When is it best to fertilize an orchid depending on the time of year and stage of flower development?
In winter
At the beginning of winter, all orchids need a minimum amount of fertilizer. With the advent of January, most varieties of orchids are at rest. At the end of winter, it is necessary to gradually increase the amount of fertilizing. How often do you need to feed an orchid in the winter so that it develops well? It is recommended to make top dressing no more than once a month. As fertilizers, it is better to use phosphorus-potassium complexes, which activate the appearance of new buds and help Phalaenopsis bloom.
Fall
In early September and until the end of November, it is necessary to increase the number of top dressings, as the plant is preparing for flowering. It is necessary to make fertilizers with a frequency of once every 10-14 days. For a good bud formation, the orchid needs nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The plant should be fed complex fertilizers for orchids, which can be purchased at the flower shop.
Feeding during flowering
Is it possible to feed orchids during flowering, and how to do it right? Phalaenopsis needs additional nutrition during the formation of peduncles and during the formation of buds. Therefore, it is fed twice a week with complex fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen.
Orchid blooms in pink flowers.
When most buds open, it is best to reduce the frequency of top dressing to once a week. Otherwise, the flowering period will be short and the development of new buds will stop.
After flowering
How often to feed an orchid after flowering and should it be done? After the orchid has faded, it needs to regain its strength and get the necessary nutrition. After flowering, the plant is fed for seven days, as the last flower has blossomed. After that, do not disturb the orchid for two weeks. During dormancy, orchids need to be fertilized with complexes containing nitrogen and a small amount of phosphorus.
The process of feeding after flowering
It is not necessary immediately after flowering to cut the peduncle. Very soon, with proper nutrition and lighting, either a lateral peduncle can grow out of it, or a baby will form.
For any grower, it is important that the flower is healthy, well developed. To do this, you need to regularly fertilize the orchid in accordance with the above rules, and it will decorate the house with its emerald leaves and beautiful flowers.
