Orchids Are Not Blooming With Too Much Fertilizer
- Overfertilization of orchid plants may result in a diminished number of blooms or no blooms at all. Such a problem occurs in two instances. When a standard orchid plant receives too much fertilizer, a buildup of salt and other minerals in the soil surrounding the plant dehydrates the orchid. This results in few or no blooms. Some gardeners provide lots of fertilizer to plants in poor health, thinking the fertilizer provides materials the plant needs to recover. Overfertilization of sick plants, however, exacerbates most problems orchids suffer from.
- A lack of blooms constitutes only one of the many problems orchids suffer when overfertilized. Overfertilization leads to dark, droopy foliage, particularly in instances of diminished blooms. Water-soluble fertilizer causes flower burn in orchids, which leads to darkened, wilted petals. It may also shorten the bloom time of plants. Overfertilization may damage orchid roots by causing blackened root tips. Such roots draw little water or nutrients from the soil, which in turn causes foliage to wilt and results in few or no blooms.
- Proper fertilization methods for orchids vary depending on the source, though nearly all expert sources, including Iowa State University and Colorado State University, agree that orchids do not require fertilizer while in bloom. Fertilize orchids early in the growing season and after blooms diminish at the end of the growing season, but only once every two or three months. Apply a 1-1-1 ratio fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 or a 20-20-20 at a rate of 1 1/2 tsp. per every gallon of water given to a plant. Use a 3-1-1 ratio fertilizer such as a 15-5-5 or a 30-10-10 with orchids grown in a potting medium that consists primarily of bark. Such mediums require a higher percentage of nitrogen. A number of liquid fertilizers exist specifically for use with orchids.
- Salt and minerals from fertilizer stay in soil when overfertilization occurs. If an orchid suffers from overfertilization, remove it from all soil or potting medium, wash it lightly with water to remove all potential fertilizer from the roots and stems, and replant it in fresh soil without any fertilizer. Apply regular watering and keep the plant in ideal conditions. The book "Orchids for Dummies" suggests that trace amounts of nutrients such as sodium, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, iron and molybdenum benefit orchids. If possible, purchase a fertilizer containing small amounts of these nutrients and apply at the recommended rate.