8 Best Orchid Fertilizer and Orchid Food Using Guide

Are you a bit confused about what makes the best orchid fertilizer? Do you have questions about when to use orchid food? Allow us to help!

Orchids are loved for their gorgeous colors and diversity. These flowering plants have nearly 28,000 species that can do wonders to amp up your garden or indoor space. To grow these breath-taking plants in your home, you will need to take good care of them and ensure they are adequately fed with the required nutrients.

With lots of fertilizer products in the market, picking out the best one for gorgeous color and fragrance can get tricky. But worry not, as we will help you decide upon a suitable product through this article. We will cover all the best orchid fertilizers available in the market currently. Also, we will be talking about the application procedure and a few other things. Let’s get going!

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OUR FAVORITES

Best Orchid Fertilizer Reviews – Top 8 Products

Before we go into details of how you can use fertilizers and other topics, we thought it was best to touch upon some of the best orchid fertilizer products first.

In this section, we will review 8 tried and tested products that have yielded superior results and are perfect for your plant’s optimal growth. By the end of this section, you should somewhat be able to pick one that will fit best with your needs.

1. Miracle-Gro Ready-To-Use Orchid Plant Food Mist – Top Pick 

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This orchid fertilizer boasts about providing nutrition to your plants almost instantly. For optimal results, it is recommended to spray this fertilizer on the leaves, new growths, and roots. Make sure to avoid spraying the flowers. Also, you should apply fertilizer once each week.

Item Weight: 1.26 pounds

Product Size: 4 x 5 x 18 inches

Fertilizer Type: Ready-To-Use spray solution

Application: Spray on new growth, leaves, and roots

The spray has an NPK ratio of 30-10-10. The 8-ounce bottle can last for 3 to 6 months on one plant. The foliage becomes lush and greener with each use. The results are evident as the flowers begin to grow abundantly and look more vibrant as well.

Pros

• The applicator bottle is straightforward to use.
• Perfect as orchid food and helps the plants thrive.
• A good value for money.
• Lasts for at least 3 to 6 months if sprayed on one plant.

2. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Orchid Food – Best Strong Roots Food

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This fertilizer helps lower the pH level of the soil. The resulting acidic soil helps promote greener leaves, vibrant flowers, and strong roots.

Item Weight: 0.15 pounds

Product Size: 2.5 x 2.5 x 4.3 inches

Fertilizer Type: Water-soluble granules

Application: Apply solution to soil while watering

The best part is that you can use the fertilizer on both garden orchids and potted plants. However, the amount of fertilizer for each type of plant differs. You need to dissolve ¼ teaspoon of fertilizer in a gallon of water for indoor plants. In contrast, you can go ahead and dissolve 1 tablespoon of formula for plants growing in your garden soil.

The plants should be watered beforehand so that they are dry at the time of fertilizer application. Make sure you only apply the solution to the roots and avoid the foliage for indoor plants. For outdoor plants, run the solution into the soil properly.

Applying the fertilizer formula every 14 days during the growth period is suitable for excellent results. You can apply it once every month when the orchid plants are not experiencing their growth season.

Pros

• Yields fast results.
• Easy application.
• Value for money.

3. Orchid Food by Perfect Plants – Best Versatile Fertilizer 

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You can add pellets to the mulch or moss layer to obtain optimal results. Your foliage will become thicker and greener, whereas your flowers will have broader and more vibrant petals.

Item Weight: 0.3 pounds

Product Size: 5 x 3 x 0.25 inches

Fertilizer Type: Pellets

Application: Apply solution to soil, water after

The best part about the pelletized formula is that the thickly coated pellets are sensitive to soil conditions. They release Food and nutrition to the plant only when it detects a need. A steady release helps support your Orchid plants in the long run.

One pack of the product will last for at least 3 years if used on a single plant. Depending on your needs, it can also easily be used on more than one plant. The fertilizer helps lower the pH of the soil, which in turn results in healthy orchids. Plus, the resealable bag allows easy storage when not using the fertilizer.

Pros

• Produces new growth rapidly.
• Easy to use.
• Long-lasting and effective.
• Heavy-duty bag for storage.

4. Organic Ready to Spray Orchid Food Mist Bloom Booster Fertilizer – Best Food For Potted Orchids

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It promises to help boost growth by promoting a more robust root system, colorful flowers, and lush foliage.

Item Weight: 0.55 pounds

Product Size: 6.54 x 5.24 x 2.28 inches

Fertilizer Type: Ready-To-Use Spray

Application: Apply directly on the soil

This urea-free formula prevents root burn, which in turn leaves your orchids healthy and happy after application. The growth rate will increase, and new blooms will appear quicker. There is no need to make solutions or use measurements of any kind since you can apply this fertilizer directly from the bottle. It is also suitable for weak plants and newly sown plants.

You can easily use this fertilizer spray on numerous orchid varieties, including dendrobium, vanda, cymbidium, cattleya, and even phalaenopsis. Do not hesitate to use it on live orchids and potted orchids either.

Pros

• Fast results.
• Effective for potted orchids.
• Inexpensive.

5. Sun Bulb Company 8305 Better Gro Orchid Plus Bloom Booster Fertilizer – Best Urea-Free Formula 

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Not only will the resulting flowers have larger petals, but these will also be brighter and even more gorgeous. A high amount of phosphate is another reason behind all of this.

Item Weight: 1 pound

Product Size: 7.5 x 1.2 x 4.3 inches

Fertilizer Type: Water-soluble granules

Application: Apply directly on plants

You will need to apply this fertilizer after every 4 watering sessions. An ideal solution is 1 teaspoon of fertilizer for every gallon of water. The NPK ratio is 11-35-15 for this formula, and each bag contains 16 ounces of product.

Pros

• Yields fast results.
• Simple application.
• Affordable.

6. Orchid Potting Mix by Aquatic Arts – Most Long-Lasting Orchid Fertilizer 

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Along with proper sunlight and water, this formula works wonders to help boost plant health and growth. Dying plants will come back to life, the foliage will become lush, and the resulting blooms will be larger, abundant, and colorful.

Item Weight: 0.61 pounds

Product Size: 6 x 2 x 1 inches

Fertilizer Type: Liquid

Application: Apply solution on soil

The application of this formula is simple. You will need to create a solution by adding one part of the liquid fertilizer in two cups of water. The original bottle will last between 6 months and a year. You can use this fertilizer on your plants without having to worry about root burns, as it’s a gentle formula with no harmful additives.

It is possible to use this fertilizer to help boost growth in many orchid varieties. These include Cattleya, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Cymbidium, Moth, Vanda, Paphiopedilum, Zygopetalum, Livilan, Neofinetia, Laelia, and even Bat plants. The NPK ratio is perfect for boosting new growth, promising strong roots, and preventing root rot.

Pros

• Promotes fragrant flowers.
• Simple application.
• Value for money.
• Gentle on the roots.

7. Miracle-Gro Orchid Plant Food Spikes – Top Pick For Easy Application

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Like what is expected of orchid fertilizer, this formula also helps promote lush, green foliage with large, abundant blooms full of color. Moreover, the spikes only need to be stuck into the soil during the growing season.

Item Weight: 0.3 pounds

Product Size: 0.6 x 5.3 x 8.3 inches

Fertilizer Type: Spikes

Application: Cut in half and place into the soil

To apply the spikes, cut them in half and press them down into the soil of your potted plant. It should do the rest of the work itself. Make sure you do this when the orchid plant is in its growing season and is in its active stage. Make sure to apply the sticks uniformly so that every part of the soil in your pot is covered. You will need to replace the spikes every two months.

Pros

• Helps revive non-flowering plants.
• Yields beautiful results.
• Lasts for 2 months.
• Super simple application.
• Excellent product in contrast to price.

8. Espoma Organic Orchid! Bloom Booster Plant Food – Best Organic Orchid Fertilizer 

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This excellent plant food will help your orchids develop greener foliage, stronger roots, and larger flowers. The flowers will also bloom and bud faster and will be more vibrant.

Item Weight: 1.46 pounds

Product Size: 7.13 x 6.85 x 1.73 inches

Fertilizer Type: Liquid

Application: Apply the solution to soil

This organic formula is free from harmful chemicals. However, you should always wear gloves when handling any formulas or touching garden soil. An ideal recommended solution combines 2 teaspoons of liquid fertilizer in 1 quart of water. Mix thoroughly before drenching the soil.

Always make sure to get the soil wet enough so that fertilizer reaches every part of the soil in your potted plants. Catch excess water in the saucer to drain off later.

Pros

• Very easy to apply.
• Organic formula.
• Affordable.

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Best Fertilizer For Orchids

Firstly, the best orchid fertilizer is simply one that works for you. It is up to you to decide whether you should go for organic or inorganic formula. Furthermore, liquid, granules, pellets, and spikes are fertilizer types that you can pick out based on plant needs and preferences. However, we can help you determine the best brand that produces all types of formulas for nearly all orchid varieties.

We vouch for Miracle-Gro products. Not only can you find all types of fertilizers, but you will also be able to get them in different quantities that you desire. The fertilizers from this brand produce excellent results and help promote lush foliage, vibrant flowers, and strong roots.

So, what type of fertilizer should you use for your orchids? The best orchid fertilizer can be picked out after assessing a few factors. We shall look at what these are in this section. Before we do that, we want to make a few things clear:

• All orchid plants require a combination of 13 nutrients to grow and thrive.
• Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are some of the most important elements essential for orchid growth.
• A fertilizer that helps keep the pH levels lower is ideal as orchids thrive well in acidic soil.

Let us now look at a few factors that will help you decide the best orchid fertilizer:

Orchid Plant Food Nutrients

Fertilizers are usually labeled with an N-P-K ratio, which indicates the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium present in them. Since these elements are excellent for orchid growth, most fertilizer packaging will have a label defining the exact ratio present in the formula.

Nitrogen is necessary for new leaves; phosphorus helps strengthen and build a stronger root system, whereas potassium will help the plant adapt to its environment. It will be able to withstand climatic changes and pest attacks. Overall health and growth are ensured by these three elements in an orchid fertilizer.

This ratio is essential to consider while purchasing different ratios will help with different stages of plant development. A fertilizer high in potassium will help flowers bloom more rapidly, and the blooms will be more significant. A fertilizer higher in nitrogen is required once the flowers wither away.

Furthermore, these are not the only nutrients necessary for plant growth. Many others, such as sulfur, magnesium, and calcium, are also required to help the plant function properly. A solid combination of ingredients will help boost growth, reproduction, and immunity.

Orchid Fertilizer 20-20-20

Some fertilizers suited to gorgeous orchids have an N-P-K ratio of 20-20-20. This means that it will provide all three elements in balanced amounts if you apply this fertilizer formula to your Orchid plants. This formula is excellent for terrestrial orchid plants. However, epiphytic orchids that grow in the bark will not be delighted with such a ratio. This is because bark has lower levels of nitrogen.

A fertilizer higher in nitrogen is excellent for orchids that are not being grown in regular soil. A 20-20-20 ratio is perfect for orchids not growing in other mediums. Always be sure that your plant is a terrestrial variety of orchids. These varieties are 200 in number.

What Kind Of Fertilizer Is Available To Buy

The best orchid fertilizer can be liquid, granular, pelletized, or spike form. These need to be applied differently over different periods for the best results. Most gardeners and plant enthusiasts prefer liquid formulas and granules. These granules can be dissolved in water, and you can pour the resulting solution down the soil.

The same goes for a liquid formula. This one, too, can be turned into a dilute solution using the concentrated liquid. The best part about both of these is that they can be applied while watering the plant. No additional preparation is needed. Spikes are another great option as they are easy to use, but these are primarily slow-release formulas. Pellets are also slow-release and are perfect for gardeners wanting to feed their plants slowly and gradually.

However, the bad part about spikes and pellets is that they can be visible for some time. These are a big no if you have kids or pets roaming about. They might pull or pick these out, which is a significant cause of concern and a true safety hazard.

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Tips For Selecting The Right Orchid Feed

In this section, we have compiled a list of some of the tips you can follow to get your hands on the best orchid fertilizer products in the market. Following these will help make the process easier and enable picking a quality product, totally a breeze. Let’s take a look:

• Always read labels before going in to purchase any orchid fertilizer. Always look for ingredients that your orchid plant is undeniably most hungry for. These include sulfur, magnesium, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
• Avoid buying products that contain urea. This will cause your plant’s roots to burn and kill it off instead of reviving it. The nitrogen present in the urea compound requires microorganisms to break down and be released. Therefore, a formula with urea will not work in the long term.
• It is also best to ensure that the ingredients do not contain other harmful ingredients either.
• Use a fertilizer that is dedicated to orchids. Even if you choose to use other kinds, make sure to dilute these if you are unsure of the required amount. Fertilizing every week with a dilute solution is always less harmful than fertilizing using a concentrated solution each month.
• Always read usage instructions and apply the correct amount of fertilizer. Concentrated levels can cause root burn.

How To Fertilize Orchids

Now that you know of some tips and tricks you can follow to pick out the best orchid fertilizer, it is time to look at how you can successfully apply this to your plant. Below is a list of steps you can follow to do this:

Step 1

Always remove any decorative pots that your orchids are sitting in before applying fertilizer. Most people use a 10-30-20 ratio for garden plants. This should always be diluted to half strength using water. Indoor plants can be fertilized using a solution made by mixing ¼ teaspoon of fertilizer in 1 gallon of water.

Step 2

Before applying any chemical to your plant, always read instruction labels and manufacturer’s instructions. Usually, you will have to mix ½ or 1 teaspoon of granular formula into a gallon of water. In contrast, you will need half a cup to a full cup of liquid formula for each gallon of water to create the desired solution. If you are unsure, under-fertilizing is your best bet.

Step 3

Whether your orchids are present in garden soil or a potting medium, getting the soil wet before applying fertilizer is always a great idea.

Step 4

Pour your solution onto the soil using a can or watering jug. Avoid the foliage and flowers as getting them wet can result in the growth of molds and fungus.

Step 5

Make sure the solution used to drench the soil can get good drainage. Collect the excess water in a saucer if it is a potted plant. You can discard it once all excess has trickled down to the bottom. Once drained, you can replace your plants in their decorative pots or containers.

Step 6

Make sure to avoid watering your orchid plants after they have been fertilized. Excess water can cause root rot and may kill off your plant.

Fertilizers are a great way to add further nutrients to the soil, so applying a good formula regularly is always a great idea. However, sodium can build up over time and ruin your plants. To help prevent this, make sure you flush down the soil every once in a while. It is recommended to do this using clean water after every 3 fertilizer feeds.

How Often To give Your Orchid Food?

During the flowering season and active growth season, it is best to fertilize orchid plants weekly. These periods will fall between the spring and summer seasons. You can also fertilize once every month during the autumn and winter seasons.

The Best Time To Give Your Orchid Food?

Once the soil or bark is wet after a watering session, you should fertilize immediately after. You can water the fertilizer solution over the bark or soil and let the excess drain off. Make sure to discard the excess. Never fertilize your plants in their decorative pots to prevent waterlogging.

When To Fertilize Orchids When Blooming?

There are a lot of Orchid plant varieties that produce blooms once or twice each year. The flowers are very sensitive and delicate. They will respond adversely if you apply too much fertilizer. You should always treat a flowering plant with a dilute fertilizer solution. An ideal mix can be achieved by mixing 1⁄4 teaspoon of formula in a gallon of water. You can go ahead and apply this every month during the flowering season or can do it every 3 weeks.

Should I Be Fertilizing Orchids In Winter?

Some Orchid varieties will not mind being fertilized during the winters. But, you should know what each one is. For example, Phalaenopsis are evergreen orchids that need to be fertilized throughout the year. However, you should reduce the dosage during the winter season. This is because plants tend to slow down growth during the colder months and do not require many nutrients. You can apply feed monthly and reduce the strength by half.

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Conclusion

By now, we have covered all questions and concerns you might have regarding the best orchid fertilizer for your plants. We are sure that you will be able to go ahead and pick the best type of fertilizer for your plants by now.

Make sure to follow the guide and read all instructions on the packaging. You should also be well aware of the orchid varieties you have and any specific requirements. For optimal results, make sure you water your plants and let them get enough sunlight. Along with all of this, a good fertilizer will work wonders.

Moreover, if you pick one of the brands from our list, we are sure you will get great results. You will end up with greener plants that are stronger and have way more flowers than ever before. These blooms will be more fragrant, more prominent, and truly vibrant in color.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on the best orchid fertilizer today!

Happy planting!

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