Orchids – members of the Orchidaceae family – are flowering perennials and those grown as houseplants often have waxy, face-like flowers, thick stems, and glossy foliage.
This diverse plant family contains over 30,000 species and there are orchids growing wild on all continents except Antarctica.
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Our guide to growing orchids has all you need to know to cultivate these beautiful flowers at home.
This article focuses on when and how to feed orchid houseplants.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
What You’ll Learn
Why Feed Orchids?
The answer is simple: In nature, many of the orchid species we cultivate as houseplants grow on trees and rocks, using them for structural support and taking nothing in return.
Of the remaining species, some grow in organic debris called leaf litter, and the rest live in soil – these are commonly referred to as terrestrial orchids.
When we grow houseplant favorites like moth orchids or Cattleya species in pots, we typically pot them in loose, chunky materials like:
- Bark
- Clay Balls
- Coconut Coir
- Gravel
- Horticultural Charcoal
- Perlite
- Sphagnum Peat Moss
These products, alone or in combination, make excellent growing media for orchids because they give the roots something to grab, and they absorb water and nutrients.
However, these substrates do not contain food. So the logical question you may ask is, “Why don’t we use nutrient-dense soil?”
Unless the species you are growing is a terrestrial type, the roots would suffocate.
Most houseplant species are tree-dwelling epiphytes or rock-clinging lithophytes. In the wild, they obtain nutrients from the rainwater that washes over them.
At home, in pots, they rely on growers to supply food to sustain them.
Let’s look at some feeding options.
Fertilizer Options
To feed, you can use an all-purpose houseplant food or one specifically formulated for orchids.
Fast-acting concentrates, powders, and ready-to-spray liquid products suit most common houseplant species.
For specimens that are growing in soil, you can also consider using slow-release granules or liquid or solid feeding spikes.
All appropriate fertilizer types contain nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), essential macronutrients that support general health and the development of robust leaves, flowers, and roots.
The ideal N-P-K ratio is evenly balanced, such as 20-20-20. Avoid products that are high in nitrogen, as these may cause an overabundance of foliage and inhibit flower production.
Your choice will likely depend upon the frequency of application and the cost and availability of suitable products in your area.
Here are some products to consider:
The first is a fast-acting liquid concentrate.
This concentrated liquid has an N-P-K ratio of 2-2-2. Mix it with water, pour it over the root zone, or use a spray bottle to mist the leaves and roots.
Apply it every one to two weeks in the spring and summer and two to four weeks in the fall and winter.
You’ll find this product available from TPS Nutrients via Amazon.
Next is a water-soluble powder, with a N-P-K ratio of 20-20-20.
Dissolve this powder in water and pour it over the roots and growing media every 10 to 14 days.
Grow More Premium Fertilizer 20-20-20
This option is available from Grow More via Amazon.
Here’s a fast-release, ready-to-spray, general houseplant liquid feed.
This all-purpose, balanced, ready-to-use liquid contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium-containing potash in a 1-1-1 ratio. Apply it weekly.
You’ll find this selection available from Arbico Organics.
Next is another type of ready-for-use liquid.
You may like this eight-ounce ready-to-spray liquid product formulated for direct foliar and root application.
Spray it over the leaves, roots, and substrate weekly, avoiding direct contact with the flowers, for an immediate boost of nutrients.
This product is available from Miracle-Gro via Amazon.
Consider the following controlled-release, granular, general houseplant option that feeds for up to nine months.
Dynamite Flower & Vegetable Food has an N-P-K of 13-13-13. It’s a slow-release, water-soluble granular product for terrestrial orchid varieties that grow in soil.
Sprinkle it over the growing medium around, but not touching the roots and stems of the plant.
Dynamite Flower and Vegetable Food
You’ll find this selection available from Dynamite via Amazon.
Liquid fertilizer spikes are another feeding choice.
This product is for soil-based species. Each contains a pre-measured quantity of 2-2-2 liquid food for three weeks of continuous feeding. A slow drip prevents root burn.
Liquid Orchid Fertilizer Spikes
Liquid spikes are available from The Green Alcove via Amazon.
Finally, here are solid, slow-release spikes.
This option provides two months of controlled feeding via solid spikes inserted into the potting medium. They are best suited to species grown in potting soil.
Miracle-Gro Orchid Plant Food Spikes
Solid spikes are available from Miracle-Gro via Amazon.
With an understanding of the types of products available, it’s time to talk about when and how to feed.
When and How to Feed
The general consensus of expert growers is to “feed weakly, weekly.” It’s better to err on the side of feeding too little than too much, as excess minerals can easily burn the tender roots.
Whether you choose an all-purpose houseplant food or an orchid-specific formulation, you should dilute the recommended quantity to one-quarter and apply it as often as the manufacturer recommends.
By diluting the fertilizer, we are not changing the frequency of application but reducing the quantity of food to avoid burning the roots.
The quantities of liquids, granules, and powders are easy to adjust, and solid spikes are easily cut.
However, pre-measured liquid spikes may be more difficult to regulate, as you will have to estimate and squeeze out some of the liquid in the vial.
Once a month during the growing season, flush the pot thoroughly with water to remove mineral salts that build up from fertilizer applications.
If the buildup is excessive, remove the plant and dispose of the old growing media.
Sanitize the pot with a 10 percent bleach solution (nine parts water to one part household bleach), and rinse it well. Fill the clean pot with fresh growing media and replant.
Repot your orchid when the roots protrude from the bottom of the pot. Even if they don’t, it’s best to discard old media and replace it with fresh every one to two years.
A Little Goes A Long Way
Let’s recap.
Most orchids commonly grown as houseplants are epiphytes or lithophytes accustomed to clinging to trees or rocks for structural support and relying on rainwater for hydration and nutrients.
To avoid suffocating the roots, home gardeners use loose, nutrient-poor substrates rather than soil, which lend support but supply no nutrients.
Feeding is challenging because we want to:
Avoid an excess of leaf production that could suppress blooming.
Protect tender roots from fertilizer burn.
To meet the challenges, use a product with a balanced N-P-K ratio diluted to one-quarter strength. Apply it at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer to support general health, and optimal flower, leaf, and root development.
A little food goes a long way toward growing the flowers of your dreams. Add a feeding schedule to your garden planner today!
What is your feeding regimen for your orchids? Please tell us in the comments section below.
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