How to Fertilize Phalaenopsis Orchids « Brooklyn Orchids

by brooklynorchids

Like all living things, orchids need nutrition. Feeding (fertilizing) your orchid is an important part of caring for it and making sure that it lives a long and healthy life. This post about how to fertilize an orchid is waaaaayyy overdue…but better late than never, right? I’m going to talk specifically about fertilizing Phalaenopsis (moth) orchids because Phals are the most common orchids for beginners, available everywhere from corner delis to Home Depot, Ikea, and Trader Joe’s.

How Orchids Grow in the Wild

Before I get into the actual process of how to fertilize your orchid (which is actually not difficult), it’s important to understand how Phalaenopsis orchids grow in the wild. Phals are epiphytes , which essentially means they are air plants—they grow off of tree trunks, branches, rocks, and other items in nature. Their roots are mostly, if not entirely, exposed to the air; Phals do not grow up out of the soil like a typical terrestrial plant. The roots collect moisture and nutrients from the surrounding environment; basically, organic materials like rotten leaves, bird droppings, and minerals in rainwater serve as orchid food.

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