[PDF] Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium Nutrition of Three Orchid Genera1 | Semantic Scholar (2024)

FAQs

What does potassium do for orchids? ›

K (potassium) is for overall hardiness and disease resistance. There are also secondary nutrients and trace nutrients. Some orchid growers use high-nitrogen fertilizers such as 30-10-10 to grow more leaves and then change over to a balanced one.

Nitrogen (N) affects all levels of plant function from metabolism to resource allocation, growth, and development and Magnesium (Mg) is a macronutrient that is necessary to both plant growth and health.

Nitrogen deficiency is characterized by a general yellowing of the foliage over time. New growths may be greener as plants move available nitrogen to the front of the plant but eventually, left uncorrected, yellowing of even new growths will occur.

Orchids belong to the heterotrophic group. They obtain nutrition from dead and decaying organic matter, thus have saprophytic mode of nutrition.

Supplemental magnesium should be supplied to your plants regularly even if you use a Cal Mag fertilizer. 1/4 tsp/gal will provide 33 ppm magnesium.

While coffee grounds are a fantastic addition to your compost, the nature of their decomposition is not effective for most orchids. In addition, they cause rapid decomposition of orchid potting bark, creating an environment that is primed for root rot. It is best to save those grounds for other plants.

Typical symptoms of potassium deficiency in plants include brown scorching and curling of leaf tips as well as chlorosis (yellowing) between leaf veins. Purple spots may also appear on the leaf undersides. Plant growth, root development, and seed and fruit development are usually reduced in potassium-deficient plants.

The common symptoms of Mg deficiency are growth retardation and interveinal chlorosis on older leaves [2]. Normally, chlorosis begins in older leaves and then progresses to younger leaves [21,22].

Nitrogen (N) deficiency appears as a general pale yellowish-green plant with slow growth and reduced tiller development. If the deficiency persists, plants remain pale green, have reduced growth, and the stand appears thin.

"While orchids can take in all forms of nitrogen found in fertilizers (like nitrate, ammonia, and urea), they prefer the nitrate form of nitrogen for long-term health," she says.

What is the fastest way to fix nitrogen deficiency? ›

Fertilize: The most effective way to prevent and treat nitrogen deficiency is to fertilize the soil with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, such as urea, ammonium nitrate, or fish emulsion.

Orchids like bright, indirect light. Cool morning sun is best, so choose an east- or north-facing window, if possible. Supplement natural light with grow lights. A mix of both types of light increases blooms.

Orchids thrive when given a bit more fertilizer than other houseplants. In the summer, fertilize them every one to two weeks; during the winter, switch to fertilizing every month.

while i'm sure you will get other/better responses, my own experience is that sugar water can make an ok fertilizer or supplement when no better option exist (and a good fertilizer for some non-orchid plants).

The other two major nutrients are Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P). Potassium helps flowers and fruit to form and also toughens growth in order to resist pests and diseases. It also helps increase resistance to drought or extreme cold.

Orchids need to be fed regularly. Growers suggest using a "balanced" fertilizer such as 20-20-20 that includes all "necessary trace elements." Regardless of the fertilizer formulation you choose to use, it should contain little or no urea.

It's also highly favored by commercial orchid growers. Epsom salt bridges a very important gap that most standard fertilizers don't fill. When added to your orchid care routine, they can make a significant difference in the size and vigor of your plants. It can help add size and brightness to their precious blooms.