Can I Use Orchid Fertilizer On Other Plants? Gardener’s Tips
Orchids add striking and elegant beauty to the garden ambiance. To retain that exotic presence and ensure timely bloom, the gardener needs to apply regular fertilization.
Since this flower is a light feeder, you might notice a lot of leftovers after misting it with fertilizer. A passionate gardener will find using leftover orchid fertilizer to grow other plants a suitable idea. Can I use orchid fertilizer on other plants?
Yes, you can apply orchid fertilizer on other houseplants as long as with the right amount. Although the strength is weaker compared to regular universal products, it still offers some equal nutrients.
It is an economical idea for gardeners. In this article, we’ll show a more detailed answer to this question.
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Can I Use Orchid Fertilizer On Other Plants?
What other plants like orchid food? – Orchid food for other plants
The answer is yes. You can deal with orchid manure as regular plant food and feed it to other houseplants to make them thrive.
If you look at the element lists of orchid food products and universal plant foods, you’ll notice they share many ingredients in common, just with different amounts.
Since most universal plant foods are for terrestrial greeneries growing from under the ground, their nutrient amounts are larger than those required by orchids.
Orchid manure also contains some elements that other houseplants specifically require and will be well-nourished with.
In short, fertilizer for a specific flower will surely benefit it, but using that product to feed different vegetables in the garden can also bring good results.
What Is In Orchid Fertilizer?
Phalaenopsis Blume consumes large amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus
Let’s break it down to see what nutrients are in orchid plant food.
- Nitrogen
Nitrogen is extremely vital to this flower as it helps produce chlorophyll and supports the growth of leaves. Orchids require plenty of nitrogen – way more than regular flowers, which may cause problems.
- Phosphorus
Orchids employ phosphorus to help with developing roots, seeds, and flowers.
Like nitrogen, you need to feed your greeneries with a large amount of phosphorus, and thus, things might be problematic.
While normal houseplants need about 5% phosphorus, these beautiful flowers require 10% phosphorus.
With extra phosphorus and nitrogen in orchid manure, it might be too overdosed for typical fertilization on plants in the garden.
- Potassium
Potassium plays a critical role in the general well-being of either orchids or other vegetables. Fortunately, the potassium ratio this greenery requires is closer to that of other houseplants.
Related Articles: Should you fertilize orchid when flower spike starts?
What Else Can You Use For Orchid Fertilizer?
Peace lilies require the same nutrients as orchids
You can use your plant food leftovers to treat a broad range of other greeneries, like roses, African violets, or succulents. They all react well to your generous nutrients.
Air Plants
If your landscape has both orchids and air plants, there’s no need to buy different food products for them. As long as your orchid manure has scanty copper, it will function effectively.
To achieve maximum results, you can dilute it before applying it.
African Violets
African violets are a perfect choice if you’re thinking about growing something besides your existing charming flower. One of the reasons is they can consume and thrive with Phalaenopsis fertilizer.
Also, African violets develop in quite the same environments as Phalaenopsis and share similar tastes regarding nutrient requirements.
Succulents
Any kind of succulents will appreciate nutrients included in Phalaenopsis food products.
Because they also require a scattered water schedule like most common types of orchids (except for ones with thigh humidity), succulents are sure to benefit from food leftovers used for Phalaenopsis.
Peace Lily
The leftovers are useful on peace lilies since these greeneries are into the balanced combination of N, P, and K.
Experienced farmers would suggest treating peach lilies with a high-quality water-soluble product.
This nutrient source will beautifully meet their requirements without exposing any unhealthy harm to your graceful flowers.
Concerning houseplant fertilizer with a balanced N-P-K ratio, nothing surpasses orchid food. This great advantage makes it an excellent assistant in growing peace lilies.
Roses
Like other general manures, Phalaenopsis food products contain nutrients and chemicals that can fit the nutritional demands of any vegetable.
Apart from the primary elements (phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen), Phalaenopsis food contains magnesium, molybdenum, calcium, boron, zinc, iron, manganese, and copper.
These micronutrients help with the development of most vegetables, accelerating the photosynthesis rate.
A scanty amount of Phalaenopsis nutrient source won’t cause any harm and will help many herbs stay fit.
To remind, compare the ratio of N-P-K of the plant and the manure before applying it as ordinary manure to ensure the desired result.
Will The Potassium In Orchid Fertilizer Help Other Plants?
Potassium plays a vital role in many plants’ immune systems.
Potassium helps maintain the flower’s health while fighting against infections and preventing diseases. This element is part of the greenery’s natural defense line, assisting in overall nourishment.
Just like human beings have a natural immune system, Phalaenopsis Blume utilizes potassium to create a rigid immune system, which fights against bacteria and natural pests.
Potassium also contributes to the flower’s resistance against cold, drought, heat, and over-watering.
Besides, this element functions as a critical regulator for the stomata’s closing and opening, controlling the leaves’ gas exchange.
The lack of potassium will render the natural exchange hindered, and the flower will start to wilt.
Potassium plays a vital role in caring for the leaves, where the stomata of pores are present. The first sign of potassium shortage is leaves with yellow tips.
Is Orchid Acid Loving Plant?
Is orchid an acid-loving plant? It should be because it doesn’t excel at coping with a flood of fertilizer or water.
Indeed, Phalaenopsis Blume usually performs better when living in light acidic water with a pH level of around 6.5.
However, this plant is pretty adaptable and can easily adjust to most conditions.
In general, it’s advisable to keep either the pH level of your fertilizing solution or the pH level of the orchid manure within the ideal extent for nutrient and mineral absorption.
Most orchids thrive best in a pH range of 5.5 to 6.0. Lower pH will allow your greeneries to soak up the essential nutrients they require to grow and flourish.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Using Orchid Fertilizer On Other Plants?
Improper fertilization may cause roses to die
You can treat your garden with orchid food without any side effects as long as you don’t apply it to herbs and fruits and over-fertilize them.
Because you and your family will consume those edible vegetables later, fertilizers can impair the eater’s body.
Also, different greeneries have different requirements for nutrients. Most garden herbs and blooming plants consume a tiny dose of food. The exceeding amount will pose side effects.
In the worst case, providing vegetables with too high concentrations could result in their death. Excessive compost generally will cause irreparable harm, be it a lily, orchid, or any green being.
Nitrogen Matters
Well-built foliage fosters a flower’s photosynthesis rate and increases its growth speed. And nitrogen is a critical part of healthy foliage.
If you realize a plant’s leaves suddenly get wilted or stunted growth, check the nitrogen amount it is consuming.
Phalaenopsis food is plenty of nitrogen which stimulates the branching of new stems and leaves and boosts the blooming process.
Improving a greenery’s foliage system aside, nitrogen count also provokes chlorophyll production that speeds up photosynthesis.
Avoid Overfeeding
Many beginner gardeners think that the more nutrients, the better, which is so wrong.
Most houseplants require fertilization once per 2-3 months only. Some manures can impair your flowers if applied in excess.
Because Phalaenopsis food contains more potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, you might be over-feeding other plants without even knowing.
This practice, of course, could damage or even lead to vegetables’ death if applied too often.
Plus, orchids need fertilization every week, whereas regular houseplants, as said, require fertilization of 2-3 months. Frequently feeding orchid manure to other greeneries can weaken them quickly.
You can watch how to fertilize Orchids via this video.
What Are Other Elements Added To Orchid Fertilizer?
Essentially, there are only three mentioned elements. We recommend utilizing crushed eggshells to add extra calcium and many more benefits.
You can choose from loads of manure supplements on the market to feed your orchids, like magnesium. Most Phalaenopsis nutrient products don’t include those supplements.
When you add them to your herbs and flowers, they will fit into the lack of essential nutrients those plants need, like zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, and boron.
Related Articles: Do You Fertilize Orchids When They Are In Bloom?
FAQs
Can I Use Orchid Fertilizer On Succulents?
Yes, you can use Orchid Fertilizer on Succulents, you can also be applied to roses. However, use it in the winter and do not need to water many succulents.
Can I Use Palm Fertilizer On Other Plants?
Yes, you can. Simply put, most plants need the same nutrients in the soil, so that you can use palm fertilizer on other plants.
Can I Use Citrus Fertilizer On Other Plants?
Yes, you can use it with other flowering plants such as roses, hibiscus, and bougainvillea, but please read the instructions carefully for the best effect.
Conclusion
The answer to “can you use orchid fertilizer on other plants?” is yes for most cases, provided that you employ the right amount. Orchid manure contains all the macronutrients that nearly every plant will appreciate.
Thus, Swipe Garden’s article has helped you answer questions in the process of fertilizing your plants. Happy gardening!
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