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Can I Use Orchid Fertilizer On Other Plants? [ Here’s The Answer ]

Can I Use Orchid Fertilizer On Other Plants? [ Here’s The Answer ]

Just like humans, plants also like to share their food with neighbors. Orchids are no different, and with the regular price hiking, feeding other plants with leftover orchid fertilizer is an affordable option.

Orchids are a little fussy, but that is okay as long as they provide an exotic beauty in the ambiance.

To maintain the showy presence and secure timely bloom, the elegant plant needs regular fertilization.

But after misting them with fertilizers, you will notice plenty of leftovers. Since orchids are light feeders, a scanty amount goes a long way.

A passionate gardener can feel the temptation of using the food while watering other plants.

But they back off, presuming that if it causes any damage to other trees.

There is nothing to worry about since the NPK present in the fertilizers of orchids promotes healthy growth even in other plants.

Can I use orchid fertilizer on other plants?

Yes, you can use orchid fertilizer on other plants. You can receive a cluster of information about fertilizing the orchids, but unfortunately, most of them are a myth. The primary myth related to orchid fertilization is that there is no such thing as “orchid” fertilizers. Orchid admirers or growers should come out from this misconception and learn a lot more about fertilizers. They can easily feed the fertilizers to other plants to ensure they and the orchids thrive well.

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Orchid Food, 8 oz., 2-Pack

 

Check Our Favorite Fertilizer Here


Related:

  1. Why does your orchid flowers wilting: Know the reasons

Debunking the myth of orchid fertilizers

‘Orchid fertilizers’- is an entirely wrong statement. You can blame the Marketing department of some companies for making customers believe in such a thing that does not even exist.

Most manufacturers label some general plant fertilizers as ‘orchid fertilizers’ to sell those at a relatively higher price.

But if any sensible consumer ever compares the ingredients of an orchid fertilizer and a general plant fertilizer, he would understand the vicious policy.

Most standard fertilizers share common components like ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, potassium phosphate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, and cobalt sulfate. If you dig a little, you will also find the nutrients they provide are pretty much the same.

Their similarity does not end here.

You will get shocked when you find that the chemicals present in both of them are identical.

The same chemicals you use to care for your fancy orchids, gardeners use those for lawns, roses, and even tomatoes.

The expensive fertilizers, specially designed for orchids, are nothing but all-purpose general manure.

So, orchids, poinsettias, Easter lilies, perennials, flower beds, cacti, succulents, ferns, conifers, and a thousand other tropical plants share the same food with different label names. Compost especially designed for orchids does not contain any unique component rather than the normal ones.

Even though the percentage of components varies sometimes, this issue is negotiable as a minor manipulation of quantity does not reduce performance.

So, you can feed the so-called orchid fertilizers to other plants in your garden to enhance their beauty. After all, your garden looks good only when every plant there stays healthy.

Are there any side effects of using orchid fertilizer on other plants?

No, there are no side effects of applying orchid fertilizers on other plants as long as you are not over-applying them.

Even though it is advisable to use an orchid fertilizer for any household plant, it would be safer to avoid fruits and vegetable herbs. Since you will consume these edible plants later, general fertilizers can cause harm to the body of the devourer.

Each plant has its distinct requirement for nutrients.

More than the specific amount will cause side effects. Most of the blooming plants or garden herbs demand a small dose of manure.

If you provide them fertilizers in higher concentrations, this act can lead to their death. Be it an orchid, or lily, or any other green being, excessive compost causes irreparable harm to them.

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Orchid Food, 8 oz., 2-Pack

Click on the image for more info

 

This is our recommended fertilizer that you can use.

A limited amount of potent orchid fertilizer goes a long way

Orchid fertilizers are effective since they contain an equal and higher amount of N-P-K. Even though N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorus), and K (Potassium) are present in every fertilizer, the one for orchids contains the best ratio of them.

You can expect a 10-10-10 NPK ratio in a balanced orchid fertilizer.

Besides, the presence of other chemicals and nutrients makes orchid manure an elixir for many household plants.

You will get ample fertilizers especially manufactured for specific plants to meet their distinct demands.

But when a prudent consumer checks out the ingredients, he/she will notice that most fertilizers are more or less identical with a huge difference in pricing.

But if you want to go for the most balanced one, select orchid fertilizers for all your houseplants.

The nitrogen in orchid compost aids the plants to thrive

Well-built foliage increases the photosynthesis rate of a plant so that it can grow fast. Nitrogen provides healthy foliage to a plant.

If you notice a stunted growth in a plant or the leaves suddenly become wilted, investigate how much nitrogen the plant is getting.

Orchid fertilizers are rich in nitrogen that promotes branching new leaves and stems and accelerates the blooming process.

Apart from developing the foliage system, nitrogen count provokes the production of chlorophyll that accelerates photosynthesis.

So if you feel any other houseplant looks dull, you can feed them orchid manure. The result will be exemplary.

Do not overfeed your plant

Many newbie gardeners make the mistake of over-fertilizing plants, which is a big no. Most of the household plants require fertilization only once every 2-3 months.

Manure-overdose can cause pale foliage and make the plant prone to get infected easily.

Since balanced orchid fertilizer is high in N-P-K, a minimal concentration of it is enough to meet all the nutritional demands of a regular houseplant.


Also read:

  1. Ways to save orchid leaves

What else can you use for orchid fertilizer?

You can use orchid fertilizer to feed roses, succulents, and many other woody perennials. Like any general manure, orchid fertilizer also contains chemicals and nutrients that can meet the nutritional requirements of any plant. Apart from having the trio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, orchid food also comprises calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and boron.

These micronutrients aid the growth of most houseplants by elevating their photosynthesis rate.

A minimal amount of orchid fertilizer causes no harm and helps many other herbs to stay fit.

But before using orchid food as a regular fertilizer, compare the N-P-K ratio of the manure and the plant to get an outstanding result.

Can I use orchid fertilizer on peace lily?

Yes, you can use orchid fertilizer on peace lilies because they love the balanced ratio of N-P-K. Any gardener with a green thumb suggests fertilizing peace lily with an excellent quality water-soluble fertilizer. Without causing any harm to the graceful flower, the fertilizer efficiently meets their requirements.

When it comes to balanced houseplant fertilizer, nothing overpowers orchid food. The balanced N-P-K ratio of orchid fertilizer effectively aids the growth of peace lily.

Can I use orchid fertilizer on tomato plants?

Yes, you can use orchid fertilizer on tomato plants, but veteran botanists say you should not. There are two reasons why it is not okay to apply orchid fertilizer on tomatoes or any edible plants.

What you spray now, you will consume later.

You should have well-acknowledged the ingredients of manure, especially while applying it to vegetable or fruit plants. Sometimes orchid food contains harmful chemicals that can affect your health. So beware of the fact before fertilizing your tomato plant.

Test the soil

Orchid fertilizers are rich in nitrogen. So if the soil already has a high amount of nitrogen, then applying orchid food can cause dehydration. You can use balanced orchid fertilizer only when the soil lacks nitrogen.

Can I use orchid fertilizer on air plants?

Yes, you can apply orchid fertilizer to air plants. If your garden has both air plants and orchids, you do not need to purchase different fertilizers for them. Any orchid fertilizer with a minimal amount of copper will do the job effectively. To get maximum results, dilute the fertilizer before applying.

Can I use orchid plant food mist on other plants?

Yes, you can use orchid plant food mist on other plants, especially on houseplants. The orchid mist works as an elixir while providing a shiny, waxy look to the plant leaves.

The mist works wonders while applying on thicker leaves like orchids. Orchid food mist is nothing but water with added nutrients. The plant oil present there provides the leaves a ‘waxy’ look.

Can I use orchid fertilizer on anthuriums?

No, there is no proven fact that orchid fertilizer can meet the requirements of anthuriums. Even though there is merely any research done on this matter, orchid food is inappropriate for anthuriums.

Fertilizer with higher phosphorus amounts aids them to bloom faster and better. Since N-P-K is present in a balanced state in any orchid fertilizer, it will not be effective on anthuriums.


Also read:

  1. Can orchids grow in water? Know the answer

Final verdict

Hopefully, this article has given you a lot of information you need before using orchid fertilizer on other plants. As orchid food is rich in nutrients, houseplants thrive rapidly and bloom gracefully. It will also help you to cut down your garden budget a lot.