In growing dendrobium orchids, the presence of the owner in his farm from sunrise to sunset is very much important. Potted orchids business entrepreneur should set a side time to supervise his orchid business so that when problems it can be attended quickly. This is what Edwin Veneracion did in growing his flowering dendrobium orchids to make money.
Like for example, not all of the thousands of flowering dendrobium orchids have the same growth level. There are dendrobiums that grow fast and there are also that grow slow. To solve this problem, all dendrobuim orchids that grow slow will be transferred to a new section away from the fast grower. In this way, you give the slow growers an opportunity to grow fast and catch up the fast growers.
Aside from watering it everyday, dendrobium orchids should be given special attention on proper nutrients and hormones right from the start. There are different formulations when the orchids are young. In the first two weeks after arrival of the seedlings from Bangkok like Edwin Veneracion did, they are planted immediately and hormone is sprayed on them every two days.
After the first two weeks, the seedlings are sprayed with a solution containing high nitrogen. This is a mixture of Peters 30-10-10, Peters STEM (soluble trace elements mix) plus hormone (Superthrive). The solution consists of 400 grams of Peters 30-10-10, 200 grams of STEM, and 50 ml Superthrive mixed in 200 liters of water. Spraying is done every week until they are five months old.
After five months, two different formulations are applied alternately every week. The first is a solution of 400 grams of Peters 20-20-20, 200 grams of STEM plus hormone and 50 ml of Superthrive mixed in 200 liters of water.
The other solution consists of 400 grams of Peters 10-52-10, 200 grams of STEM, plus 50 ml Superthrive mixed with 200 liters of water. This has a high phosphorous content which induces flowering. This is also called bloom booster.
When the flower spikes start to come out, two formulations are also applied alternately every week. The first formulation consists of 400 grams of Peters 20-20-20, 200 grams of STEM and 50 ml Superthrive per 200 liters of water.
The other formulation has higher potassium content. This consists of 400 grams of Peters 15-15-30, 200 grams of STEM and 50 ml Superthrive per 200 liters of water. The high potassium content makes the flower stems longer and enhances the color of the flowers.
Also, when the dendrobium orchids are three to four months old already, a pinch of Osmocote slow release fertilizer were placed in the pot. The medium is holed where the slow release fertilizer is placed. Fertilization on this kind is given once only because it will last up to three to four months.
There are many fertilizer brands in the market, including the organic liquid fertilizer. Dendrobium orchid growers always have the choice. The more important is you regularly feed your growing dendrobium orchids with the right formulation of fertilizer that will give them nutrients to grow fast and come up with beautiful flowers. Orchid lovers will surely love this and will buy orchids from you to boost their orchid flower arrangements.
Source: Manila Bulletin