February 20, 2010

DENDROBIUM 'Sirin Peach'
Dendrobium Sirin Peach is a beautiful orchid with peach blushes on the sepals and petals, very similar to Dendrobium Blushing.

Q & A

Can you please explan the NPK fertilizer use?
A. R. Mehta, Mumbai

NPK Stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Pottassium (K). These are the three elements essential for any plant growth and flowering. Orchids have special needs of NPK compared to other plants in general.

NPK ratio in fertilizers are denoted by 30-10-20, 18-18-18 etc. For example 30-10-20 means the ratio of Nitrogen to Phosphorus to Pottassium is 30:10:20.

Photo: DENDROBIUM 'Sirin Peach'

Some useful tips

a) 20:20:20 is an ideal mixture for potted orchids

b) 30:10:10 is better for hanging orchids or the orchids which grow on bark (more nitrogen necessary)

c) Towards the winter a ratio of 10:30:20 is used