Question
QUESTION: Hi Wayne King,

Which orchids are suitable for organic fertilizer? I think organic fertilizer can be used for all terrestrial orchids.

Thanks in advance,

Nwe Lay

ANSWER: Yes, organic fertilizers can be used on all orchids. A master, commercial orchid grower I know, favors using a variety of fertilizers. alternating between them.  His rationale is that this avoids building up certain substances in concentrations that can be deleterious to growth. On the other hand, any one fertilizer may not contain certain trace elements or contain them in concentrations or proportions too small for maximum effect.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Wayne King,

Thanks for your quick reply.

May I ask how the commercial grower use organic fertilizer? In pallet or in liquid form? What kind of orchid fertilizer is mostly used? Cow manure or sheep dung?

Thanks in advance,
Nwe Lay

Answer
The use of fresh animal dung is toxic to plants.  Growers use commercial grade organics that have been sterilized.  The commercial organics are largely of two types: that based on seaweed and that based on fish emulsion.  These should be available in most garden supply stores.  They are usually sold as liquids although some are available in powdered concentrate which need to be dissolved in water prior to use.  Many of the fish emulsion preparations have a very fishy odor and you may want to avoid those.