Question
hi again, Jim,  

I grow under T5 lights, and you recently helped me determine the distance away from the lights each species should live.

I use DynaGrow and superthrive to nourish the orchids. How do I know when to switch to "Bloom" vs. "Grow", or should I just used "Bloom" all the time?   Their directions indicate switching to "Bloom" 5-7 weeks before spike initiation.   How do I guess when that should be when I grown indoors?

thank you again and I hope your mother's health continues to improve.

Marcella

Answer
Hi again Marcella,

The usual regimen for fertilizing orchids is "Grow from March through September then "Bloom" from October to February.  But, if you want to keep things real simple, I'd suggest getting a balance (NPK numbers are the same or almost the same) type orchid fertilizer and use it year round.  The reason I suggest using a balance fertilizer is because not all orchids follow the same grow/bloom cycle, so using the balance type takes care of both cycles as orchids will take what they need when they need it.  If it needs the "grow" formula but you're giving it the "bloom", then it will be starving for the nutrients it needs in order to grow.  The same holds for "bloom" versus "grow".  

Thank you for the kind thoughts for my mother, she is taking "baby-steps" in her recovery.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.