Agrowinn’s “Acid Lovers Plant Food” is specifically formulated for gardeners that prefer to feed their plants naturally. This plant food gives acid-loving plants the nutrients they need, like Orchids, Azaleas, Hydrangeas, Gardenias, Plumeria, Cactus, Ferns, Camellias, Tropical Plants, Ericas, Kalmias, Columnias, and more.
Agrowinns Acid Lovers Plant Food contains nutrients that promote blossoms and superb follage. Great for Clay Soils.
Apply 1-2 cup for small plants . No need to till into soil. Water thoroughly after feeding. For flower bushes and bigger plants, use 2 to 3 cups around the base and over the drip line, or 1 pound for every inch of trunk diameter.
Derived from: Alfalfa Meal, Cottonseed Meal, Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Feather Meal,Potassium Sulfate and Sulfate of Potash Magnesia
Guaranteed Analysis: 6-3-7 Total Nitrogen (N) . 6. 0% 0. 3% Water Soluble Organic Nitrogen 5. 7% Water InsoIuble Organic Nitrogen Available Phosphoric Acid (P2O5) . 3. 0% Soluble Potash (K2O) . 7. 0% Calcium (Ca) . 3. 7% Magnesium (Mg) . 1 . 0%.
Orchids are some of the most popular and beautiful flowering houseplants, prized for their exotic blooms in a wide spectrum of colors and shapes. With over 25,000 species, orchids are also one of the largest plant families. But are orchids uniformly “acid-loving” plants when it comes to their preferred growing conditions? Let’s examine ideal pH ranges for different orchid types to get the full picture.
The Myth of Orchids as Strictly Acid-Loving
There is a common misconception that all orchids require highly acidic soil or potting mix with a low pH around 5.5 to thrive. In reality while many orchids grow best in mildly acidic conditions others originate from alkaline habitats naturally high in limestone or other minerals.
The optimal pH can vary significantly depending on the orchid type and its native environment. So there is no universal target pH that suits all orchids. Growers need to understand what conditions their particular orchids require and tailor care accordingly.
Factors that Influence an Orchid’s Natural pH
To determine whether an orchid naturally grows in acidic or alkaline conditions, consider:
- Where it grows – epiphytic on trees, lithophytic on rocks, or terrestrial in soil?
- The native geology – abundant in limestone and basalt or sandstone?
- Water exposure – soft rainwater or mineral-rich runoff?
Mimicking the orchid’s habitat often provides clues about ideal pH ranges they are adapted to.
Major Orchid Types and Preferred pH
Epiphytic Orchids
Epiphytes like phalaenopsis, cattleya, and oncidium grow on trees and prefer mildly acidic conditions. Their native pH is influenced by:
- Rainwater (pH 5.5-6)
- Decaying plant matter releasing organic acids
They thrive best with a pH around 5.5-6.5.
Lithophytic Orchids
Lithophytes like some phragmipedium, paphiopedilum, and vanda grow on limestone outcroppings. Here, the pH tends to be neutral to alkaline (pH 7-8) due to:
- Limestone geology buffering rainwater pH upward
- Hard water runoff leaching minerals
Terrestrial Orchids
Soil-dwelling orchids like cymbidium may prefer acidic (pH below 5.5) or alkaline (pH 7-8) conditions depending on the native location. Tropical forest soils are often mildly acidic.
Signs of Incorrect pH
Orchids will show signs of distress if their pH needs aren’t met:
- High pH symptoms: Small leaves, leaf tip burn, fewer flowers
- Low pH symptoms: Slow growth, yellow lower leaves, root loss
Adjust pH accordingly if issues arise.
Best Practices for Watering Based on pH
Tailor watering practices to match the orchid’s preferences:
- Acid-lovers: Use rainwater, reverse osmosis water, or acidify tap water
- Alkaline-lovers: Use hard tap water or add limestone
Always monitor pH periodically to keep levels optimal.
Making Adjustments to pH
- To lower pH, use mild acidifiers like citric acid or sulfuric acid
- To raise pH, add limestone-based components like oyster shell
Go slowly and recheck pH frequently to prevent overshooting the target range.
The Takeaway
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, consider the orchid’s native habitat pH preferences. Match conditions to support healthy growth and maximum blooms. Paying attention to pH allows you to mimic nature and grow vibrant, thriving orchids.
Frequency of Entities
- Orchids: 27 times
- pH: 26 times
- Acidic: 9 times
- Alkaline: 8 times
- Limestone: 5 times
- Conditions: 5 times
- Water: 4 times
- Grow: 4 times
- Native: 4 times
- Preferences: 3 times
- Rainwater: 3 times
- Adjust: 3 times
- Tailor: 2 times
- Signs: 2 times
- Distress: 2 times
- Tropical: 1 time
- Misconception: 1 time
- Examining: 1 time
How To Feed Your Acid Loving Plants
FAQ
What is the best fertilizer for orchids?
Do coffee grounds help orchids?
Is Miracle Grow good for orchids?
What does Epsom salt do for orchids?
Do orchids like acidic soil?
Yes, orchids typically prefer acidic soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. In general, they grow best in soils that are slightly acidic or neutral. To maintain the ideal soil pH for orchids, you can add peat moss or bark to your potting mix.
Do orchids have a different pH?
Depending on the species of orchid you’re growing, it will have adaptations to habitats that may have different pH. However, the majority of orchids we keep are epiphytes and have adapted to rain water which has an acidic pH of 5.5 due to carbonic acid (from CO2), and those orchids will fall into the range noted in the graphic.
What soil do Orchids need?
When it comes to orchids, there is a wide variety of plants and their soil requirements can vary greatly. Generally, orchids prefer to be planted in soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. However, some varieties of orchids, such as Phalaenopsis, prefer a more acidic soil, with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5.
What pH do Orchids need?
This is a hotly-debated topic online with hobby orchid growers assuming, 5.8 pH is the magic pH, where you get optimum nutrient availability and uptake in orchids; however, I call bluff on the necessity of that exact pH for all orchids.
Why does adjusting the pH matter for orchids?
There are two primary components of water that you need to understand (pH and water hardness), and those two concepts cascade into the how and why adjusting the pH matters for orchids. The acidity or basicity of your water is determined by the pH. Acidic water is under a pH of 6.5, basic water is over a pH of 7.5.
What type of soil does a Cattleya orchid prefer?
For example, the Cattleya orchid prefers neutral soil, while the Cymbidium orchid prefers a slightly alkaline soil. When selecting a soil for your orchid, it is important to consider the pH level of the soil. Soil with a pH of 7 is considered neutral, while soil with a pH lower than 7 is considered acidic.