TIL I wasted $80 on a fancy orchid fertilizer that killed half my plants

Bought this expensive orchid-specific fertilizer from a shop in Portland last spring. Figured the pros knew best but it was way too strong for my little phalaenopsis. Burned the roots on 4 out of 6 plants before I realized the directions were for commercial growers. Anyone else get burned by overhyped plant products?

2 comments

2 Comments

derekward1mo ago

I used to be one of those people who thought expensive specialty fertilizers were always better. Then I tried a $40 bottle of cactus mix that turned my little aloe into a sad, mushy mess. Now I just stick with a cheap balanced liquid feed at half strength and everything does way better. Sometimes those fancy formulas are really just designed for huge greenhouse operations, not our little kitchen windowsill plants.

brian_ramirez1mo ago

Aloes are succulents, not cacti - different water needs.