The Growth Technology Orchid Focus Grow & Bloom twin pack gives you both Orchid Focus nutrients in matching sizes: Grow for the growth phase and Bloom for when your orchid is in spike. Both are complete liquid orchid fertilisers with all 12 essential minerals, 100% of their nitrogen in the nitrate form and no urea, which has been shown to be toxic to certain orchids. They're also suitable for bromeliads and indoor plants.

When to use each

• Orchid Focus Grow: the growth phase, while your orchid is producing leaves and roots.
• Orchid Focus Bloom: from the time your orchid comes into spike and through flowering. It carries more potassium (2.4% against 2.0%) and less nitrogen (1.8% against 2.4%) than Grow.

Why orchids need their own nutrient

It's a myth that orchids don't need feeding. Orchids, particularly the epiphytes, evolved where mineral nutrients are in limited supply, so they need smaller amounts than other plants. But like all green plants, they rely on essential minerals to produce shoots, leaves and blooms, and they perform best on a nutritional program designed specifically for them.

• All 12 essential minerals: calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron and molybdenum, blended into one easily absorbed liquid concentrate with Growth Technology's Single Part Technology (SPT) and balanced to suit most orchids.
• 100% nitrate nitrogen and no urea. Orchids are commonly grown in inert media such as bark or perlite, which lack the soil bacteria and micro-organisms needed to convert urea into a form the plant can use, so urea can quickly become toxic. Nitrate is the ideal form of nitrogen for orchids, giving strong, healthy growth over long periods.
• Made using only high grade raw materials and chelated trace elements, for effortless absorption by the plant.
• Guaranteed free of chlorides, urea and sodium.
• pH buffered, with no pH adjusting needed in most tap water, and completely odourless.
• A complete feed every time. Slow release fertilisers depend on temperature and watering habits for which minerals they release and when. With a liquid nutrient, the full, balanced mineral profile is available to the plant at every application.

How to use

• Mix 5mL per litre of water and use at every watering for optimum results. Most orchids flourish at this rate.
• Follow the orchid growers' rule of "weekly, weakly": smaller doses on a regular basis give more consistent growth and healthier plants than stronger solutions fed infrequently.
• Once a month, give a dose of 8mL per litre for extra vibrancy and vigour.
• Never exceed 10mL per litre, the rate for heavy feeders such as actively growing Cymbidiums. Overfeeding can lead to root and leaf burn and inhibit flowering.
• Feed regularly during active growth, particularly spring and summer. Some orchids have dormant periods when no feeding is needed.
• Flush pots once a month with clean, plain water to clear any build-up of mineral salts.
• Foliar feeding: mix at half strength (2.5–5mL per litre) and apply as a fine mist to the foliage, including the undersides of the leaves. Avoid the blooms, and spray early in the morning to avoid heat damage from the sun.

Store in a cool, dark place.

Analysis (% w/v)

Orchid Focus Grow:
Nitrate-Nitrogen 2.4 | Phosphorus 0.5 | Potassium 2.0
Calcium 2.0 | Magnesium 0.5 | Sulfur 0.16
Iron 0.06 | Manganese 0.018 | Boron 0.004
Zinc 0.004 | Copper 0.003 | Molybdenum 0.001

Orchid Focus Bloom:
Nitrate-Nitrogen 1.8 | Phosphorus 0.6 | Potassium 2.4
Calcium 1.4 | Magnesium 0.3 | Sulfur 0.16
Iron 0.06 | Manganese 0.018 | Boron 0.004
Zinc 0.004 | Copper 0.003 | Molybdenum 0.001

Pack sizes: 2 x 250mL, 2 x 1L, 2 x 5L and 2 x 20L. Each pack is one bottle of Grow and one of Bloom. At 5mL per litre, a 250mL bottle makes 50L of feed, a 1L makes 200L, a 5L makes 1,000L and a 20L makes 4,000L.