High-N Orchid Growth Formula

Best Orchid Fertilizer (30-10-10): High Nitrogen for Vigorous Leaf & Root Growth in Bark-Based Media Buy on Old Cobblers Farm

Orchids grown in bark lose nitrogen to the decomposition process — bark-decomposing microbes consume N before the orchid can use it. This 30-10-10 compensates with triple the nitrogen, ensuring your orchids actually get the nutrition they need despite the media stealing it.

Updated April 2026 10 Products Compared By the Old Cobblers Farm Team

Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Growth Orchids Fertilizer

by Conventional Fertilizer — Littleton, NH

30-10-10
N-P-K Ratio
"The orchid specialist with 30% nitrogen — the highest N in the entire Wicked Growth catalog. Triple nitrogen compensates for N-lock in bark media, fuels leaf production, drives root growth, and supports the vegetative vigor that produces next season's flower spikes."
30%
Nitrogen
960
Doses / 5 lb bag
¼ tsp
Per gallon water
4 Sizes
5, 10, 15, 20 lbs
🌺

30% Nitrogen for Bark Media

Bark media harbors microbes that consume nitrogen as they decompose the bark. 30% N ensures enough gets past the microbes to actually reach your orchid's roots.

💧

"Weakly, Weekly" Feeding

¼ teaspoon per gallon, every week during active growth. The orchid world's proven feeding cadence — light, consistent nutrition rather than heavy, infrequent doses.

🌿

Drives Leaf & Root Production

Nitrogen powers new leaf growth and the thick aerial roots that are the hallmark of healthy orchids. More leaves and roots = a bigger, stronger plant capable of spectacular blooms.

📦

960 Doses Per Bag

At ¼ tsp per dose, one 5 lb bag produces approximately 960 individual feedings. That's years of weekly feeding for a typical orchid collection.

🌸

Switch to Bloom Booster for Spikes

Use this 30-10-10 during vegetative growth, then switch to a higher-P formula when flower spikes emerge to support bud development. Growth phase = high N. Bloom phase = high P.

📅

Weekly Growth / Monthly Rest

Feed weekly during active growth periods (new leaves, new roots). Reduce to monthly during rest periods or winter when growth slows naturally.

All Orchid Genera

Phalaenopsis, cattleya, dendrobium, oncidium, vanda, paphiopedilum, miltonia, cymbidium — the entire orchid world benefits from high-N feeding during vegetative growth.

🇺🇸

Trusted by 20,000+ Growers

Developed in Littleton, New Hampshire. Sold nationwide on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and theoldcobblersfarm.com.

NPK Ratio30-10-10
Item FormGranular (dissolve for use)
Coverage~960 doses — multi-year supply per 5 lb bag
CategoryConventional Fertilizer
TypeFlower & Garden
Sizes5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb
NPK30-10-10
Nitrogen30%
Phosphorus10% available phosphate
Potassium10% soluble potash
FormGranular (dissolve for use)
Rate¼ tsp / gallon water
MethodDissolve and drench weekly
FrequencyWeekly (growth) / Monthly (rest)
Sizes5, 10, 15, 20 lb bags
Best ForPhalaenopsis, cattleya, dendrobium, oncidium, all orchids in bark media
NoteSwitch to high-P formula during bloom phase
What We Love
30% nitrogen compensates for N-lock in bark-based orchid media
960 doses per bag — years of weekly feeding from one purchase
"Weakly, weekly" method — orchid-proven feeding cadence
Drives vigorous leaf growth, root development, and plant strength
Works for all orchid genera and media types
Worth Noting
Growth-phase formula — switch to high-P bloom booster when spikes appear
5 lb bag is extreme overkill for most collections — consider smaller packets
Buy on Old Cobblers Farm →
Available in 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb
Feature Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Growth Orchids Fertilizer Old Cobblers Farm Ready-to-Use Orchid Mist Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Orchid Food Miracle-Gro Orchid Plus Better-Gro Orchid Bloom Booster Better-Gro Orchid! Liquid Plant Food Espoma Organic Orchid Special Jack's Classic Orchid Pro Superthrive Premium Orchid Plant Food EarthPods Feed ME! Orchid Fertilizer repotme Orchid Food Water Soluble Schultz
NPK 30-10-10 0.02-0.02-0.02 30-10-10 20-14-13 11-35-15 1-3-1 30-10-10 7-8-6 0.2-0.2-0.4 13-3-15 19-31-17
Form Granular (dissolve for use)
Coverage ~960 doses — multi-year supply per 5 lb bag Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed
Price / Size 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb $6-$9 $6-$8 $10 $10 $10 $12-$18 $15 $20-$25 $18 $8-$10
Our Take The orchid specialist with 30% nitrogen — the highest N in the enti...
The Competition

Ready-to-Use Orchid Mist

by Miracle-Gro
0.02-0.02-0.02
N-P-K
Sizes8 oz
Price$6-$9

Water Soluble Orchid Food

by Miracle-Gro
30-10-10
N-P-K
Sizes8 oz
Price$6-$8

Orchid Plus

by Better-Gro
20-14-13
N-P-K
Sizes16 oz
Price$10

Orchid Bloom Booster

by Better-Gro
11-35-15
N-P-K
Sizes16 oz
Price$10

Orchid! Liquid Plant Food

by Espoma Organic
1-3-1
N-P-K
Sizes8 oz
Price$10

Orchid Special

by Jack's Classic
30-10-10
N-P-K
Sizes8 oz, 1.5 lb
Price$12-$18

Orchid Pro

by Superthrive
7-8-6
N-P-K
Sizes8 oz
Price$15

Premium Orchid Plant Food

by EarthPods
0.2-0.2-0.4
N-P-K
Sizes100 capsules
Price$20-$25

Feed ME! Orchid Fertilizer

by repotme
13-3-15
N-P-K
Sizes8 oz
Price$18

Orchid Food Water Soluble

by Schultz
19-31-17
N-P-K
Sizes10 oz
Price$8-$10

🌺

30% Nitrogen for Bark Media

Bark media harbors microbes that consume nitrogen as they decompose the bark. 30% N ensures enough gets past the microbes to actually reach your orchid's roots.

💧

"Weakly, Weekly" Feeding

¼ teaspoon per gallon, every week during active growth. The orchid world's proven feeding cadence — light, consistent nutrition rather than heavy, infrequent doses.

🌿

Drives Leaf & Root Production

Nitrogen powers new leaf growth and the thick aerial roots that are the hallmark of healthy orchids. More leaves and roots = a bigger, stronger plant capable of spectacular blooms.

📦

960 Doses Per Bag

At ¼ tsp per dose, one 5 lb bag produces approximately 960 individual feedings. That's years of weekly feeding for a typical orchid collection.

Common Questions