Some things to remember about fertilizing plants: Not all plants are the same, grow the same, or have the same physiology. Ability to use exogenous fertilizers is determined, ultimately, by an individual plant's physiology. To a point, exogenous "food" can be used by plants, especially if the plant's physiology is humming along at its maximum pace. Getting the most out of a plant depends on the plant itself, resting periods vs. growth, allowing the most light possible, and the plant's ability to use light at the maximum efficiency of photosynthesis. Most plants operate at a level somewhere below this capacity, either in situ or in a greenhouse, simply because of the vagaries of environment and care. These plants will benefit from feedings, as well, but the point of diminishing returns for a plant growing at maximum capacity is much further away than a plant grown in inconsistent or less than ideal conditions. Orchids are adapted to growth in "less than ideal" conditions, and the total concentration most of these epiphytes can effectively use is probably very, very small. That being the case, the difference between the physical amount of fertilizer it takes for an orchid to achieve growth and the amount it takes for the same orchid growing at maximum capacity are so small that the traditional measurements of "one teaspoon/tablespoon per gallon" are irrelevant. In other words, I suspect that even a well grown orchid that is growing well (they are two very different things, BTW) is receiving an excess of fertilizer, well past it's capacity to use. But does that mean that plants won't improve with fertilizer? I don't think this is true. Of two identical plants grown identically, the one receiving exogenous nutrients will grow at a rate closer to its maximum capacity, all other things being equal.
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