Adventures in KelpMax

[Shadeflower]

Originally Posted by K-Sci

From the conversations I assume that Orchid Focus is an EU phenomenon.

I would call it a little known secret. We'll see. It's good but I've yet to put it to the test properly. I've seen reviews show mainly phalaenopsis grown with it that are all really healthy.

so what's good about it? It contains seaweed, buffers the ph, contains fulvic and humic acid, plenty of Calcium, has a good ratio of nutrients(I already mentioned the higher Iron compared to others, eg 4 times more than Rainmix for example).
So what's bad about it: to be determined lol but it is very weak so 10ml is roughly the equivalent of 1g of Rainmix ie if you are used to adding 5 grams of Rainmix to a bucket you'd need 50ml of Orchid Focus to get the same concentration. 1 liter at the recommended dose of 2ml/liter will only make 50 buckets of feed which needs to be used at every single watering (it is weak) so a 1 liter bottle would not even last me a year. That's the downside.

If someone asked me what the easiest foolproof fertilizer for a handful of phals would be it would be Orchid Focus. No ph meter needed. No tds really needed either, the instructions are spot on (which is rare for an orchid fertilizer)

But it might be expensive long term. That is why I decided to see if I can replicate the fertilizer or even get better results.

If anyone is interested, 0.6g Rainmix + 0.3 ml PK 13/14 per gallon of water should roughly equal the Orchid Focus at the recommended dose but then you still have to add seaweed extract, humic and fulvic acid, possibly some micro nutrients, then you have to adjust the ph.

To replicate the Orchid Focus Bloom would be roughly 0.6g Rainmix + 0.6ml PK 13/14 per gallon.

ps: PK 13/14 is a fertilizer available from many different brands containing 13% phosporous and 14% potassium

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

I would call it a little known secret. We'll see. It's good but I've yet to put it to the test properly. I've seen reviews show mainly phalaenopsis grown with it that are all really healthy.

so what's good about it? It contains seaweed, buffers the ph, contains fulvic and humic acid, plenty of Calcium, has a good ratio of nutrients(I already mentioned the higher Iron compared to others, eg 8 times more than Rainmix for example).
So what's bad about it: to be determined lol but it is very weak so 10ml is roughly the equivalent of 1g of Rainmix ie if you are used to adding 5 grams of Rainmix to a bucket you'd need 50ml of Orchid Focus to get the same concentration. 1 liter at the recommended dose of 2ml/liter will only make 50 buckets of feed which needs to be used at every single watering (it is weak) so a 1 liter bottle would not even last me a year. That's the downside.

If someone asked me what the easiest foolproof fertilizer for a handful of phals would be it would be Orchid Focus. No ph meter needed. No tds really needed either, the instructions are spot on (which is rare for an orchid fertilizer)

But it might be expensive long term. That is why I decided to see if I can replicate the fertilizer or even get better results.

If anyone is interested, 0.6g Rainmix + 0.3 ml PK 13/14 per gallon of water should roughly equal the Orchid Focus at the recommended dose but then you still have to add seaweed extract, humic and fulvic acid.

To replicate the Orchid Focus Bloom would be roughly 0.6g Rainmix + 0.6ml PK 13/14 per gallon.

ps: PK 13/14 is a fertilizer available from many different brands containing 13% phosporous and 14% potassium

Well, I do have bunch of phals ...but I doubt they are the only one benefits from it, the Cymb and Catts as well. I use automatic misting and for me is essential a fluid formula, since Rainmix and others don't dissolve well, also a formula that is not very aggressive; with no harmful history and available in my area. There are several nurseries in EU with great formulas..but in between shipping and all is not worthy.

I don't relay much in fertilizer, clearly your method and needs are very different than mine, but I am sure we are both right . I do fertilize very small amount but steady, 3 On + 1 Off; AOS old style. After too much reading here and others growers advice and now speaking for myself, I don't belive that the plants need that many added-on in order to change the end result if the rest of the basics needs are working properly.

PD: I'll give example of this in the 3 very dehydrated phals thread...

Cheers!

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[Shadeflower]

Originally Posted by SADE2020

I don't relay much in fertilizer, clearly your method and needs are very different than mine, but I am sure we are both right

I was saying you can hardly be wrong using the Focus

I do spend too much time thinking about what some might consider trivial but I blame all the manufacturers not being able to agree on what to use. The difference is mindblowing amongst different orchid blends. If you are lucky enough to start off with a bulletproof fertilizer you'd never realize how many problems you could have if you didn't.

some are designed for rainwater, some for tap water but then they don't tell you that on the label!
Some recommend far higher concentrations to others and that's before you get into the different NPK ratio's available which can't all be right if they are all different.