Ray's Orchid Formula Test (UPDATE #1)

[Bloomer001]

Hello Everyone!

It's been almost 2 months since I started Ray's formula (Kelpak, K-Lite Fertilizer, & Quantum Total Microbial --- aka Optimum Growth Package, started 11/29/2023.) I don't see any noticable change yet, but it's too soon to tell. I will look for changes in leaf & root development in the growing season. All plants are budding, and look like they will flower in about 2 weeks. The ones that are branching are the miracle grow formula.

I will update this post with a link to a video explaining the 2 formulas and how I am growing.

[Ray]

You will likely see no difference by changing the fertilizer formula, unless you under-, or overdose it compared to the use of the prior one.

One does not “see” a change when using the probiotic, either. Instead, it is more like a realization, after several months of use, that there are few issues and better growth.

Kelpak is the only product of the three that gives a noticeable change, but that can take four to six weeks or longer to appear, especially if the growing conditions are diminished by less sunlight or lower temperatures.

[Bloomer001]

I have found higher N dosages to be the key to stimulated growth under optimum growing conditions and plant health. Once they flower I will stop fertilizing until the growing season resumes. I will then work up the fert routine in 25 mg weekly increments. By summer, I will give the the Kelpack treated plants 150 mg of N weekly (split in two 75 mg doses.) I don't think the non-Kelpack treated plants will be able to handle this much N (they will prob max out at 125 mg weekly.) I will monitor plants for signs of overdose. Thanks for your reply.

[Bloomer001]

The orchids are about halfway through blooming. The orchids using the Miracle Gro have about 30% more flowers. This is likely due to the fact that I chose the slightly larger orchids for the Miracle Gro formula (to see if the K-Lite formula could catch up.) I think I need a full growing season to see the benefit of Ray's solution. I was informed the Kelpack will make the most difference (but I only use it once a month, so it will take time to see results.)

[Bethy]

Ray, can you mix kelpak with fertilizer and do it all at once? Or is it better to apply separately?

[estación seca]

You don't have enough plants to show a difference between groups. The size differences could have happened by chance. Testing something requires using large groups of test subjects that are as close to the same as possible at the start of the experiment.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Bethy

Ray, can you mix kelpak with fertilizer and do it all at once? Or is it better to apply separately?

I don’t know if it really matters, but I prefer to combine them, using the “logic” that if you’re going to add something that increases growth activity, having nutrients immediately available makes sense.

The flaw in that logic being the assumption that both happen at the time of application, which is unlikely.

At the very least, it means one time of treatment, rather than two.

[Bloomer001]

I increased the Nitrogen dose to 200 ppm on every application. I saw an immediate increase in how fast buds opened. I was dosing too low. I also think I was underdosing the K-Lite. The smallee plants were given Ray's formula intentionally. I want to see if they will outgrow the larger plants this summer.

[Ray]

Variables include how often "every application" is, and just what volume is applied and retained.

If I apply 500 ml of a 100 ppm N solution and there is very little pot drainage, the likelihood of the plant taking up nutrients is greater than when 250 ml of a 200 ppm N solution is applied and most pours right through.

The number of variables is so great that it is up to each individual to find the "sweet spot" for his or her cultural techniques.

Using myself as an example:

• Greenhouse in PA: 25 ppm N every watering, which varied with the season, but could be every other day. I flooded the living hell out of every pot every time.
• Deck culture in NC - Summer - water heavily every 2-3 days, applying 100 ppm N religiously, once a week.
• Indoors, NC, Winter - inconsistent care, worse feeding.

First two were fine. Can't say the same for the third.

[Bloomer001]

I do 2 waterings a week in the winter. One pour-through @ 1/3 liter per pot. Then mid-week I spray the topsoil. I increase to 3 waterings each week in summertime: 2 sprays and one pour-through. All waterings get fert. Will flush occassionally. My media is @ 35% moss, 35% bark, 30% inert.

How do you get away with watering every other day without root rot? Are they mounted? All bark media?