Boosting the immune system

[Izzie]

I've been wondering lately.
Well... actually, I wonder all the time, but in any case...


Say you want to give your orchids the best line of natural defense that you can- i.e., help their immune system.


Is this achieved mostly by excellent culture, feeding with a well rounded fertilizer with micronutrients, etc.?


This is in addition to using systemic products.

[tucker85]

I think that you're right on the money. Giving your plants the right environment and the correct nutrients should produce strong plants that can fight off disease. After all there are no insecticides or fungicides in nature so the orchids have to be strong enough to protect themselves. On the other hand orchids often bloom better when they are under stress. My own experience is that my plants always look healthy and strong but I have a friend who totally ignores her plants and often has more flowers than I do. Very frustrating.

[Izzie]

Thanks for the confirmation Tucker.
I ask because in gardening you see certain solutions that claim to boost the immune system, but for the most part, they seem to be just natural/artificial sources for micronutrients.

[orchidsamore]

There is a lot of research on what improves the resistance of plants to infections.

I have used Companion. It contains (PGPR) Plant Growth Promoting
Rhizosphere bacteria. Bacillus subtilis
GB03

I have used it for two years and have seen a drop in fungal infections from 400 severe cases two years ago to 85 last year and none so far this year.

If you want to learn more about these types of products do an advanced search on the Internet excluding .com web sites. This will limit the results to .org etc and you will find a lot of university studies.

I also like the results I get from the microbial action in Vermi-liquid often called worm tea but not the worm compost in water. Microbes are natures solutions and the right ones work great.

[Izzie]

I have access to worm castings, I'll have to look a bit harder to find Worm Tea.

I remember seeing you mention the Companion product, I've looked into it too. Until I can find thing's locally, I'll have to save up.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Izzie,

I've read online about this company ....ummmmm I know a member uses the product...it's called...hold on a second.............

ha!! ok I remember now..


it's called EM inoculant. I've never used it but I know someone here has. So, I can't personally recommend.


TeraGanix Inc - Natural Organic Solutions


Here's the link so you can read about it.

[Izzie]

okay, had a "wth" moment when I opened that link.
Antioxidant tooth powder...for...orchids? Kind of had to do a double-take. In the Garden section now.

[Izzie]

I wonder if I could give the 'chids some of my acidopholus. Can orchids get yeast infections?

[peeweelovesbooks]

Originally Posted by Izzie

I wonder if I could give the 'chids some of my acidopholus. Can orchids get yeast infections?

The thought really boggles the mind. I mean.........have your orchids been naughty?

[marydaniellesantos]

Originally Posted by tucker85

I think that you're right on the money. Giving your plants the right environment and the correct nutrients should produce strong plants that can fight off disease. After all there are no insecticides or fungicides in nature so the orchids have to be strong enough to protect themselves. On the other hand orchids often bloom better when they are under stress. My own experience is that my plants always look healthy and strong but I have a friend who totally ignores her plants and often has more flowers than I do. Very frustrating.

That's very interesting, so if we want a certain end result, ie blooms, we will just have to figure out the balance between the two!