timed release fertilizer

[1kathleen]

I for the first time put timed release fertilizer(Dynamite) on my cats (47) and moved them from the greenhouse to the shade house for summer - I have now realized that each time it rains they will be getting fertilized instead of of the old weeklyweakly routine. Will this cause fert. burn if it rains more than once a week?

[Ray]

Whether it causes fertilizer burn is dependent to a great extent upon how much you used. Feeding at every watering is not a problem, as long as you keep the concentration low.

[Dorothy]

Right on! Ray!
Wow 47 catts!
Do you have any minis.
Would you like to trade? :
I have 2 Blc's I'd like to move on to another home so I can free up some space!
Let me know!
Thanks

I have a brother in Beaufort, NC.
Is that anywhere near you, 1kathleen?

[Ray]

I just took a peak at the Dynamite website, and it is apparent that they use a polymeric coating that changes permeability with temperature, not simply available moisture (They make three formulas, selected based upon your climate.)

[Charles]

I also have a question. Given the nature of orchid roots and their density, and the fact that we are not using "soil", are we not dealing with a very different situation when we use these products?

I mean, they will not be as effective if the water used pulls away the majority of the "released" fertilizer when it drains out. Soil would paint a very different picture by holding much more of the "released" in the moisture.

Just a thought.

[1kathleen]

Thanks guys for all your help - Yes Dorothy - Beaufort is just a 2 1/2 hour ferry ride away from me - I will be dividing some of the larger cats in a bit if you would like some - I have about 6 mini's - and more in greenhouse that are blooming I just purchased...this addiction is getting away from me - the Dynamite was recommended by an orchid seller to me for the cats - got it at Home Depot and found only the one type - will order more on line if the results are good - was afraid to put it on the other types that are in greenhouse. I use only rain water here also as the sodium content in our water(reverse osmosis on island) is sky high. Have added Cal Mag supplement and throw in a pinch of vinegar to lower ph a tad. Now I pray for no hurricanes this year. Dorothy my e-mail is kathleen@islandartworks.com.thanks guys

[Rhonda_in_FL]

I use Dynamite each spring...and have never seen any damage to the roots. Of course, I grow outside in South Florida where the growing season is long and intense.

We use the red formula of Dynamite.

I'll also put some in a pantyhose sack (about the size of a golf ball) and tie it to the base of my root mass for vandas....does a very nice job.

[Don Perusse]

Rhonda, I like the idea of the panty hose/dynamite for the vandas and basket lovers. But I must admit the time released fert. didn't do so well with my oncidiums which are planted in clay pots w/tree fern & red wood chips. They did not bloom as well as in previous years when I used a regular diluted fertilizer. This is how we all learn by discussing our different procedures and results. Thanks, Don.

[1kathleen]

Thanks Ray - I used about 1/2 tsp on 4 inch pots and about 2/3 tsp on 5 and 6 inch pots - it was in a Red container so I guess it is the red Dynamite type - only one Lowes had. thanks...k

[Bolero]

Be careful during hot weather as they will release more fertiliser and have been know to burn orchid roots. But it depends on your climate and how 'hot' it really is there.

Time release fertilisers are widely used on cymbidiums but I'm not sure about other genera.