Does High Number P Fertilizer really work?

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Ray

There is no doubt that orchids need a lot more nitrogen than other elements, but they don't need a lot.

Feeding an excessive amount of nitrogen will result in emerald green, leggy, flowerless plants. Feeding a small amount is much better.

The whole "Phosphorus is a Bloom Booster" is marketing hype. Search the forums for a more detailed explanation.

That's what I thought.
So much hoax out there.

[plucker]

In my opinion, Calcium is required and as important at the others. It assists a plant to absorb nitrogen. Magnesium will also help although they are rarely put together in a fertilizer.

[NYCorchidman]

True, many common brands do not show magnesium on the content list.

I have been using the ones with trace elements and these products list Ca and Mg along with other stuff.

[isurus79]

While I don't have any articles for you, I grow and bloom some pretty amazing orchids and have never used bloom booster to do so. I've never had plants that "won't bloom" for me and I know that many of Hawaii's best commercial growers use the same fertilizers year round for their stock.

[NYCorchidman]

and may I ask what you and Hawaiian growers use??

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

and may I ask what you and Hawaiian growers use??

Right now I'm using DynaGro OrchidPro 7-8-6 and a CalMag supplement with a 1x per supplement of kelp fertilizer. The DynaGro gives ok result, but I think I'll switch it up when it runs out.

As for the commercial growers, I used to go to H&R and Kawamoto pretty regularly. I was picking the brain of Roy Tokunaga at H&R about his choice in fertilizer and he gave a bag of the stuff he uses, which I believe was 15-5-15 (notice the low P in relation to the other elements), plus a Cal/Mag supplement mixed in. He told me that he has so many different individuals of so many different species that he just doesn't have time to tailor his feeding system to any one plant or group of plants. They all get the same stuff all year long. Its his belief that bloom boosters are not particularly effective and a good year round fertilizer works just fine. Considering the fact that H&R is probably the best American breeder of Cattleyas, Dendrobiums and several other genera, I'd say his proof is in the pudding.

Again, this is all anecdotal and I apologize for the lack of an article.

[NYCorchidman]

Thank you!

That is the same stuff I used up until last year when I found a different stuff that is locally available.
I don't see any difference in results.

I stopped using dyna grow just because it is something I had to order in whereas the other stuff, Jack's classic with trace elements, which I believe is basically is the same thing, I can buy at a store here.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Thank you!

That is the same stuff I used up until last year when I found a different stuff that is locally available.
I don't see any difference in results.

I stopped using dyna grow just because it is something I had to order in whereas the other stuff, Jack's classic with trace elements, which I believe is basically is the same thing, I can buy at a store here.

That's pretty much the same reason I use the DynaGro, its easy for me to find locally! lol

I'll probably be switching to the MSU formula (I'll probably order it from Ray) or go back to the 15-5-15 if I can find it. The problem with the 15-5-15 (I think the brand was Peter's Excel) is that when Roy gave me a sample, it was only available in commercial quantities. If I can find a smaller bag size, I might use that.

[Bloomin_Aussie]

Peter's Excel is used by a lot of top growers in Australia. I assumed it was made here so that may explain why it is only available in bulk quantities over there in the States.

[NYCorchidman]

Was it urea based?? the peter stuff.

just curious. I wonder if it really matters.
I used to use urea based as most commonly available ones seem to be of that kind, but neither dynaGrow nor Jack's Classic is urea based.

I honestly don't see any difference in results though.
but after reading some articles, it only add to my confusion. all that pH and stuff. lol

Any opinion??