High Phospherus Fertlizer

[zynah]

In which dosage We can use 0.52.34 (N P K) in dendrobiums Did frequent usage may damage the plants.

[Ray]

Personally, I wouldn't use that at all on my orchids.

The demand for nutrition in orchids is low to start with, and that for phosphorus and potassium is very, very low.

[OCRC_Dir_China]

An excess of potassium can causes; dwarfed plants, chlorotic or necrotic leaf edges, leaves wrinkled between veins.

An excess of phosphorus can causes; plants that are stunted, the leaves become darker green and purplish, anthocyanins in veins.

An excess of nitrogen can causes; the plants are yellowish and grow poorly.

[weederwoman]

I've gotten the impression that many people don't recommend the "bloom-booster" orchid fertilizers any more, but I still see them mentioned on care sheets. Is this just a personal thing, or is there data out there from studies. Thanks

Laurel

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by weederwoman

I've gotten the impression that many people don't recommend the "bloom-booster" orchid fertilizers any more, but I still see them mentioned on care sheets. Is this just a personal thing, or is there data out there from studies. Thanks

Laurel

I don't think studies have been done on "bloom booster" fertilizers. At least I haven't seen any. But MSU style fertilizers, that have very low phosphorous, were formulated following studies of mineral concentrations found in orchid tissue. MSU was designed specifically to give orchids the nutrients they need. Some papers were also written about the excellent results that were seen using MSU. I know some old timers, here in Florida, who still use "bloom booster" fertilizers and I've heard some interesting theories they have. I now use "bloom booster" a couple times in the fall because phosphorus is important in bloom development and I want to make sure that using a low phosphorous fertilizer hasn't left my orchids with a deficiency at a time when they need it. I also use it a couple times in the spring because orchids use phosphorous to produce roots. Other than that I use a standard MSU fertilizer with calcium and magnesium year round. Orchids can store unused phosphorous and use it at a later date when needed. I don't believe "bloom booster" is required to grow quality orchids but I'm just tweaking my nutrient applications a little, in hopes of finding the "sweet spot".

[DavidCampen]

One way to get a plant to bloom is to stress it so that it reacts as if it is dying and produces flowers in a last attempt to propagate.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by tucker85

I don't think studies have been done on "bloom booster" fertilizers. At least I haven't seen any. But MSU style fertilizers, that have very low phosphorous, were formulated following studies of mineral concentrations found in orchid tissue. MSU was designed specifically to give orchids the nutrients they need. Some papers were also written about the excellent results that were seen using MSU. I know some old timers, here in Florida, who still use "bloom booster" fertilizers and I've heard some interesting theories they have. I now use "bloom booster" a couple times in the fall because phosphorus is important in bloom development and I want to make sure that using a low phosphorous fertilizer hasn't left my orchids with a deficiency at a time when they need it. I also use it a couple times in the spring because orchids use phosphorous to produce roots. Other than that I use a standard MSU fertilizer with calcium and magnesium year round. Orchids can store unused phosphorous and use it at a later date when needed. I don't believe "bloom booster" is required to grow quality orchids but I'm just tweaking my nutrient applications a little, in hopes of finding the "sweet spot".

There is study done by Texas A&M.
The subjects were the typical hybrid phals.
Low amount of P did not affect plant much in growth as well as flowering at all. Hence, bloombooster is just a marketing hoax.

Low K caused phals to lose older leaves prematurely (they suggested that plants recycled K for newly growing parts), and lack of K caused them die!

Moderate amount of N helped boost the flower count.