Which natural fertilizers really work for orchids?

[karrolhk]

Thank you for your explanation. But would epsom salt run the risk of burning the roots because of a high salt content?

Btw, what do you think about using rice water or potato water to water orchids? Do you think there is any benefit or harm?

---------- Post added at 09:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:00 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Andrew-L

Maybe Ray will chime in, he has a background in chemistry and knows alot.

On a side note, has anybody used seed sprout teas as fertilizer?

Particularly corn sprouts, mung bean sprouts, barley sprouts and alfalfa sprouts. I'd like to go organic as soon as possible and I've had success using these to fertilize cannabis.

---------- Post added at 06:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:11 PM ----------

Roberta, if using RO water or distilled water with a PPM close to zero. How long do you think an orchid would last giving no extra nutrients? Would they be collecting through air roots and whatever particles are floating around?

You mean use the blended sprout solution to water orchid? would the little solids get trapped in the medium and clog up the medium?

Btw, similar to a sprout solution, what do you think about watering orchids with rice water or potato water?

[Ray]

Over feeding without burning is possible. Too much N makes plants grow great, but they’ll stop blooming.

Fertilizer is WAY down the priority of needs. To add a pound of mass, a plant only needs to process 5 grams of fertilizer, but 200 pounds of water. Just think about how long that takes for a Catt or Phal, or more extremely, a tiny pleurothallis!

As far as do homemade fertilizers work? Sure, but why bother? Demand is not great, but complete supply is important.

[karrolhk]

Originally Posted by Ray

To add a pound of mass, a plant only needs to process 5 grams of fertilizer, but 200 pounds of water.

Interesting numbers, Ray! May I know how you came up with these numbers?

Btw, what kind of predominant nutrients do you think exist in uncooked rice water (the water you wash rice)? is it nitrogen?

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by karrolhk

Btw, what kind of predominant nutrients do you think exist in uncooked rice water (the water you wash rice)? is it nitrogen?

Some info at this site here ----- (link)

[karrolhk]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Some info at this site here ----- (link)

Thanks for the article. I have read it but I still don't understand what kind of nutrients rice water have for plants. The article only mentions starch, amylose, amylopectin.