fertilizer confusion

[Andrew-L]

The only time fertilizer gets confusing is when you are mixing them and trying to figure out what npk value you have when you mix an 6-4-4 with a 0-0.5-0.7 when using 1ml of the first and 2ml of the second per gallon of water

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Andrew-L

The only time fertilizer gets confusing is when you are mixing them and trying to figure out what npk value you have when you mix an 6-4-4 with a 0-0.5-0.7 when using 1ml of the first and 2ml of the second per gallon of water

Andrew ---- good point. For 0:P:K cases ..... I think the main focus will then be choosing the concentration of P to be targeted for our mix. Eg. we choose in advance a suitable/safe final concentration for say "P" - such as 50 part per million or 0.005 percent --- then establish a simple formula to make a water-fertiliser mix that achieves approximately that particular target concentration of "P". Although - this sort of fertiliser doesn't have nitrogen, so wouldn't be a regular sort of fertiliser to use for orchids.

[WaterWitchin]

Thanks Andrew_L and SPark, for knowing all about how this orchid growing works. This has become a perfect storm. Over and out.

[SouthPark]

WW - it's likely that you looked at somebody else's post and assumed it was me that was posting - about how orchid growing works. I didn't mention anything about how orchid growing works.

I only provided a method for determining amount of required fertiliser based on knowing a couple of basic numbers --- amount of water we want to use, and the 'N' value on the packet of fertiliser.

[Andrew-L]

In my case, the 6-4-4 is my general feeding and the 0-0.5-0.7 contains earthworm castings and bat guano.

[SouthPark]

I forgot to mention - that I added this basic rule of thumb calculation because it is straight-forward to apply.

And could be used as an alternative (if one wishes) to the other rules-of-thumb methods. It could also provide advantages over other rule-of-thumb methods. So basically just providing more choice.

Offering something nice and useful, and not being imposing (as in not 'you must do') - is pretty good.

Also - regarding dyna-gro ... if the amount that had been used was/is working well, then certainly ok to stay with that product and with the amount previously used - using it in the same way as was/is done.

And - if the old bottle sprang a leak - and if a new bottle does the same thing, then just pop the contents into a more substantially strong container (and put a label on the new container for safety etc).

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Alys

Thanks for replying. As you say; if it isn't broke don't fix it.

True! If it isn't broken, then it isn't broken. There is nothing to fix heheh.

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Foliar feeding doesn't do much, if anything, for orchids... the leaves have a waxy cuticle (an adaptation that conserves water in their epiphytic environment). So fertilizer applied to the leaves just rolls off or washes off. Yes, some will then end up in the medium where the roots can absorb it (or maybe a tiny bit may get into the leaves). It is a lot more efficient to put the fertilizer on (and through) the medium where it goes straight to the roots in the first place.

Thank you Roberta it makes sense and it what I always understood, but reeding the label ..I was like..ummmh

Then in a youtube video there is a cattleya nursery saying that it's better to spray ... nurseries splash water with fertilizer. Different method here and there makes you think 🤔

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by SADE2020

Then in a youtube video there is a cattleya nursery saying that it's better to spray ... nurseries splash water with fertilizer. Different method here and there makes you think 🤔

There certainly are some people out there that demonstrate application of fertiliser to leaves. I once did it, but tending to believe it's not actually effective - unless lots of serious lab study group workers all come together in the future to say otherwise.

At this video here -

Top tips for orchid success | Indoor plants | Gardening Australia - YouTube

At approximately 7 mins and 5 seconds into the video, you can see the orchid getting a couple of sprays of fertiliser/water mix.

I tend to just go with the 'regular' way ------ applying fertiliser solution to media and/or roots.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Andrew-L

The only time fertilizer gets confusing is when you are mixing them and trying to figure out what npk value you have when you mix an 6-4-4 with a 0-0.5-0.7 when using 1ml of the first and 2ml of the second per gallon of water

I don’t find that confusing at all.

You end up with 3 ml of a 1/3 (6-4-4) + 2/3 (0-0.5-0.7), or 2-1.67-1.8 formula.

Of course you do realize that fertilizer formulas are weight percentages, not volume, so you’d really need to know the specific gravity of each to determine the exact formulation.