Sugar as Fertilizer - Orchid Board

dianecty · #1 06-11-2008, 10:14 PM

Hi everyone! I have a strawberry plant and money plant that just grew all of a sudden - 2 days after I put something in them. I just don't remember what I put. I have tried Superthrive, KLN but nothing seemed to replicate the results I got. I just remembered that maybe I put sugar in my water along with the other stuff.

Is sugar good to put in watering water along with fertilizer, Superthrive and/or KLN?:_
(

Would 1 tablespoon per gallon be good or is that too little?

Thanks!!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 06-12-2008, 04:59 AM

Sugar water can be used as fertilizer.

I just used rice water to water my Taeniophyllum and Phalaenopsis lowii. Both plants have roots that look much bigger than usual. Rice water contains all the excess sugars and carbs from rinsing the rice.

Remember, plants photosynthesize to feed off the sugars that they produce. So with this basic knowledge of plant physiology, it would make a lot of sense for a plant to absorb sugars and carbs much quicker and easier than salts (which are what alot of commercial fertilizers are based off).

dianecty · #3 06-12-2008, 12:45 PM

Actually, I got the idea when I read your post!!! How much sugar should I put in a gallon of water? White sugar is ok right?

Ants wouldn't come and eat my orchid?

What could I use for carbs? I don't eat rice that often and if I do, I don't make that much!

Thanks!!

quiltergal · #4 06-12-2008, 01:19 PM

Potato water

snow · #5 06-12-2008, 01:39 PM

pasta water

dianecty · #6 06-12-2008, 01:47 PM

Yes, I do eat a lot of pasta! I don't eat a lot of potatoes.

Thanks! I'll start today!

Shirley · #7 06-12-2008, 11:03 PM

Dianecty, For a long time I've been using sugar in the water (about 2 tsp. per gal.) along with B1 solution to soak newly arrived plants, in particular bare root or dessicated. They really seem to like it as they usually pick right up!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 06-13-2008, 04:18 AM

If using sugar water, yes, ants will be attracted to it. Even rice water attracts ants. But ants will not usually do damage to your orchids. All the orchids I grow outdoors are not directly hurt by ants, but rather the insects ants "farm" do the damage (ie. aphids, mealies).

maitaman · #9 06-13-2008, 09:45 AM

If you use sugar water be sure to check regularly for fungus. Most of them feed mainly on sugars. Also note that sugar will cause very rapid foliage growth but will not stimulate roots (good to use B1 - it DOES) or PB's. It can also lessen the amount and quality of blooms.

dianecty · #10 06-13-2008, 02:41 PM

Shirley, Maita's reply said that using sugar water makes blooms smaller and less. Have you experienced that? How much B1 do I put?

Thanks.