Weakly-weekly watering

[got ants]

Originally Posted by fotofashion

My last post evidently got lost in the ether. Would anyone care to remark on the differences between Dynamite and MSU slow release fertilizers. Thanks
Beverly A.

MSU slow release?? I only know of the immediate release formula.

Dynamite is s'posed to last up to 9 months.

I use Southern Ag 13-2-13 6Ca 3Mg fertilizer along with Superthrive. It's only a tiny bit off the MSU formula.

[rahulpilani]

"Hi.
I live in Rajasthan and rainfall is a major problem here, so i keep my plants green by taking care of this thing that enough water is there to protect them. Everyday i fertilize my plants to prevent them from becoming bone dry."

[Ray]

Yes, there is a controlled release version of the MSU fertilizers. I've sold out of the RO formula, but more is coming in.

FWIW, pretty much all of these products release fertilizer in relation to temperature, independent of watering or time. The warmer the pellets are, the faster they release. In addition to specific formula, each brand will have it's own release rate at a given temperature.

[fotofashion]

Thanks Ray. I bought some of your slow-release fertilizer last year and one pass through the "collection" just about finished off the jar.
From what you said about temperature being the determining factor, did I waste the slow-release fertilizer by using it in the winter? We had a very chilly winter and keeping the GH warm was a real challenge.
Now that I have all but the orchids in bloom outside I have started giving them the weakly-weekly thing but being an essentially lazy critter the idea of using slow- release all the time appeals to me.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this thread and keep it coming if it interests you.
Beverly A.

[peeweelovesbooks]

So do you just sprinkle the medium with the fertilizer and water as usual?

You will be selling the slow-release MSU, ray?

[Orchid126]

After a long period of rain, I foliar feed the underside of the leaves rather than add more water to sodden medium.

[Ray]

In colder temperatures, the release rate is reduced - i.e., you are fertilizing less at the time plant growth will be at a minimum. As the temps warm, the release rate increases - up until the fertilizer content is depleted, of course.

"Peewee" - I have had it for sale for about a year. Sign up for my newsletter and you'd have heard about it (and gotten cultural articles and discount coupons). http://www.firstrays.com/freeservices.htm

Most folks dump it on the top of the medium of "hungry" plants, and then water and feed (water soluble fertilizer) as usual. The pellets are seen as a boost to the nutrient content. Some use it as the only fertilizer, and just water.

[Call_Me_Bob]

has anyone here tried the free trial of superthrive from the website?

[fotofashion]

OK with my curiousity in full swing, I went by Home Depot today to look at the Dynamite fertilizer. When I got to the part where they were there was a woman who I assumed was an employee. I asked her if HD had the Orchid Bromeliad version. She says, "What do you want that for? Look at it, it doesn't sell, it has been here forever and look at the pellets, they don't look right". THEN she tells me she works for another fertilizer company. ( She was restocking her brand). Upshot is that that particular HD doesn't carry the Orchid, Bromeliad version.
OK, I'll stick with MSU and try the coffee filters. Except...what do you do with tiny orchids. I bought the smallest filters Wally world had and they will work OK for the medium and large plants but are way too big for naturally small plants. Suggestions? Remember I want to use slow release fertilizer. Thanks
Beverly A.

[catasetum-ian]

me too uses the weak 'sub-dose' fertilizer on almost every watering, i dun really wait for them to dry out before watering with exception for my catasetum when they are dormant. (>80% of my collection are catasetum).