Liquid Seaweed - Orchid Board

CTB · #1 05-29-2010, 02:41 PM

What is it, do you use it, on everything. , do you use it all the time????????????????????? How soon after repotting can you use it???????

peeweelovesbooks · #2 05-29-2010, 04:43 PM

I use it as one would a regular fertilizer.

CTB · #3 05-29-2010, 04:59 PM

Is it better than superthrive ? Thanks for you help, I'm looking for a fert. that I can use on all orchids weakly weekly. which one is better?

peeweelovesbooks · #4 05-29-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTB

Is it better than superthrive ? Thanks for you help, I'm looking for a fert. that I can use on all orchids weakly weekly. which one is better?

Superthrive is a root stimulant, whereas seaweed is a fertilizer.

There are tons of fertilizers out there, and everyone has their preference. MSU is fantastic. Ray has a very informative tutorial on fertilizers on his webpage: firstrays.com (also his store). I highly recommend you read it and doing some research on your own in addition to Ray's very thorough explanation.

Honestly, I have seen better results with the soluble seaweed than anything I've used. I buy the Maxicrop soluble seaweed powder and it's lasted me a loooooooooooooong time.

I hate buying the liquid because I feel that you're mostly paying for water.

I plan to add Hydrolized fish fertilizer once I get my hands on it. I've read that the hydrolized formula is better than the fish emulsion. Notwithstanding the slight fish smell, I think that combination is great for my plants.

But, like I said, it's really a matter of personal preference.

Orchid126 · #5 05-30-2010, 02:16 PM

Liquid seaweed is not so much a fertilizer as a tonic. While extremely low in NPK, it is very high in micronutrients. It also has other stuff that aids growth. Seaweed grows as much as a foot a day. I use it as a tonic, once a month, a tablespoon to a gallon. I also use it when I repot, as a tonic for the roots.

Ray · #6 05-30-2010, 04:15 PM

Actually, there are things in liquid seaweed - especially if it's made from cold-water kelp - that are chemically similar to the synthetic rooting hormones.

peeweelovesbooks · #7 05-31-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Actually, there are things in liquid seaweed - especially if it's made from cold-water kelp - that are chemically similar to the synthetic rooting hormones.

Really? Well, I'll tell you that I've seen incredible root development with the seaweed Ray. I always assumed it was the organic nature of the product. Interesting. Thanks for enlightening me.

butterfly79 · #8 05-30-2010, 08:01 PM

I am finding this stuff fascinating. I am new to all this as well so thank you for asking about liquid seaweed. Do you water your orchid a gallong of water each time?

CTB · #9 05-30-2010, 08:56 PM

I use a pump spayer and mix up a gallon or two at a time. I just assuming you use this sparely just covering the roots and leaves good, after watering. If, I am wrong please advise.

peeweelovesbooks · #10 05-31-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTB

I use a pump spayer and mix up a gallon or two at a time. I just assuming you use this sparely just covering the roots and leaves good, after watering. If, I am wrong please advise.

I don't spray the leaves---I use it like any other fertilizer. Just soak the plant until the water runs through the pot. I use hydroton so I make sure that the water saturates all the medium on both sides.

I usually do two runs of watering. Let them settle for a bit with the first round and then soak again.