Fertilizer

[Call_Me_Bob]

okay, so no urea? thanks i was told that "orchid ferts" were just normal fertilizers that were watered down so they could be weaker and sold as orchid ferts. now i trust rays and dyna-gro but what about like miracle grow's special orchid stuff ( not that i would buy miracle grow)

[BikerDoc5968]

Good point, Jim. Tucker had also made this comment and I meant to include it in my post. The other thing that I've read about urea based fertilizers is that the urea must be converted to a usable nitrogen source. This takes bacteria to make the conversion which are present in "potting soil". That's not to say media used for orchids is free of bacteria but because of the manner in which we water, they don't get the chance to do their work so most of the nitrogen source goes out the bottom and is useless.

If you look at the labeling of these "other orchid fertilizers" you will see they are ALL urea based; and a good portion at that of the nitrogen is supplied from urea. As an example, Schultz Orchid Fertilizer, which is the first one I ever used until I did some investigation, has 19% N of which 13.4% is Urea N.


Urea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[tucker85]

If you have an orchid society in your area you might want to go to a meeting and ask people what fertilizer they use. like several people here have already stated, the mineral content and pH of your water is important. Other growers in your area may already know what fertilizers work best with your water. Good luck.

[Queenslander]

Camille, Epsom Salts is Magnesium Sulfate. Try googling this in your Country.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by help

okay, so no urea? thanks

I don't know. I recall seeing a few articles recently debunking the conventional wisdom about no urea as a myth. Sorry I don't have links at the ready.

[FrankP999]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

I don't know. I recall seeing a few articles recently debunking the conventional wisdom about no urea as a myth. Sorry I don't have links at the ready.

I would be interested in the links debunking.

Urea is cheaper thus its used in widely.

[orchids3]

There was an article in Orchids Magazine that indicated that Urea could be used. Plants either use Nitrates or Ammoniates and Urea will be converted to these over a short period of time if it stays in the pot long enough to be convereted by microbes. The temperature of the growing area and media will affect how long this process takes. I dont think there is a strong " Yes or No" about wheather it is a good form of nitrogen. To me it makes more sense to use the Nitrates or ammoniates that the plants can use immediately and not risk washing away before the plant can use it. Have been told that some good commercial growers in Holland actually prefer urea. So there is a case both for and against using Urea. Have not read a convincing case for it.
If you read the 5 articles on Rays website written by Doctor Argo you will understand that there are probable a lot of fertilizers that will do the same. Dr Argo produced the fertilizer tested by Michigan State U. What is immediatel apparent is that high phosphorus levels are not required by orchids either to grow or to bloom.
Jacks Professional 12-2-15-7-2 is the fertilizer I am using at this time. The 7 gives me the calcium I need and the 2 gives me the Magnesium.
More magnesium is not better - in fact growers should understand that it can lead to micronutrient poisioning.
Use what is in a good fertilizer and leave it alone, As long as there is Calcium and Magnesium.
Jacks is the better fertilizer for me in that with my water the pH is always correct. I dont worry or tinker with that. MSU gave me a low pH consistently and I ajusted it. With other water from other wells - some other fertilizer might be better. Dont worry - plants in nature dont grow in a perfect enviornment either. Just try to get close to what is required.

[Call_Me_Bob]

well, a friend of mine gave up growing orchids a little bit ago ( :'( ) and she gave me all the stuff she had. its kinda nice though, she wasnt a cheapy and sprung for the nice stuff. so I, being a cheapy< get to have some nice stuff. in the loot, there is "orchidmix" fertilizer it is 17-9-18 and has no urea. i think ill give this a try, i also got some physan 20 and more media than i will ever be able to use!

[BikerDoc5968]

Just so you know, OrchidMix comes from Robert's Flower Supply in Ohio and is based on the MSU formula. I have worked with both Wayne and Nancy at local orchid shows here in Michigan. They are very nice down to earth people.

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[Call_Me_Bob]

Good to know! I should have mentioned that it shaw for tap water as well. So that's good