Fertilizer and My Pool Deck

[D&S Mabel]

Hello All:

First post so be gentle!!

We are looking for a liquid fertilizer for use with our small orchid collection (mostly vandas, cats, phals and oncs) that is kept out on our pool deck all year round here in central Florida.

For ease of use, we have been applying Miracle Gro LiquaFeed, which comes in a premixed bottle that screws into a hose attachment for spray application. It is a 12-4-8 fertilizer - not ideal for orchids from what I've been reading.

We would like to continue to use a sprayer (something like an Ortho-Dial-A-Spray would work, I guess) and don't have issues with hand mixing liquid fertilizers - BUT - it is a MUST that the fertilizer be clear and as odorless as possible so as not to stain the pool deck or drive off guests.

Any suggestions on fertilizers and applicators are greatly appreciated!

Duane

[Charles]

Pure horse hockey. Just kidding. Try a granulated/slow release like Osmocote. It will feed with each watering and for six months. Slowly with each watering. For those bare root varieties, get some nylon old stockings and make a small bag to fill with granules. When it gets watered or wet, it releases on bare root type. In other words, granules only work in pot with some kind of medium. The bag is for those without a "pot".
Works well around here.
Welcome to the board.

[PuddleMonk]

You could also try seaweed or fish emulsion. They are weaker than the miracle-gro, but I have found them to feed better over a longer period. They do stink while wet, so don't spray as your guests are sitting down for dinner. Once dry, there's no aroma.

Richard

[CodiMN]

D&S--
Have you tried Jack's Classic Orchid Bloom Booster? I like it, it's in liquid form...I mix it and mist all my 'chids with it each week. When I mix with water, it is pretty clear (not blue like some other orchid mixes are). There's no lingering smell either. Here's some info on it: Jack's Classic Plant Food from J.R. Peters, Inc., Fertilizer Manufacturer - Jacks Classic

[D&S Mabel]

Carolyn--

I just ordered some as it sounds like just what I am looking for and worth giving a try.

Thank you for the tip.

Does anyone know if the Dyna-Grow Orchid liquid is clear or not? Has anyone tried it? Results?

Thanks again All!

[quiltergal]

Dyna Grow is a light green, but by the time it's diluted in a gallon of water you can't even see it. Edited to add that I really like it and my plants are showing lots of new growth.

[Ross]

FWIW, I like Dyna Grow (MSU mix) also. I would also add that Miracle Grow is one of the few over-the-counter fertilizers that does NOT contain chemical waste products as a means of chemical disposal. I will try to find the resources to back up my claim (I used to have the source right at hand.)

[Ross]

Here it is -> ATSDR - Public Health Reviews of Hazardous Waste Thermal Treatment Technologies You'll have to read through this, but the gist is that Gov't agencies have allowed most chemical companies to dispose of chemical waste by adding it to household fertilizers. Miracle Grow is one of the few companies not doing this, thus the tremendous response of plants to the chemicals. If interested, I will describe my Dad's findings in St. Ptetersburg, Fla. that led me to this this article.

[Ray]

A few comments:

1) Are you sure that's the correct reference? "Fertilizer" is used only once in the entire thing, and it was in reference to sludge from wastewater treatment facilities.
2) I have worked closely with three different fertilizer manufacturers, and none of them would consider using any kind of waste in their formulations.
3) In order for a chemical facility to do ANYTHING to treat, modify, or change hazardous waste in any way, they have to be specifically licensed to do so, and thereby fall under the extremely watchful eye of several government organizations.
4) Chemical companies cannot legally sell a hazardous waste to a fertilizer company in the first place!