Can bloodmeal be used? - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #1 04-13-2011, 08:54 AM

I'm wondering if it can be used safely on phaius, phiacalanthes and cymbidiums. I'm looking at it more from a perspective of keeping the squirrels out of the pots as opposed to nutrients for the plants, but am wondering if the nutrients would be too much for the plants.

Ray · #2 04-13-2011, 09:37 AM

Blood meal is a high-nitrogen fertilizer, so maybe it would pay to compensate by reducing N in your other fertilizing?

Baz in Oz · #3 04-13-2011, 02:02 PM

We have a product in Oz called 'blood and bone' which I assume is the same.

I tried it on a Cymbidium and the plant appeared to love it. It has gone from one spike to two last year and to FIVE this year.

Baz

Paul Mc · #4 04-13-2011, 03:35 PM

Then I guess I will do a bit more research on what balance of fertilizers they like and give it a try. I'm assuming since it's basically nitrogen that giving it to them this time of year would be good for root and leaf development anyway. I just want to be sure I don't over do it and accidently kill them while attempting to keep the squirrels from killing them, lol...

Baz in Oz · #5 04-13-2011, 07:54 PM

I used a small handful in a big pot at repotting time and scattered it on top of the potting mix.

Don't know about squirrels but blood and bone is a great deterrent for hares. On the minus side, dogs love the stuff, even the de-odorised product.

From what I have read, blood and bone acts as a slow release fertilizer and it contains phosphorus.

Baz

sii · #6 04-14-2011, 07:31 PM

I think I have some bonemeal.

Can it be used on any type of orchid? I grow phals, dendrobium and oncidium indoors.

Paul Mc · #7 04-15-2011, 08:38 AM

My guess would be that since phals, dendrobiums and oncidiums need their roots to breathe more than cym's, phaius' and phiaocalanthe's (sp?), the answer would be no. It would probably not be wise as the bone meal might compress. Plus, my understanding is that the roots are a bit more sensitive. But I might be wrong, so if anyone else corrects me I would stand by them, not me, lol...

sii · #8 04-15-2011, 10:47 PM

Okay, I'll just wait some more for those blooms....

orchidsarefun · #9 04-09-2014, 08:38 PM

I am resurrecting this post for any further input.
AOS mentions blood meal as a top dressing for Lycastes. I want to try it - on my catasetums too.
I think it would be invaluable in getting these off to a good start........and would help in keeping critters away when I move them all outdoors.
Anybody had any bad/good experiences in using it ?

chrisdclarke · #10 04-10-2014, 04:48 AM

Id love to know as well, blood and bone is my mainstay for every other type of plant, would be great if the orchuds got a kick from it too!