Hi jk, I like Osmocote and use it for a lot of my orchids that need heavy feeding. I grow primarily in my home so feeding every week with liquid fertilizer is too messy and laborious.
Be aware that the release rate of Osmocote, and most other slow-release granule fertilizers, is somewhat dependent on temperature, so high temps = more fertilizer. I think this can be problematic in situations when the temperature spikes higher, as the release rate will suddenly go up and can 'burn' plants with too many salts. I haven't had a problem with that in my conditions, which stay pretty steady throughout the year.
Nutricote is the only brand I know of that is supposedly a true 'time-release,' where the nutrients are actually released at a steady rate regardless of temperature. I assume there is some contribution of moisture to the rates for all of these as well, as if the granules and media are dry there's nowhere to release nutrients into. Maybe someone with more knowledge of the subject will chime in?
--Nat
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