Beginner Fertilizer Questions

[apimom]

I inherited 2 Phals from our office after they finished blooming. I am pretty good with house plants but never had Orchids.

So far I read in several locations on the internet to possibly use water obtained from rinsing out empty milk bags/cartons befor discarding them.

I understand that watering has to happen when needed and Orchids need fertilizer in simulation of their natural debris receiving simulation taking into consideration light, temperature, time of blooming cycle and potting media etc.

This milk rinsing water (I have rain water available, frozen in bottles to use during the winter months) sounds pretty unique to me. I assume this might simulate dead animal debris on their roots? I also assume this provides Nitrogen?

The next suggestions were tea leaves sprinkled on the media - again to provide Nitrogen. Somehow I can see this as a perfect mold growing media?

The third question is the fact that I have an aquarium and at any cleaning I obtain a superb collection of fine vintage partially decomposed fish poop. This is not fish emulsion but actual fish manure. I use it on my house plants for years and can see this being also a Nitrogen fertilizer.

I am aware that I have to balance this in the P and and K department but I am interested in people's opinion on the mentioned fertilizers.

Cheers apimom
Canada - also have Lady Slippers growing wild in the garden

[neb]

First off let me say and to the board

I have never heard of the milk carton thing. But I have used tea leaves and coffee to help repel slugs and snails. People have used water from an aquarium as long as it is a fresh water aquarium. I would suggest that you use rain, distilled or reveres osmosis water with a good urea free fertilizer. There is no one right way to take care of your plants you just need to find what media works for your water and fertilizer routine in your environment.

[silken]

Welcome. I'm sure the milk water won't kill the orchid. But unless it is skim milk, I would think the fats and what not in the milk would possibly make for a not very sterile media after a while. I know it would be minimal amounts but...

I agree, with neb, to just find a good balanced fertilizer and use 1/2 strength. As for the fish poo, it's likely fine albeit a bit smelly!

[tucker85]

I've been growing orchids for eight years and going to orchid society meetings for five years and I've never heard of the milk container idea. I also can't imagine what benefit it might provide. I've heard of tea bags and coffee grinds for some plants but I've never heard of them being used for orchids. As far as fish droppings, I have used liquid compost derived from composted chicken menure on my orchids and it didn't seem to do any harm. I don't know if it helped. I would just use a "complete" fertilizer. By that I mean a fertilized containing minor elements as well as the three major elements. As for water, I think modern hybrid orchids can tolerate most tap water. If you prefer to use rain water that's fine but usually not necessary except with a few sensitive species. Good luck.

[apimom]

Thank you for the fast replies.

Re milk, tea, ground chicken bones, egg shells, molasses, epsom salts etc. pls do a search on the internet and see how many milk leftover and all other items above suggestions for orchid fertilizer there are. Quite impressive numbers.

I am not saying this is the way to go - just wanted to know what orchid enthusiasts think of this or have used either one of the above.

I am on a well and the hardness of my water is really high. The other option is water from the softener - not usable either. That is the reason for the rain barrel.

The fish manure has no smell. Not sure why either. I use it for over 8 years now on my other house plants. It is very fine, granulated and is mixed into the soil top layer occasionally.

Cheers apimom

[silken]

I myself have never seen mention of food scraps being used on indoor potted orchids in this forum. Ground oyster shells are often used for added calcium so egg shells may have some value. But I would think they should be washed of any old egg residue first. For me, chicken bones etc. get smelly in the garbage in one day so I can't imagine having them in a warm humid growing area! Epsom salts are frequently used by forum members here to improve green colour and perk up orchids. I still would stay away from the milk as even my thoroughly rinsed out jugs smell a bit sour. But maybe others will chime in and say how wonderful it is. Or you could do an experiment with it and let us know If you are finding all kinds of endorsements on the web it must be OK.

[apimom]

Yes, milk or bones or any other organic material has to decompose before plants can take up nutrients.

The amount of actual milk in the water is really not a lot to cause any smell and the recommendation is actually fermented dairy products. Bones can be dried and ground up (i.e. bone meal available as fertilizer in nurseries).

The chemical process of fermentation will at the end of the process create organically produced nitrogen and Phosphorus in the soil.

I am not claiming to use this path. I was just interested if anybody on this board has experience with it or heard about it.

Here for instance:
Popular Homemade Orchid Fertilizer Recipes | Care for your Orchids.com
or
Essential Tips on Orchids Fertilizer - Home Made Fertilizers
or
How to Make Your Own Orchid Fertilizer | eHow.com
or
Homemade Orchid Fertilizer Recipes | eHow.com

I am starting an experiment as I have two plants. One will go commercial and one homemade. Will report on significant reactions.

Cheers apimom